Integrating Faith & The Workplace Strikes Again
I'm not sure where to begin. The last couple weeks I've posted alot concerning things at Covenant that I was upset about. I love Covenant. I loved going there, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
But loving an "institution" is really just loving the people there, which I do. But sometimes the people there really piss me off.
My bud Rob Uthlaut got fired from Covenant today. He was fired from Tech Services, which in my experience as an IT guy, is probably the worst IT deparments I've come across yet. But in the past I've always set that aside, and tried to get along with them as people. Meeting Rob was great, because here was a guy in Tech Services that wasn't just a decent IT guy, but was great socially (something we programming folk aren't naturally inclined to).
But anyways, hearing that they fired Rob, and how they went about firing Rob, is one of most digusting un-Christ-like things I've heard in a long time.
So Rob's working at his computer, busting his tail running AV stuff AND setting up & maintaining the new wireless network (easily a job for 3 people), and Jeff Barr the second in command of Tech Services, walks in with a box & an HR person and tells Rob he's fired and to put his personal things in that box. Rob then asks him if this was his last day, and Jeff responds: "No, I'm here to tell you this is your last hour." Jeff then tells him he's there to wait for him to packup his things to escort him to his car and off campus.
Oh, I'm not done yet. Rob's Dad was in town and in the hall-way, so Rob ducks into the hall-way to tell his Dad to bring the car around, and when Rob steps back into the office Jeff Barr has already logged him off and changed his password, so Rob couldn't even get his personal e-mails and files, which are now technically "property of Covenant College."
I've known for about a year now, since Rob and I started getting to know one another, that he'd been having some trouble in the workplace. What was always so bizarre about it, is that it always seemed like things that could be taken care of with standard, straight-forward, loving Christian conversation, and if anything Rob said (which I'm inclined to believe, given my experience with Rob & with the other Tech Service personell) were true, I feel he's definately tried to work his hardest and get along with his co-workers.
But when people talk behind your back, and you receive cold e-mails instead of face-to-face conversations from the people you're supposed to be a team with, it's no wonder somebody would feel trapped and ostracized in the workplace. I've gotten in a couple of fights with Rob (he wouldn't be my friend if we hadn't), so I know he's not perfect, but if the way he was fired is any reflection on the way he was treated during his employment there, he's better off not being in that depression, spiritually dampening environment.
Well, here's to Rob. He was the only person in Tech Services during my 4 1/2 years at Covenant who ever took the time to un-geek themselves and talk to me like I was a person, like a Christian should. I love him for it. He's also the most (and only) loved Tech Services member by the rest of campus, if what my friends tell me is correct. I hope you find a sweet job where you get to work hard surrounded by folks who'll treat you with respect.
Josiah Q. Roe | By Josiah Roe | 07:35 PM
Comments
ute! it's been a few years since I've seen you, but my prayers are with you man.
it's no shock that cov IT can't abide with someone who is remotely competant, much less a nice guy. crap, that makes me mad.
Posted by: bobw at September 2, 2003 07:59 PM
I don't know Rob, but I like to send some good wishes/good karma/prayer to him. He sounds like a good person. Anyone working in IT who's not a loner/geek is always gonna rub the other techs the wrong way. It's part of the reason I moved from being a network admin to web design.
Posted by: Mike at September 2, 2003 08:33 PM
Yeah it pisses me off too. I know Christians are not perfect but I can't help but think there has to be a nicer way to do all this. We recently had massive firings at the ministry I work at and there was nothing but open love and support for those who were unable to stay. *sigh* I'm sorry to hear this Rob and will keep you in my prayers.
Is it all that surprising? These people act like they have no heart.
Posted by: mkrueger at September 2, 2003 08:35 PM
For those of you interested, you can read my post about my firing (which includes my termination letter) here. Thanks Josiah for your support and also to the rest of you who have had such kind things to say. Basically I feel it came down to the fact that they had no idea of the level of customer service I was trying to provide to the people there. The escort to the car thing is SOP at most companies I believe, so I was less concerned about that. What I concern myself with is the fact that my co-workers were apparently afraid to talk to me about perceived issues with me, but chose to tell my boss instead, and he compiled everything. I would have preferred that they use the Biblical method outlined in Matthew 18, but I know that I am better off somewhere else anyway. Thank you all for your prayers as it is a great encouragement during this difficult time. I plan to stay in the area, so if anyone has suggestions of people I might talk to, please e-mail me.
Posted by: RobU at September 2, 2003 10:14 PM
Complete and utter crap! Rob was one of the greatest guys I ran into at CC. Don't know him well but he was always helpful and hard working. In my experience CC has a way of leaving people (not all) jaded and bitter. Sorry to hear, Rob. Jos, can't say in the least that I love CC but I do love a bunch of the people there.
Posted by: ColeSlaw at September 4, 2003 01:23 PM
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