The dragon breathes "air of seniority"

Long, long time ago… actually, one day ago, which was yesterday, I had my nostrils breathing with steam; had my blood boiling to a hundred degree Celsius. The following was the corporate gossip conversation between me and my male colleague in our area office. Gossip is an application similar to Yahoo! Messenger but is intended only in the corporate set-up.

Colleague       : “my name” gud am

Colleague       :  ayaw na lang andtoa ang limketkai kay na contact na nako…ty

Me                    : ay oks.. salamat sir “colleague”

My colleague was informing me not to contact Limketkai Mall for he had already talked with the concern person. So, the ever respectful me, thanked him.

Two minutes after, I saw my gossip message window blinking. When I checked it, this colleague had a message, which he intends to give to my other colleague at the area office, but he accidentally sent to me.

Colleague       : Vee…tan-awa ra jud ang gireply ni “my name” sa akong request sa iyaha imbes sorry ang isulti nagpasalamt pa!

He was saying that instead of me feeling sorry for not complying with his request, I had the guts to say “thank you” to him. I could forget this had happened. But by spreading this false accusation to another colleague is uncalled for and being unprofessional. As what President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said in her last SONA, “Don’t say BAD words in public!”

This all started with his request of checking or getting confirmation on the lease contract of one of my clients with Limketkai Mall here in CDO. The lease contract was sent by him through fax late afternoon of Wednesday, last week. He called me mid-morning the following day as to what information I should gather from Limketkai but without telling me if the request is urgent.

That Thursday, I had reviewed an application of Gata Daku MPC, had talked with the General Manager as to what documentary requirements they missed to send. I had paid a visit and interviewed 1^st Valley Bank’s officer for the renewal of their line. I had coordinated with MIKRO Financing for the project visit on the following day and what documents to prepare. In short, it was almost 5PM when I was back at the office. Professionalism will dictate that it is unethical calling a person seeking information first thing before/after lunchtime or at almost 5PM, the end of his office hour, except, of course, if it’s urgent.

Friday, I was on field, 100-kilometers away from the office and from Limketkai Mall. Would you expect me to call Limketkai through my mobile phone when my mobile load allowance is only P30.00? I had load allowance of P30.00 because I’m on travel. In other working days, I don’t.

Came Monday, that was yesterday. I knew that it’s against protocol to call an office, unless urgent, early Monday morning. For marketing people the best time to call is in the afternoon of Monday, if the concern can’t wait. It is still best to call during office hours from Tuesdays to Thursdays. Caring none, I telephoned Limketkai Mall at 9:30AM but the bitch’s head was plastered to another line. Then, came the message of this colleague in our corporate gossip messenger. So, of course, I thanked him for I don’t have to spend more time contacting this bitch’s head.

He misread my statement and even wanted my other colleague to know that I was remiss with my responsibilities. This is unacceptable!

Reading my excuses (read: explanations) above, you’ll probably arrive at a generalization that I was somewhat remiss in my duties. But reading further below, you’ll come to conclude that this writer has nothing to be sorry about, as being implied by my colleague.

My primary obligation is to market the company’s financing products and does account management in my area, among others. The credit investigation and appraisal reports, regarding the accounts I submitted, were done by me before until an office memo came, which clearly spells out my function and relieving me from credit investigation and appraisal works unless requested by my area manager or supervisor. It is also for reason of check and balance. This colleague performs now as our credit investigator.

What he asked me to do is to check on the account of my client with Limketkai Mall, without a request or knowledge of my area manager/supervisor. Usually, my manager will personally inform me of such request. In short, he wants me to do his primary duty.

I don’t usually mind this direct request from a colleague for sake of pakikisama. But he’s beating me below the belt. After all, why should I be sorry for not doing his work? If he was able to get that info by himself, why should asked for my favor?

This is actually a concern for many Filipino seniors – seniors in terms of stay in the company and in terms of age. They think that because they had been in the company for many years, they all have the power to summon newly hired to do their work without considering that newly hired have their own responsibilities too. It’s of no concern if these seniors are the direct supervisors of these newly hired. But it is seldom the case. It is even unethical for senior officers to get the staff of other departments without the consent of their supervisors.

So to my self-serving colleague, should I feel sorry for what had happened? Sorry your VERY BIG FAT ASS!