Those spouses . . . !
mjindra
290 Posts
Ray made a comment somewhere earlier about his wife viewing a recent post about Men - Old and Gray . . . something to that effect.
I have to admit, if my husband viewed some of these posts, he would wonder what it is I do during the day. He's already wondering why somebody would send me an HR Hero shirt, try explaining that out of the blue.
Considering I'm not working super hard today, x:D, I thought I would take a poll . . .
Do your spouses / significant others really understand what you do at your job? Both the serious side and the fun side?
I'll answer first: My husband is periodically a discipline problem at his employer, so we have some pretty tough battles in the evenings at times. It makes life interesting.
I have to admit, if my husband viewed some of these posts, he would wonder what it is I do during the day. He's already wondering why somebody would send me an HR Hero shirt, try explaining that out of the blue.
Considering I'm not working super hard today, x:D, I thought I would take a poll . . .
Do your spouses / significant others really understand what you do at your job? Both the serious side and the fun side?
I'll answer first: My husband is periodically a discipline problem at his employer, so we have some pretty tough battles in the evenings at times. It makes life interesting.
Comments
Her work experience is limited to teaching, in a private school, tutoring at home and PT in a local community college. She has no concept of what happens in a mfg environment, all the labor laws we deal with, the egos, the bruised feelings, etc. Sometimes, I really envy her.
My husband's favorite reply "You make me glad I am retired." I often sigh when I leave him and my two Yorkies asleep in the bed every morning.
My husband does understand a great deal about my job, my company and all the major players. He actually remembers situations that occurred years ago better than I do. He really hasn't so much advise that he can give me, but he has been a tremendous support to me especially these past few years where we have undergone some difficult cultural and operational changes. I don't know how I could do this job without him.
Elizabeth
Also, like another poster mentioned he sees things very black & white and has the answer to everything! He doesn't see all the nuances!
My wife runs a labschool childcare operation for a community colloge and has a lot of HR issues. She is almost independent from the HR department at the college, but must deal with a handbook created for an educational institution. That said, our philosophies are very different. She has a hard-nosed, tough love kind of attitude and takes a no-nonsense approach that is refreshing. My organization is a non-profit that I think hired every feeler within 100 square miles. This attitude goes all the way to the Exec. Dir. (who will deny it). It is refreshing to discuss issues because we can generally bracket a problem or question with our different approaches. If we do not get to caught up with argueing about it, the solution is often somewhere in the middle.
Oh, wait! I can't say that, can I? It runs afoul of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act!!!
I know he doesn't understand why I just can't get excited about opportunities that aren't HR related and I think he's afraid I'll refuse work that isn't HR. And, to be honest, I don't know what I'll do if an alternative offer is made.
I like your son's attitude. x:D
He knows to give me sympathy and succor when I spend an hour or so after work crying in frustration every once in a while.
One thing I have learned is to balance good and bad news with her. If I always share my frustrations and complaints, she gets a skewed view of things. I realized that in a big way a few years ago.
The only thing she doesn't seem to always understand is the complexity of some issues. She is fairly black and white too. Sometimes she can't understand why we put up with a problem employee.
She definitely understands HR though and she knows I have an important job. That helps alot!
Paul in CB
Are you checkerboard patterns or stripes or some sort of paisley? I suspect the kids are very interesting.x;-)
Paul in Cannon Beach
Marc
I used to have some light purple pants that I wore with an Arnold Palmer hot pink shirt, big white belt and white golf shoes.
I literally frightened the ball into the hole!
Paul in CB
My SO is a validation engineer. He understands very little about HR, but he is supportive and gives me lots of credit for everything I have to deal with in HR.
Chari
PS - don't worry mdm, it's only the first five years that are the hardest!
He's a sales rep for a computer furniture/cabinet manufacturer, and he offices at home. He spends a lot of his time on the phone, driving, or both, and I think he envies the fact that I'm around people all day. On the other hand, although he's not retired, he's always still asleep in the morning with our two cats when I leave for work - sometimes I wish I had that luxury!