CLOCK CREEPZ

After all the stuff I've been through with my hot and cold employers, I just knew stepping into this last position would leave me with plenty of things to talk (shit) about.

I've said before: People tend to think that challenges appear like objects in the road, but many times, they're more like the trees and air surrounding you. In other words, you will find yourself immersed in the challenge without even realizing—something like a Genjutsu.

What you're about to read is especially satisfying for me, because it pertains to people who probably still believe that I'm a clueless negro. Unfortunately, I understand many things; One being that unexpected persons like to lurk on my socials. Unexpected persons like co-workers, who are more than likely LURKING in a thousand other ways.

With that being said, my gameplan is to compose this much-needed story, then post it for the public immediately after I chunk this little job the deuce! My former associates will be surprised to see how much they've taught me in this particular subject: Identifying people who operate around you; Concealed moves that are NOT in your best interest.

Before I go further, I'll ask that you don't confuse this topic with "Signs That You're Getting Fired." Although the intention to terminate is a good example of a sneaky move, it only applies to people who are not valued.

You don't have to be disliked for people to hide things from you. In fact, you could be one of the team's most valuable players. Sometimes people operate in secret from fear of upsetting you or losing you, which is why sneakiness can be the burden of even the most reliable.

Intuitive Alarms

You'll be happy to know that this won't even need to be a long-length subject, because I managed to slice it up into just three major points; Three primary signals that reveal you may be getting left out of a conversation about something that affects you.

1 — FEAR OF ENGAGEMENT

In more jobs than one, I've had to ask, "Why does it feel like I need to reintroduce myself every time I work?" Seriously. No matter how good things seem to be going on one shift, I'll be approached with extreme caution the very next. It's as if people believe speaking to me is a dangerous idea; As if they believe I'll bite their head off any minute or fully ignore them altogether.

Perhaps this would make sense if our last encounter was TENSE. However, that's hardly the case. Most of the time I'm departing work with kind farewells and a job well done, so why would someone be too uncertain to even say hello?

I'll tell you why. Some people have a hard time speaking to you, because they know deep down that they don't deserve to. They know what they do in your absence, they know what they say behind your back, and they know which schemes they've participated in.

Unfortunately, what they can never be sure of is whether or not you have picked up on it! This is why, for them, the very first interaction of any given day can feel like answering the dreaded questions: Is he oblivious?—or is he upset? Should I grab a sword and shield before I greet him?

2 — LACK OF CONSULTATION

When the time comes for you to be confused by the things happening in your work, you may rightfully assume that the explanation is near. After all, you're part of the team, so it's only fair for you to know what's going on. Especially when it comes to what you're putting in and what you're getting out.

Here's where it gets tricky! Naturally, your superiors are obligated to always have good reasons (excuses) for things they do, so in most cases, they'll have something to say when the questions come. However, you may find that answers NEVER come UNLESS you ask. In other words, if you don't bring it up, then they won't insist on clarifying. This is a red flag.

When it comes to significant changes or losses, you shouldn't have to go FETCH for answers. Solutions for issues and criteria for rewards should be made clear before the decisions are finalized. If you find yourself losing a game that you didn't even know you were playing, that simply means someone's mind has BEEN made up. In many cases, a made up mind is not going to play fair.

When someone is making a move against you that contradicts morals or rules, they will mostly hope that you don't complain (or notice at all). In the event that you ARE to notice, you'll probably want an explanation, so the master deceivers will prepare good excuses in advance.

Unfortunately, the thing about LIES is that they can be hard to deliver, so most people would rather not tell them unless they absolutely must; Hence the reason why your much-needed conversation is being skipped or extremely delayed; Hence the reason why details you should have known sooner only come when it's too late. Those who operate on good and fair intentions will insist on making things clear—not wait for you to chase them down and corner them!

3 — EXCESSIVE SURVEILLANCE

Not just excessive, but also furtive. (Get a dictionary, homie.) Don't get me wrong, I fully understand that the people in charge have to pay attention to what's going on. Everybody can't be trusted.

But, but, but—even under the responsibility of having to watch closely, there is still such a thing as looking too hard! More importantly, people who watch others too closely are often hiding something themselves. Let's break this down!

For one, I don't give a damn where you work. I promise you, your bosses have other shit to be doing! Period. When the amount of hours spent looking at camera footage outweighs the amount of footsteps taken in the day, something is OFF.

I have to emphasize that people who SPEND time watching others also WASTE time by not working; They neglect labor, service, and tasks for the sake of observing people in secret. On one hand, watching cameras is a great way to get away from doing real work. Nonetheless, the people who do it are often looking for "something particular" even if they don't know what that "something" is.

I saw a social media post once that said people who watch you excessively are "preying on your downfall." That's a good start, but this subject is a bit of a grey area in the sense that one can't be certain of what exactly is being "looked for" when they are constantly being watched.

However, if it's not necessary to be watching you, then you can best believe that something in the milk isn't clean. They could be watching for: (1) Changes in your behavior or productivity to see if their tricks and traps have upset you. (2) A flaw they can use against you if they have to explain themselves in the future; A reason to count you out. (3) Anything that verifies all the things they've been hearing—whatever that may be.

All of that shit doesn't matter though! What matters is whether or not it feels appropriate for them to be up your ass! If you know in your heart that you hustle harder than everyone on the roster; That your register has never even been a penny short; That you've never even called out on a single shift; or that you have more APTITUDE than your peers (that shows in the work), then you are JUSTIFIED.

You are justified in raising the question, "Why y'all on my d**k so hard?" At the end of the day, if the circumstances of your workplace don't offer up a valid reason to make you the focus, then trust and believe that something is happening behind the scenes.

But anyways...

I could share a handful of other ideas when it comes to trickery at work, but I'm not the kind of pirate who hides all of his treasure in the same place. With that being said, stay tuned for The Supervisor's Weakness is Psychic Types on Vocal!

I just HAD to write a second chapter that breaks down a few other habits of superiors who intend to break us! As long as there's people out there thinking they're clever enough to deceive me, there will always be a great opportunity to use wisdom and pick up my pen. (Because if I stab them with anything else, I might lose more than just my job.)