I cannot win

Quilty

When I took this job in April, I was told that it would be nerve wracking, particularly at the end of the year, as the costs have a way of creeping upward without any hints and that we HAD to come in at a particular number or face the firing squad.

In July, that particular number was reduced by $200k. I worked my backside off to make sure that costs would come in close to that number.

In November, that number was again reduced by another $200k. I had to do some fancy footwork, but again, I worked myself into a lather to get us down that $200k (it doesn't sound like a lot, but when you're dealing with absolutes, $200k in a budget is a BIG deal).

Today, I am looking at the prelimary numbers for the year and we are a full $1.2MM  under budget. That sounds pretty good, right? Except we don't want to come in under budget. We want to come in AT the budget number. Not exactly on it, but within a few thousand dollars of it. No problem; I still have a few tricks up my sleeves and they don't involve spending money. I'd personally much rather be in this position than the opposite (over budget) and it's easily managed.

Can you believe people are FREAKING out and having a cow because we're UNDER budget?? The emails are flying, I'm being accused of missing something, or crediting something more than once, or any number of things that would allude to the fact that I don't know how to do my job! All of this because we're UNDER budget. If we were over budget it would be the same thing but I think they could accept being over better! This is unprecedented, I'm told. They've NEVER come in under budget. And yet, I have accounted for absolutely everything I know about, and there will likely be a couple of surprises I don't know about.

I swear, people have NO appreciation for talent and hard work. Instead, You get smacked around for doing better than they expect.

I'm only partially kidding about that last part ...

JENFEF21

Sounds like they don't necessarily think YOU can't do your job well, just that they don't know how to deal with fact that you are quite talented and pulled off what before was impossible.  The accusations would definitely have me fuming, but I'd try not to let them get to you much. Once they finish the panicking they're used to doing every year-end they're going to realize that you didn't miss anything, and, hopefully, those flying e-mails will soon contain "Good job!".

OSUWifey09

I agree - that's AWESOME that you came in that much under budget. If my university came in that much under budget, we'd all probably get raises.

Hopefully soon, they'll slow their horses down and start giving credit where credit is due.

burkems

One thing I've learned about people is that they thrive on drama in one way or another. (Some thrive on saying they hate drama but c'mon..still drama.) People will calm down once it sorts out. Hopefully you get the credit at that point and can say "See? WTF were you freaking out about?

justrachet

burkems:

One thing I've learned about people is that they thrive on drama in one way or another. (Some thrive on saying they hate drama but c'mon..still drama.) People will calm down once it sorts out. Hopefully you get the credit at that point and can say "See? WTF were you freaking out about?

So true! 

Vikki2pay

justrachet:

burkems:

One thing I've learned about people is that they thrive on drama in one way or another. (Some thrive on saying they hate drama but c'mon..still drama.) People will calm down once it sorts out. Hopefully you get the credit at that point and can say "See? WTF were you freaking out about?

So true! 

Totally!!

But great job at coming in so far under budget!!

Cutiepie811

JENFEF21:

Sounds like they don't necessarily think YOU can't do your job well, just that they don't know how to deal with fact that you are quite talented and pulled off what before was impossible.  The accusations would definitely have me fuming, but I'd try not to let them get to you much. Once they finish the panicking they're used to doing every year-end they're going to realize that you didn't miss anything, and, hopefully, those flying e-mails will soon contain "Good job!".

Excellent job!

janda309

Can't you tell them they can use the extra to put back into the fund for all they dished out for the oil spill?  (Read that as dripping with sarcasm) 

Oh....you could tell them you would be happy to add it to your paycheck and wa-la!  Problem solved!

Arctic_Seal

Very good...  That's quite the accomplishment.