Three weeks ago I asked a question, not once but several times.  “Do you want the requests for 1099’s to be mailed out to the vendors?”  Three different people said, “Oh yes, we have to do that before Jan 31.”  The ‘we’ of course is ‘me’…

Diligently I mailed out the requests…all 2000 of them.  Today I get the ‘why did you do that’ speech.  Seems that several people (8) complained that they got them in the mail and why were we (a company) asking for their tax id/social security number?  You would think that these people grew up under a turnip to ask that question…this is an annual event…we are not the only company that does this and it hardly constitutes an invasion of privacy.  Like our government can wire tap, any Tom, Dick or Harry can sell your information on line but we can’t mail you a letter asking for information?  *Sighs…..

So when my boss asked me why I sent these out, I again explained to him.  He seemed surprised that I took the bull by the horns and mailed them out…I said…”I asked, I was told yes, I had the letter approved, it was mailed.  If I misunderstood I’m sorry, I accept responsibility but I did ask.”  I think that shocked him more than anything else..he’s used to people passing the buck and blaming others.  So after my explanation, he’s ok with it but the sales guys are still screaming.  From all the finger pointing you’d have thot I’d boiled their first borns in oil or something.  Instead of explaining to the vendors the reason behind this request (its um…like required) it was easier to shoot the messenger.   Thank the gods this job is over in 5 + days.  Give me a job where I can work with intelligent people who aren’t wishy washy…I’d much rather know where I stand right or wrong then watch them flip flop anytime the words accountability and responsibility raise their heads while they look around desperately for someone else to blame for it.