One Week Is All It Takes

I have been at my new job for one week now. It is obvious to me that there are differences between my old job and my new job (as one would expect). I just want to highlight some of the differences thus far . . . .

Cleanliness
My office:
New Job - There is an actual person who comes and collects my trash EVERYDAY!Sometimes I only have like three little things in there and he takes it away anyway! He even gives me a brand new bag . . . .
Old Job - Let's just say there is no person, basically the person is me.
New Job - When I arrived, my desk was completely clean.
Old Job - When I arrived I found all the drawers, cabinets and files, were full of stuff that belonged to the person that sat there before me. The kicker . . . it was my job to decide what to keep, what to pitch, and where to put the stuff.
The Restroom:
New Job - There is actually a nice aroma that comes from the bathroom when you first open the door. I think it might be an air freshener. The toilets are clean, the floor is clean, and contrary to popular belief . . . there should not be scum around the faucets of the sink! Hold on to your hats ladies, but I'm pretty sure they employ a JANITOR!!!!!
Old Job - Is there really anything left to say???? Ok, how about hairs on the floor, scum on the sink, over-stuffed sanitary napkin dispensers. Yeah, you get the idea . . .

Supplies
New Job - My boss made sure my desk was stocked with everything she thought I'd need. I think her comment was "I got you four different kinds of highlighters because I wasn't sure what kind you would like." Uh, yeah . . .
Old Job - "Gee, I guess you probably need a calculator . . . and something to write with."
New Job - "If there is anything else you need, just let me know." So, I noticed that I didn't have a keyboard tray. So, my boss gave me the office supply catalog and I found a cheap one. I showed it to her and her response was - "well, we just ordered these desks, so let me get that company in here and they can fit something on for you." I said, "well, that sounds expensive and I don't want anything really fancy." Her reply was - "well, we want you to be comfortable."
Old Job - "If you need something that isn't in the supply cabinet, just let us know, but anything over $100 needs approval first." So, basically - don't order anything over $100. (Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating just a little!)

My Boss
New Boss - On my first day she took me out to lunch to welcome me to the team - and she paid.
Old Boss - I don't think my boss ever took me out to lunch . . . no, really . . . in over six years I don't think she ever did! (ladies, am I wrong???)
New Boss - She is a workaholic!!! Just during my first week, I bet she put in 70 hours. She is there at sun-up and she doesn't leave until sun-down. It's slightly creepy.
Old Boss - Towards the end she was hardly there and during my last week, she wasn't there at all. (important vacation you know) For awhile she would leave at 3:00 every day. It was nice - you can't have everything better!!

Communication
New Job - On my first day my boss took me around to all the different departments and introduced me to people. They even sent out a memo to announce my arrival.
Old Job - I don't specifically remember being taken around the office, but I have seen others come through. This is basically how the word gets out . . . "hey, did you see that new girl?" "Yeah, who is she, and what does she do?" You ask around until you find someone that knows something.
New Job - They have an HR department that gives you an ORIENTATION on your first day.
Old Job - Ummm . . . there is one guy, and he doesn't really know much about HR. Out of 30+ employees, I don't think a single one had an orientation.

Alright, alright . . . I know what you're thinking . . . my old job couldn't possibly have been that bad. Perhaps I am a teensy bit bitter. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed JP up until the end . . . my new job definately has it's drawbacks. I am putting in more hours and it's really hard for me to start over. I just keep telling myself that I won't be the "new girl" forever.

This whole week I am reminded of a phrase that a good friend told me after she left JP . . .

"Life is good after Jones" Ya know what . . . . she was right.