psychological vs. physical (Score 1)

Ok, I can't compare with the physical environments some people have described, but how about a little psychological tourture?

One of my first jobs was as a programmer for a tiny company (3 employees (including me), plus boss).

The employment contract basically said "Anything you think of, at any time while in our employ is ours," among other things. I thought that was weird, so I took it to a lawyer, and he said "Don't worry, none of this is enforceable." I think that's a bit strange that one should be such a control freak, but everyone seemed very nice, and the pay was better than the other prospects I had, so I took the job.

I worked there for a few months. Everything was great. Then one day I walked over to my colleague's office and found her crying. I asked what the matter was. Initially she didn't want to tell me, but eventually I found out that our boss had just called her. Hmm.

Another time, I went into the receptionist area, where the other programmer and the receptionist were talking. The phone rang, and both women JUMPED, one spilling coffee, the other RUNNING back to her office. When the other programmer was safely in her office, the receptionist picked up the phone. I guess one shouldn't be away from their desk.

Eventually they told me a few stories from their history there. There used to be another programmer. He was a single guy, raising a little girl by himself. He also had an obesity problem. Our office was on the 3rd floor, and his doctor told him that if he kept working there, his knees were going to give out, and he would be in no condition to take care of his daughter.

Distraught, he comes into work and asks is there is someway that he can work at home, or if they can work out some other arrangement. The boss says no, and asks him if he is going to quit. He tries to explain what the doctor told him, but the boss slammed the door in his face, and told him not to come back, and wouldn't even open the door so that the sobbing man could get his stuff.

"What the hell did I get myself into," I started thinking to myself.

There were other things, but I think this example will suffice. Things gradually got worse, and I planned my exit to another company that payed me less money, but extracted less sanity.