Need some thoughts/input on a BAD situation at work
- Thread starter mod29fan
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BarbC
Member
Stay out of it.
If what they are doing isn't directly impacting you, it soon will. And it will be your head that rolls.
If what they are doing isn't directly impacting you, it soon will. And it will be your head that rolls.
The thought that if the head man knew what was really going on, there'd be changes has probably existed forever. Sooner or later most of us realize that the head man knows whats going on and, for his own reasons, doesn't act. Or doesn't act until their own well being is threatened.
cowboy117
Member
MYOB if it's not affecting you would be my advice.
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What I was about to say.
"Small business with 5 in the shop."
If the owner can't watch 5 people, he may be too stupid to enlighten. Then again, maybe he doesn't care.
As a friend once told me when I asked if his manager was stealing from him- "Sure, he's stealing, but he doesn't steal more than he's worth."
If the business is rocking along, and the owner is happy, he may be content with the status quo. Rocking the boat may not ingratiate you to him.
Keep yourself covered and do your job.
bk43
Member
I've seen this a couple times. Always, a whistle-blower or two gets axed before the problem is addressed. Shut up, do your job and wait until the problem is taken care of is good advice.
Like Barb says, stay out of it.
Bob
Like Barb says, stay out of it.
Bob
The Highlander
Member
As the owner of a couple of small businesses, I have a little different perspective. I'd want to know. BUT, you had dang well better have proof that is not refutable.
And yes, I know of a couple of my employees that are slackers. I have my reasons for keeping them around, mainly because they are young and I do actually see a little hope for them. And at least one is young, and in a bad homelife. I keep them away from that at least for a little while.
I also handle all employee problems in private. So you may not be aware that I have indeed been on them pretty hard. It may look like I ignore it to you, but I do not let a disciplinary talk with one person be known to someone else. Bad management.
And yes, I know of a couple of my employees that are slackers. I have my reasons for keeping them around, mainly because they are young and I do actually see a little hope for them. And at least one is young, and in a bad homelife. I keep them away from that at least for a little while.
I also handle all employee problems in private. So you may not be aware that I have indeed been on them pretty hard. It may look like I ignore it to you, but I do not let a disciplinary talk with one person be known to someone else. Bad management.
Wheelgunner840
Member
The comments so far have pretty much covered the spectrum. I also work for a small company. There were a couple of slackers. While I really wanted to tell the manager about the lack of work ethic of these people, I just kept my mouth shut, and made sure that I documented what I did every day.
My company was just recently bought out by another company, and these two folks are no longer with us. It turns out that the manager knew all along who was going the extra mile and who was doing the least acceptable amount of work. They are no longer with the company.
The bottom line is that you should keep a good record of what YOU do, and not butt in to what others are doing. You already made one mistake by bringing it up to the manager. If he is condoning the behavior that you describe, that puts you in a bad light as a tattle tale. If you go over his head now, you are toast!
Keep your mouth shut and do your job to the best of your ability. If the behavior of others harms you financially or otherwise, then that is a different story.
WG840
My company was just recently bought out by another company, and these two folks are no longer with us. It turns out that the manager knew all along who was going the extra mile and who was doing the least acceptable amount of work. They are no longer with the company.
The bottom line is that you should keep a good record of what YOU do, and not butt in to what others are doing. You already made one mistake by bringing it up to the manager. If he is condoning the behavior that you describe, that puts you in a bad light as a tattle tale. If you go over his head now, you are toast!
Keep your mouth shut and do your job to the best of your ability. If the behavior of others harms you financially or otherwise, then that is a different story.
WG840
Agree with WR Moore and Lee. In that small of a shop, the owner should be aware of what is going on. If he's stupid and isn't, he probably won't listen because he likely doesn't care. If he isn't stupid, there may be reasons why he hasn't stopped the problem.
That doesn't mean the problem will go on indefinitely. In due time, the right situation may come along that will enable the boss to put things in order.
Documenting and mentioning this to the boss could go either way. In my case, I always listen to the employees - but I do my own homework, and I draw my own conclusions. If the boss is that type of character, mentioning the problem might end up in a positive way. If the boss is a different sort, I would stay out of it.
Whatever you do, by all means, mind your ps & qs and keep a distance from the questionable employees, lest you acquire the appearance of guilt by association.
That doesn't mean the problem will go on indefinitely. In due time, the right situation may come along that will enable the boss to put things in order.
Documenting and mentioning this to the boss could go either way. In my case, I always listen to the employees - but I do my own homework, and I draw my own conclusions. If the boss is that type of character, mentioning the problem might end up in a positive way. If the boss is a different sort, I would stay out of it.
Whatever you do, by all means, mind your ps & qs and keep a distance from the questionable employees, lest you acquire the appearance of guilt by association.
jubela#4
Member
I work at a government agency that regulates and enforces wage and hour laws and have done so for over 21 years.
My advice to you is to let this situation play itself out as it will in time,the manager will be found out by the owner and the manager's pet will also.
Right now it sounds like the owner would not be receptive to any negative information about this manager. The owner will find out about this situation when it really starts affecting HIS pocketbook. That is when he will do something about it.
People like this get away with stuff like this for a while but sooner or later their activities are uncovered then they are gone. At least that has been my experience down through time. JMHO.
My advice to you is to let this situation play itself out as it will in time,the manager will be found out by the owner and the manager's pet will also.
Right now it sounds like the owner would not be receptive to any negative information about this manager. The owner will find out about this situation when it really starts affecting HIS pocketbook. That is when he will do something about it.
People like this get away with stuff like this for a while but sooner or later their activities are uncovered then they are gone. At least that has been my experience down through time. JMHO.
Going around a manager will get you fired everytime...just do your time...be as good as you can...and look the other way. My fear would be you would lose your job. Not fair...but the owner most likely understands more than you think...maybe not...but not worth losing your job over and it's not your responsibly to figure it out and thats a good thing. Jobs are very hard to find right now and you like it so look the other way for now and see what time does. Good luck to you!
OP
mod29fan
Member
Thanks to all for the responses. It's a sticky situation to say the least. It's just plain wrong what these cheats are up to...it hurts the company bottom line which in turn affects all of us who work there.
It seems the best case scenario is cool out for now, have another position lined up elsewhere then deal with the problem and see where the owner takes it.
Thanks again to all for the great posts.
It seems the best case scenario is cool out for now, have another position lined up elsewhere then deal with the problem and see where the owner takes it.
Thanks again to all for the great posts.
649 Bodyguard
Member
If I may, after reading alot of the fourm members remarks, I would have to agree with handejector on this one.
from my past experiance in cases just like yours. I have found that although against my own principles,the best policy is to just do YOUR job and keep quiet. I am a slow learner but this is a matter I have considerable experiance with. Management LOVES those that "go with the flow".
I agree. I was in a similar situation. Fortunately I found another job and was able to leave. A year or so later I saw the owner and the manager out together at a bar. It turns out they knew each other from way back. The reason the manager was acting that way was that he knew he had an "in". If I had gone to the owner I would have probably been let go or shunned.
lets recap.....
1. employee who's in cahoots with the shop manager
2. The shop manager is allowing all this to happen
3. the owner thinks his manager is bottled sunshine
4. I like this position and don't want to cut my own throat
this is a no brainer....keep your head down, your work motivated and your smile wide....
NOTHING is perfect in this world and you cant get rid of every dandelion in the grass....
1. employee who's in cahoots with the shop manager
2. The shop manager is allowing all this to happen
3. the owner thinks his manager is bottled sunshine
4. I like this position and don't want to cut my own throat
this is a no brainer....keep your head down, your work motivated and your smile wide....
NOTHING is perfect in this world and you cant get rid of every dandelion in the grass....
I'd just do my job,line up another job and if the owner asks,tell him the truth.Odds are the owner knows and considers it worthwhile for now.
jaykellogg
Absent Comrade
In situations like this I go by "The boss may not always be right, but he is always the boss." I am afraid if you bring it up to the owner you may be called a troublemaker.
I understand it is stressful to work in an environment like this. Do your job well, document what you do, and keep your eye out for another job.
If it helps any, almost everyone I know has worked for an idiot at one time or another. My brother had one boss that he would take a voice recorder to the meetings and record everything that was said. He had another boss that was his supervisor for less than one day and he got a butt chewing from that one.
I understand it is stressful to work in an environment like this. Do your job well, document what you do, and keep your eye out for another job.
If it helps any, almost everyone I know has worked for an idiot at one time or another. My brother had one boss that he would take a voice recorder to the meetings and record everything that was said. He had another boss that was his supervisor for less than one day and he got a butt chewing from that one.
Old TexMex
Member
The Three C's:
I didn't Cause it
I can't Control it
I can't Cure it
I didn't Cause it
I can't Control it
I can't Cure it
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