My boss isn't my boss!

[purplebelle]

I'm really feeling confused and upset right now.

I have been at my 1st job since graduating college for almost 6 months now. I work in an HR office where there is an HR manager and HR Director and other HR positions. When i was first hired i was told by the HR manager that she was my boss. She has given me tasks from her job that she "doesn't have enough time to complete" for as long as i have been there. She'll have my handle new people we've hired (their paperwork, etc.) and just do any task that she doesnt want to do, or says she doesnt have enough time for.

Today i met with the director b/c he heard of me completing some task that he asked the manager to do. Since I do not have the same expertise as this manager, i really had no place to be doing it in the first place. But come on, how could i say no to my manager boss. So he then precedes to tell me that he is my boss which makes me stop him and say that i was told the manager was my boss. The director was floored and says he has no idea why she would have told me so. He then asked me to make a list of all things that the manager asked me to do thus far. I whipped out a 3 page document with tasks and gave him examples of things she made me do for HER convenience and copied emails that she had written to me that clearly show she is showing authority (i.e. "boss-ness" above me). The director said he think i'm being taken advantage of by the manager who has been there for several years. I think he feels betrayed that his right hand man, the manager, would pretend to be my boss without his knowing.

I'm just weirded out about this whole thing and feel very taken advantage of! I feel like i've wasted the last 6 months on pleasing someone who has no real authority over me! the director feels badly that he didn't pick up on this sooner.

I'm concern nothing will happen in this whole situation b/c the manager is a cryer and get her way all the time. She convinced the director to let her work 4 days a week and the director has remained loyal to her by taking care of things for her and looking the other way about her laziness, unprofessionalism, etc.

It's so hard being the newbie and not knowing where you stand -- esp now since i suddenly find out my boss isnt who i thought he/she was and that i've been wasting my time doing someone else's job.

What should i do? Mostly i know i have to sit back and wait to see what happens. What i really want to do is be in the meeting with the director and manager so that i get to hear what is going on (since it frickin involves me anyway).


this is my first taste of the business world????

 

[EthansMom]

I wouldn't worry too much about it now that the Director knows the truth. It may prove for some interesting fireworks around the office.

Good Luck!

 

[ballroombelle]

Ooh-hugs to you. It's a shame that you had no other mentor or even a senior employee set you straight sooner.

I almost wish you had been a bit more guarded in what you told the director about the manager bc from what you've said, though the director may be upset with the manager, he may not be willing to get rid of this manager and now you may be facing an awkward work situation-you know what I mean? Of course I don't know the explicit details of your work situation...

I hope it works out for you!

 

[ducklite]

Ouch! Tough situation to be in. Just keep documenting everything you do.

Good luck!

Anne

 

[florida-again]

I had something similar at work once and even though the person 'bossing me around' wasn't fired, as soon as someone senior knew what she was up to, she toned down and I always had the upper hand. Hopefully the same will happen to you! I don't think you'll be getting any more trouble from her!

 

[golfgal]

Look at it this way, you have gotten a lot of good experience that you might not have otherwise and when this other person gets the boot, you might have an in.

As for them having meetings about you and your life, get used to that, it will happen where ever you go.

 

[clh2]

Can you ask your "real" boss for your job description? I know that sounds odd, but you may want to review it, and make sure you are doing the work you were intended to do. The job descriptions where I work are very detailed from the "chain-of-command" that is listed. Mine shows who I report to, and who my boss reports to. In addition, it clearly spells out my responsibilities when others in the office are on vacation, as well as the stuff I am supposed to do on a regular basis, and special projects etc.