Seriously, how can someone whose brain has been so damaged by alcohol keep working

[luvwinnie]

for another 3 years? THis is a BIG VENT. Just warning you all. Does anyone else work for someone who drinks during lunch? TODAY my boss brings in an ad we created for a meeting next week...this is the same ad HE TOLD ME to make 200 copies of for the meeting...the one he saw MANY times 2 weeks ago...the one HE OKAYED...and today acted as if he had NEVER seen it before. TODAY he didn't like the way a logo looked so he had us take out ALL the logos and I Have to print 200 of them AGAIN. I was SHAKING I WAS SO ANGRY. If this was a one-time event, fine...but this is our work life every day....yes, I know I SHOULD LEAVE, but other than him the job is great....and I feel kind of "trapped" by the fact that I have a chronic health problem and I have good sick leave and vac. leave here, great benefits...and really cannot go down in salary.

Not looking for advice...just venting. But if anyone DOES know how to deal with such a person, by all means, bring on the advice!

 

[Deesknee]

ALANON-won't help him. may very well help you deal with him.
Good luck. Chin up.

 

[chrissyk]

Wow, that's a tough situation Does he own the company? If not, is it a large company that might have an EAP? Perhaps you and your co-workers could get together and ask his boss to please refer him to the EAP? It sounds like his behavior is not just crazy-making...it's also costing the company $$ in unnecessary rework.

 

[Hillbeans]

Maybe in the future have him "sign-off" on your work and date it so you can prove to him he ok'd it?

Just a thought. It's always a good idea to have a paper trail just in case he tries to pull something down the road and fire you for no good reason.

 

[DoeWDW]

Maybe in the future have him "sign-off" on your work and date it so you can prove to him he ok'd it?

My thoughts exactly!! I work in IT and we have learned to do this ALWAYS so that people can't come back later and claim they "didn't know" or "didn't approve" of work.

 

[ericamanda01]

Maybe in the future have him "sign-off" on your work and date it so you can prove to him he ok'd it?

QUOTE]
This is a great idea if you can do it. TRY not to let it get to you. I know, I know that's easier said than done. Good luck.

 

[luvwinnie]

Sorry, guys, just saw these replies. We have all thought of the sign off on this idea...but he gets VERY defensive is you even mildly suggest he doesn't remember stuff.
Yes, if we ALL got together that could work...but I know people will back out. Looking into taking classes and changing careers. Thanks all.

 

[jfulcer]

Sorry, guys, just saw these replies. We have all thought of the sign off on this idea...but he gets VERY defensive is you even mildly suggest he doesn't remember stuff.

So it's not 'a reminder to know that he looked at it', it's "I'm trying to track my time and workflow closer with some of these projects and improve areas where I can."

 

[danacara]

I wouldn't worry about an official signoff, but I would send him an email confirming the contents of every conversation we had. Literally, I'd be dropping this man ten emails per day. Then, when he revisits an old topic in a new or incorrect way, comment on this new conversation as a reply-to the old email, make the point/counterpoint striking ... and that way, you always have a "way out" - if he tells you that you did something wrong - point out that he didn't correct it in your prior email.

Document, document, document, it's the only way to keep yourself from losing your mind - and it will keep you busy, too.

 

[Chicago526]

Tell him that he told you that your work needs to be signed off by him! If he is as bad as he says, he won't remember that he didn't tell you that!

 

[wvrevy]

Well, I don't know about your boss, but it doesn't seem to have stopped these two:

 

[luvwinnie]

wvrevy....

I've even had emails confirming something and he'll just say "oh, that doesn't matter" and just get all flustered and angry that he doesn't remember.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

I remember in college I had a professor that drank like crazy, but he was as smart as ever. Everybody knew about it, but it didn't seem to effect his intelligence at all. He actually wrote a book that I still read over and over again, till this day!

 

[pamlet]

Do you have a good relationship with HIS boss? Or for that matter his boss's boss?

I was in a VERY similar situation...

My boss would basically hand me her work... and turn it in as her own. She was the highest level of management in our city..(general manager) so it did make it difficult. A number of us had approached her boss (director) who just defended her... When we finally got a new director who was now "on site" things started happening... I worked VERY well with the new director.. who later (after GM was fired) asked me why I never took it further (to the VP)... I really wish I would have ... It would have saved YEARS of anguish..

Other than that - I'd keep sending the emails recapping what you were told. HE may think it doesn't matter... but you never know when the upper management will finally get a clue and start asking you questions.

Also - the EAP suggestion is good as well. Often is someone can get help early enough .. the entire workplace situation can be MUCH better!

 

[HauteCuisine]

I used to work for an alcoholic. He stank, really.
He used to make the two supervisors(myself & another guy) forge his signature on documents because he had the "shakes" so bad. He literally did nothing all day long ,except have a drinking lunch. We finally went to upper management with our complaints and he was fired.

 

[luvwinnie]

Pamlet, he doesn't have a boss....we do have a "board of directors" which changes each year, but those people don't work with us. They are volunteer positions. I do know that one employee who left a few years ago sent them a letter when she left about what went on (more than just the drinking, she was basically harassed our of her job) and nothing was done.

 

[dianeschlicht]

If she was harassed out of her job, SHE should have done something legal! There are very good laws in place about those kinds of things.

I totally agree about the emails, and I would send CCs to the chairman of the board each time. Make a pest of yourself in a passive way, so they see what is REALLY going on.