Work Dilemma...what would you do?

[Skywalker]

Let's say you just got a new job (and after years of trying, Thank You God). Everyone's great from your boss to your co-workers and you love it there. You've been there just 3 weeks, and the one co-worker that is training you starts telling you that certain procedures they are doing are actually not the way the boss wants it. They are taking short cuts and of course the boss must never know.

Now, it is not as if these are anything illegal or life threatening or really bad or anything, however, if the boss found out they would be very ticked.

So being a new employee what would you do?

I do not want to walk in there and upset the place by spilling the beans to the boss. But if I keep silent it feels like I'm betraying the person that hired me, plus of course if it ever comes out then I am "guilty" as well.

How would you all approach this situation?

Thanks!!!

 

[Magic Mom]

I think before I tattled to the boss, I would just refuse to take the shortcuts and instead do things the correct way. If your coworkers ask, tell them you need your job and don't want to jeopardize it by taking shortcuts and ticking off the boss.

 

[Darcy03231]

I think before I tattled to the boss, I would just refuse to take the shortcuts and instead do things the correct way. If your coworkers ask, tell them you need your job and don't want to jeopardize it by taking shortcuts and ticking off the boss.

That's what I'd do.

 

[disneystacy]

I think before I tattled to the boss, I would just refuse to take the shortcuts and instead do things the correct way. If your coworkers ask, tell them you need your job and don't want to jeopardize it by taking shortcuts and ticking off the boss.

I agree

 

[Skywalker]

I think before I tattled to the boss, I would just refuse to take the shortcuts and instead do things the correct way. If your coworkers ask, tell them you need your job and don't want to jeopardize it by taking shortcuts and ticking off the boss.

It is an unusual situation, in that we do this as a "team" so that I can't do things the correct way if my co-workers do not. Whatever we do is together, and they have made it very clear that "this is how it's done" and just laugh at me when I tell me I think we should do it properly.

So, unless they cooperate with me I have to do it their way (or tell the boss).

Oh also if I did find some way to strike out on my own and do it "right", then it would be very obvious I was doing things differently from them and really be just the same as telling the boss. I think. I don't know.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Tricky situation.

I just have a few thoughts:

1. I'd be afraid that if the group ever got found out, that you--the newbie--would be in jeopardy of being the fall guy. Since they haven't been busted to date, it would be very easy to throw you under the bus.

2. Does whatever you produce/create come out correctly? I learned things one way in my own job, but then i also learned new things as I became experienced that made me much more efficient but did not compromise the integrity of what I produced. I wasn't violating any official protocols though.

3. WHY are they taking these shortcuts?

Tough situation to be in--but perhaps, maybe--they have a valid reason for doing this. I.e. their boss is an airhead that cannot see that their way is better for example.

 

[Skywalker]

Tricky situation.

I just have a few thoughts:

1. I'd be afraid that if the group ever got found out, that you--the newbie--would be in jeopardy of being the fall guy. Since they haven't been busted to date, it would be very easy to throw you under the bus.

2. Does whatever you produce/create come out correctly? I learned things one way in my own job, but then i also learned new things as I became experienced that made me much more efficient but did not compromise the integrity of what I produced. I wasn't violating any official protocols though.

3. WHY are they taking these shortcuts?

Tough situation to be in--but perhaps, maybe--they have a valid reason for doing this. I.e. their boss is an airhead that cannot see that their way is better for example.

Forgive me for trying to stay vague while also answering! lol.

The only reason they are taking these shortcuts is to save time..time they use at the end of the day to go on the internet or whatever. What the end "customer" is getting is slightly less convenient for them, though they don't seem to complain.

The boss's way takes more time and effort, but is the way he wants the "customer" to have it. Most of his customers are so used to having things done in this shortcut way that they don't know any better. He rarely has contact with them directly, so if anyone does call and complain one of the workers deals with it without him hearing about it.

If by some chance it does get to his ears, they just tell him it was an exception for whatever reason. He doesn't know that they make everying an exception though.

Clear as mud? lol

Aside from this, they are such nice people here, all of them. It just frustrates me!!

 

[Mommee]

This sounds like one of those times where being "stupid" might come in handy.. Find a way to be a bit confused about the proper procedure, giving vague info, but enough that the boss either looks into it or tells you to just do as your trainer says.
If it's a problem, boss will fix it. If it's not, boss won't fix it. If boss says just follow whatever your trainer says, you're in the clear. And if you're careful enough, the coworkers won't know what you did, or if they suspect it, they will think it was innocent enough and forgive you.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

In this job market you have to be very careful. Not everyone is your friend either, just because they are nice to you, they may feel you are a threat.

In my line of work I am in a similar situation. But how long has your trainer been working for this company and doing the short cuts? If its more than 8 years and they haven't gotten in trouble AND the work is still good and efficient then do the short cuts.

My question is why isn't the boss training you? If they want it done their way then they should be the one that trains you. Everyone learns things differently and as long as the job is done correct and on time and the customers are happy and content, who cares about a short cut.

I don't know your line of work however, so maybe you have to follow the normal procedure.

Good Luck

 

[eeyore65]

Is there a procedure manual? If not, you may want to offer to create one?

 

[tinatark]

There are certain things we did, when I worked in "corporate world" - everyone had to learn the "long way" but the shortcuts were acceptable. Maybe that's the situation there.

 

[DrCavin]

Do it like everyone else & if anything is ever said just say that is the way I was trained to do it.

 

[sbell111]

I would do it the correct way. That way you are giving superior service to the customer; as directed by your boss.

 

[focusondisney]

Do it like everyone else & if anything is ever said just say that is the way I was trained to do it.

This is a good plan. I suppose the co-worker had to fill you in so if the boss ever asks you'll know what to say.

I'm in health care & have been working for well over 30 years. When I am working with a student or a new orient, I will say " this is the way your instructor will tell you to do things. But here is how I need to do things in the real world. If you are asked you say the correct way." Now I never tell them to do anything dangerous for the patient or that compromises safety or legal standings, just little short cuts to help them get thru all the work. Let's face it, it is easy for bosses & instructors to say do it this way, but they are not the ones to have to actually get the work done. I'm just saying...

 

[sbell111]

This is a good plan. I suppose the co-worker had to fill you in so if the boss ever asks you'll know what to say.

I'm in health care & have been working for well over 30 years. When I am working with a student or a new orient, I will say " this is the way your instructor will tell you to do things. But here is how I need to do things in the real world. If you are asked you say the correct way." Now I never tell them to do anything dangerous for the patient or that compromises safety or legal standings, just little short cuts to help them get thru all the work. Let's face it, it is easy for bosses & instructors to say do it this way, but they are not the ones to have to actually get the work done. I'm just saying...

You are advising the OP to lie to her boss.

If one of my employees followed your advice and I caught wind of it, I would fire that employee.

Is the extra internet surfing at the end of the day worth risking getting fired? Is the extra internet surfing at the end of the day worth giving less than acceptable service (as defined by her boss) to the customers?

How would you guys like it if Disney castmembers decided to follow your advice during your next vacation?

 

[focusondisney]

You are advising the OP to lie to her boss.

If one of my employees followed your advice and I caught wind of it, I would fire that employee.

Is the extra internet surfing at the end of the day worth risking getting fired? Is the extra internet surfing at the end of the day worth giving less than acceptable service (as defined by her boss) to the customers?

How would you guys like it if Disney castmembers decided to follow your advice during your next vacation?

You're right! I forgot she said that their "product" is then different than what the boss wanted. My situation just involves little short cuts to help get all the work done, nothing that is unsafe or against standards as I said. And not done to save time for internet surfing!!!

Guess I'm just having a problem with some new things our bosses have added at work which just take time out of our day but don't add to patient care at ALL & I just 'projected" that to this situation!! Sorry!!

Any way, upon further reflection, I guess Op should ask to be shown the correct way & then nicely tell her co-worker / trainer that she will be doing the job that way. Then everyone else can decide for themselves wether to do it right or not.

Yep, I think that's a better answer! Just do it nicely, OP & don't be judgemental to the others & hopefully they won't take offense. Good Luck.