Work drama

[Myothername]

Why do people act like this? 2 of my co-workers, one who is my assistant, ratted out our boss. We all love our boss or at least I thought so. She works really hard, comes in early, etc. But on Fridays we take turns leaving early if our work is done. We know that one of them called her boss and told that she left early. She did the same thing a couple of years ago. Well, the big boss called my boss at home and asked what she was doing, said they were meeting Monday to discuss this. She was so upset and called me crying. Things have been tense at the office the last year or so, numbers not good but things have gotten better recently.

I am so mad at these two and especially my assistant. She is under the impression that she is nonreplaceable but little does she know our boss has been going to bat for her to keep her on. We really cannot justify her salary any longer but it does make our jobs easier to have her. But come Monday I am going to let it be known, not in an overt manner, that our numbers really do not justify me having 2 assistants. She needs to worry a while. As for the other when she did this last time we just all ignored her and no one spoke to her for about 2 weeks. We are already struggling at our office and if they fire my boss it will only make things that much worse.

What would you do? I am in a management position and feel I need to take some action.

 

[Pakey]

They didn't do anything illegal. I wouldn't do anything.

 

[Christine]

Well, first of all, there is nothing you can do.

Your immediate boss, and you for that matter, have been leaving early, and from what it sounds like, "off the books." That's timesheet fraud. Your immediate boss could get fired for it.

That's not to say that I agree with the other employee ratting anyone out unless she was finding it morally objectionable.

You can't do anything because what your boss and anyone else who participates is doing is wrong and fraudulent.

I think you just have to be quiet about it. I guess you could continue to passively-aggressively shun the other assistant.

 

[NMAmy]

Why do people act like this? 2 of my co-workers, one who is my assistant, ratted out our boss. We all love our boss or at least I thought so. She works really hard, comes in early, etc. But on Fridays we take turns leaving early if our work is done. We know that one of them called her boss and told that she left early. She did the same thing a couple of years ago. Well, the big boss called my boss at home and asked what she was doing, said they were meeting Monday to discuss this. She was so upset and called me crying. Things have been tense at the office the last year or so, numbers not good but things have gotten better recently.

I am so mad at these two and especially my assistant. She is under the impression that she is nonreplaceable but little does she know our boss has been going to bat for her to keep her on. We really cannot justify her salary any longer but it does make our jobs easier to have her. But come Monday I am going to let it be known, not in an overt manner, that our numbers really do not justify me having 2 assistants. She needs to worry a while. As for the other when she did this last time we just all ignored her and no one spoke to her for about 2 weeks. We are already struggling at our office and if they fire my boss it will only make things that much worse.

What would you do? I am in a management position and feel I need to take some action.

I see so much wrong with this whole situation. First off--if your boss was allowing everyone to take turns leaving early while still being paid or not making up the time, that's stealing from the company and she deserves to be called out about it. If you all were coming in early or staying late on other days and leaving early on Friday, it's a better situation but still apparently against company policy.

Secondly, you manage by scaring your staff into thinking they'll be fired and by not speaking to them for 2 weeks? You want to know what I would do? If I have a problem with someone's behavior, I talk to them about it. I tell them the behavior that needs to change, how they need to do that, and what results I expect in a certain time frame. At the end of that time frame, we revisit the issue.

Asking subordinates to lie to or for a boss is never appropriate.

 

[Myothername]

You are right. No one did anything illegal. But the people in our office are very very close. Lots of us vacation together, are members of the same club and hang out on the weekends together, eat lunch together everyday together. She has ruined that and I will no longer bend over backward to help her out when she calls in sick on Mondays, wants to take a last minute week off from work, sits around talking or working on her tupperware sales when there is obvious work to be done. It will be all business now.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I'm afraid there isn't a whole lot you can do, besides have a chat with the two employees. Ask them why they felt compelled to call the big boss and if there are some other issues that you need to be aware of. What they did certainly seems uncalled for and I would definitely wonder what their motivations were for doing it. In terms of taking any kind of action against them, I agree with the above poster that they didn't do anything illegal. Annoying and mean-spirited, yes, but probably not a reason for disciplinary action or termination. If you have other, documented reasons for terminating one of them or the company can no longer support her salary, that's the route to take.

It stinks to have to work with vindictive people. I hope things get better for you.

 

[anniemae]

That's a sticky situation. Technically your boss was not supposed to leave early right?

Where I used to work, the boss could send someone home if things were slow, but the person leaving would not get paid. However, the boss was not allowed to leave in case something came up that required a supervisor. Just part of being the boss.

It sounds like you kind of had a "deal" between yourself, your boss, and two other employees. In other words the BIG boss was not aware you were doing this within your department, which is a problem. Your boss technically should have asked her boss if it was okay to do this, saying that it would be done if it was slow, and work was done etc. Now it looks sneaky and like you are all taking advantage of the company, and being paid to play hookey. Not saying that's the case, just that it probably looks that way to the big boss.

Not sure why one would rat out your boss since now it probably means nobody will get to leave early. I would not do anything until you find out what will happen with your boss. She could just get yelled at then that will be the end of it. Although the big boss may let someone go since it seems work is finished early and there are too many people in the dept. Hopefully it won't come to that though.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I would trust your boss's boss to do the right thing. If your boss is valued, a single incident is not going to be overblown. It is probably a good thing that this person has the entire weekend to consider the incident. Hopefully there isn't anything else hanging over her head right now.

Don't get involved or try to influence the decisions made above your head - especially since you know that the accusation is true. Doing so says that you don't trust the discretion of your boss's boss - not good for your career.

You now know what you have two office rats. I would begin working on cases to have them fired. No way would one of my employees get away with being an office rat. Heck, I'd set them up if I had to.

Be glad that you found out without getting your own back stabbed. People like this do not change. If they stick around, it is only a matter of time before this sort of thing happens again. This is not whistle blowing - this is betrayal.

 

[Myothername]

I see so much wrong with this whole situation. First off--if your boss was allowing everyone to take turns leaving early while still being paid or not making up the time, that's stealing from the company and she deserves to be called out about it. If you all were coming in early or staying late on other days and leaving early on Friday, it's a better situation but still apparently against company policy.

Secondly, you manage by scaring your staff into thinking they'll be fired and by not speaking to them for 2 weeks? You want to know what I would do? If I have a problem with someone's behavior, I talk to them about it. I tell them the behavior that needs to change, how they need to do that, and what results I expect in a certain time frame. At the end of that time frame, we revisit the issue.

Asking subordinates to lie to or for a boss is never appropriate.

Let me clarify. We clock out when we leave early on Fridays. We are not stealing. The cold shoulder thing seemed to work with this other girl a year or so ago cause she found out really quick you don't rat out people when they do nothing wrong. At least I thought she did. Guess not. She is not under me so I can't say anything to her. But Friday my assistant spent the entire afternoon talking with her and she has a reputation of whining and complaining that she so overworked and irreplaceable. She is not. She has no idea how tenuous her position is. We really can't justify keeping her but our boss really likes her and went to bat for her to keep her on. She even let her take a week of a while back when she was given an all expense paid vacation with no notice. It is just so ungrateful for her to act this way. But again, nothing wrong was done by my boss.

 

[Myothername]

I would trust your boss's boss to do the right thing. If your boss is valued, a single incident is not going to be overblown. It is probably a good thing that this person has the entire weekend to consider the incident. Hopefully there isn't anything else hanging over her head right now.

Don't get involved or try to influence the decisions made above your head - especially since you know that the accusation is true. Doing so says that you don't trust the discretion of your boss's boss - not good for your career.

You now know what you have two office rats. I would begin working on cases to have them fired. No way would one of my employees get away with being an office rat. Heck, I'd set them up if I had to.

Be glad that you found out without getting your own back stabbed. People like this do not change. If they stick around, it is only a matter of time before this sort of thing happens again. This is not whistle blowing - this is betrayal.

Thanks. I really like the big boss. Super nice and yes it is good there is the weekend for everyone to think about it. The way it is set up my boss has a lot of discretion as to how the office is run. I don't necessarily agree with her leaving early but she gets her work done.

As for getting the rats fired, one I have no control over but we can make her life miserable by not doing her favors, helping her with projects, etc. We don't have to do those things but have before because we liked her. As for my assistant, she will be gone before long. We can't justify her position and my boss has looked the other way with her calling in sick so much. I told her to require a doctor's excuse. I will have to look at the employee handbook but I don't think it is addressed so we can require it.

We will see what happens Monday.

 

[NMAmy]

Let me clarify. We clock out when we leave early on Fridays. We are not stealing. The cold shoulder thing seemed to work with this other girl a year or so ago cause she found out really quick you don't rat out people when they do nothing wrong. At least I thought she did. Guess not. She is not under me so I can't say anything to her. But Friday my assistant spent the entire afternoon talking with her and she has a reputation of whining and complaining that she so overworked and irreplaceable. She is not. She has no idea how tenuous her position is. We really can't justify keeping her but our boss really likes her and went to bat for her to keep her on. She even let her take a week of a while back when she was given an all expense paid vacation with no notice. It is just so ungrateful for her to act this way. But again, nothing wrong was done by my boss.

If your boss has done nothing wrong, why has her boss scheduled a meeting with her to discuss this? From the original post, it sounds as though your boss is upset enough to cry about the situation. Is that because she has to come clean to her supervisor or because of one of the assistants called the big boss?

I still totally disagree with the passive aggressive method of giving an employee the cold shoulder to express displeasure. If they've done something wrong, a good manager brings the topic out into the open and makes it clear what needs to happen. Making your employees guess what they've done wrong is immature and leads to situations like the one your boss is in now.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

If your boss has done nothing wrong, why has her boss scheduled a meeting with her to discuss this? From the original post, it sounds as though your boss is upset enough to cry about the situation. Is that because she has to come clean to her supervisor or because of one of the assistants called the big boss?

It could very well be because she feels betrayed by a friend. Remember, she really liked one of the rats, even bending over backwards to keep her.

I still totally disagree with the passive aggressive method of giving an employee the cold shoulder to express displeasure. If they've done something wrong, a good manager brings the topic out into the open and makes it clear what needs to happen. Making your employees guess what they've done wrong is immature and leads to situations like the one your boss is in now.

You can't treat rats like reasonable people. You cannot trust them. Treat a rat like a rat - run them out by any means necessary. They destroy office morale and productivity.

 

[Northstar]

You ask "why would somebody do this?"

Has it occurred to you that, knowing numbers are not good and that somebody's job may have to go, one or both of your co-workers has decided that the best defense is a good offense? Translation: one or both may be angling to get you or your boss fired and take over your job.

 

[Myothername]

You ask "why would somebody do this?"

Has it occurred to you that, knowing numbers are not good and that somebody's job may have to go, one or both of your co-workers has decided that the best defense is a good offense? Translation: one or both may be angling to get you or your boss fired and take over your job.

That might be the case in some offices but neither of them have the qualifications for the job set out by corporate. I think what is was is my assistant who whines alot about how put upon she is was talking with the other rat and just mentioned that becaus our boss left she felt like she was so overworked handling some of her duties. She was not handling anyone elses duties just taking some calls that anyone really can take. Rat #2 loves to gossip and called her supervisor who probably then emailed the big boss. I tend to agree that my boss should not have left early. It does look better if she is there even if she had no work to do. But if my assistant for one had any idea how she has a job only because our boss went to bat for her.

 

[Tink888]

If everyone is clocking out when they leave early so they aren't getting paid for time they're not there, wouldn't the big boss be able to tell what all of you are doing just by checking the time cards?

No one likes the office rat, but sorry, the whole dynamic of your office sounds kind of messed up to me. Sooner or later the big boss is going to give all of you the "everyone is replaceable" speech.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

If everyone is clocking out when they leave early so they aren't getting paid for time they're not there, wouldn't the big boss be able to tell what all of you are doing just by checking the time cards?

No one likes the office rat, but sorry, the whole dynamic of your office sounds kind of messed up to me. Sooner or later the big boss is going to give all of you the "everyone is replaceable" speech.

The hourly employees would be doing nothing wrong - perhaps salaried employees, who I assume do not punch a time clock, and then only if there is a hard and fast rule about hours of employment.

I tend to give my salaried employees a great deal of flexibility, as they usually put in far more than 40 hours/week. It would be very short-sighted of me to get upset with a salaried employee for going home early on a Friday after they have worked countless times for me beyond the standard work week.

 

[cm8]

Why do people act like this? 2 of my co-workers, one who is my assistant, ratted out our boss. We all love our boss or at least I thought so. She works really hard, comes in early, etc. But on Fridays we take turns leaving early if our work is done. We know that one of them called her boss and told that she left early. She did the same thing a couple of years ago. Well, the big boss called my boss at home and asked what she was doing, said they were meeting Monday to discuss this. She was so upset and called me crying. Things have been tense at the office the last year or so, numbers not good but things have gotten better recently.

I am so mad at these two and especially my assistant. She is under the impression that she is nonreplaceable but little does she know our boss has been going to bat for her to keep her on. We really cannot justify her salary any longer but it does make our jobs easier to have her. But come Monday I am going to let it be known, not in an overt manner, that our numbers really do not justify me having 2 assistants. She needs to worry a while. As for the other when she did this last time we just all ignored her and no one spoke to her for about 2 weeks. We are already struggling at our office and if they fire my boss it will only make things that much worse.

What would you do? I am in a management position and feel I need to take some action.

Seems like she learned from the other assistant who pulled the same stunt to do it as well.

Fact: You are in charge as management and you have to set standards that will be followed and challenged by all who are under you. If they cross the line corrective action should correct that behavior. Something documented and placed in the employees file so that it can be used at a later time.

Fact: Giving the "cold shoulder" is a dangerous game to play in the work force. You could have your job endangered by the employee making a complaint that you have now created a hostile work environment and all because she was a "whistle blower".

Fact: If said employee is not performing the duties of her job, she needs to be terminated, no use in keeping around someone he!! bent on causing mass confusion in this day and age.


That's all I wanted to say

 

[FreeTime]

I still totally disagree with the passive aggressive method of giving an employee the cold shoulder to express displeasure. If they've done something wrong, a good manager brings the topic out into the open and makes it clear what needs to happen. Making your employees guess what they've done wrong is immature and leads to situations like the one your boss is in now.

I would have agreed 100% with your comment until yesterday, I do agree that it is right to give the cold shoulder to someone, however I expressed to a group of my employees this week a tough situtation. I didn't say anything inappropriate (of course this is my opinion), was direct, but not harsh and followed up with reassuring comments. Where did it get me? In the hot seat! These employees have now filed a complaint against me for suggesting to them that they be onboard with changes! I did everything I could to make it an open, honest discussion. It didn't work! I was yelled at! I would never yell at a superior! I am disheartened that people think they can verbally abuse others and complain to get what they want. I guess they are thinking right. Complainers usually get what they want.

Sorry, I have to jump the post and vent myself.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

You are right. No one did anything illegal. But the people in our office are very very close. Lots of us vacation together, are members of the same club and hang out on the weekends together, eat lunch together everyday together. She has ruined that and I will no longer bend over backward to help her out when she calls in sick on Mondays, wants to take a last minute week off from work, sits around talking or working on her tupperware sales when there is obvious work to be done. It will be all business now.

I'm glad that dynamic works for you, but it would make me very uncomfortable. I'm not saying there is a right way and a wrong way to do things, but I probably would not be able to work there.

I honestly think it should have been "all business" from the get go. Again, that's just me. I'm not saying the environment is wrong. But I think that when you're in that type of situation, it's easy to think that everyone loves each other and would never do anything to hurt the other person, etc.

But if these two felt that something wrong was going on, maybe they didn't feel comfortable going to your boss. Maybe they felt like they weren't part of the group. Or maybe they DID go to her and didn't feel that their concerns were taken seriously.

Like I said, I'm glad that it works well for you, but at the same time I would be very careful. I'm sure it depends on what industry we're talking about, and I honestly wonder if you were even supposed to know about this. I think it could all backfire.

Good luck.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Let me clarify. We clock out when we leave early on Fridays. We are not stealing. The cold shoulder thing seemed to work with this other girl a year or so ago cause she found out really quick you don't rat out people when they do nothing wrong. At least I thought she did. Guess not. She is not under me so I can't say anything to her. But Friday my assistant spent the entire afternoon talking with her and she has a reputation of whining and complaining that she so overworked and irreplaceable. She is not. She has no idea how tenuous her position is. We really can't justify keeping her but our boss really likes her and went to bat for her to keep her on. She even let her take a week of a while back when she was given an all expense paid vacation with no notice. It is just so ungrateful for her to act this way. But again, nothing wrong was done by my boss.

Again, be VERY careful. If you get rid of her now without strong documentation, it's going to look like retaliation. Which, from what I'm reading, is exactly what it would be. You said yourself that you disagree with the boss leaving early, but you overlook it because... you're friends?

Dangerous. I'm sorry. I know that's not a popular opinion, but yeah. Do not treat your staff any differently than you did 48 hours ago.