My boss thinks that he’s a manager, but he really doesn’t manage
at all. Even though he owns the business, he’s gone most of the
time. He avoids problems, hates confrontation and makes decisions
based on his mood that particular day.
Q:
My boss thinks that he’s a manager, but he really doesn’t manage at all. Even though he owns the business, he’s gone most of the time. He avoids problems, hates confrontation and makes decisions based on his mood that particular day.
We have 10 employees, and they all do whatever they please. I try to make rules, because I have been here the longest, but my boss always ignores them. How can I stop this anarchy?
A:
Although you’re making a valiant effort to stave off disaster, you’ll never succeed without the backing of your boss. As the business owner, he unfortunately has the power to run the company into the ground if he chooses.
Unless you are given enforcement authority, don’t waste time making “rules” for your co-workers. Trying to control people who don’t work for you is an exercise in futility.
Your only hope is to interest your boss in improving the business. Without being critical, point out areas where increased consistency or efficiency would enhance results. Offer to help implement any change that he supports. He might even consider making you the office manager.
But if your boss insists on sticking with the status quo, you may not be able to save him from himself. In that case, you will have to decide whether the benefits of this job outweigh the aggravations.
Q:
I keep getting calls from my former employer about how to do my old job. For 24 years, I was the “go-to girl” who held that company together. When the business was sold several months ago, I was let go along with many others.
Now I feel that I am being used. If they can’t figure out how to do my work, then they never should have fired me. However, I may need a recommendation from this employer during my job search, so I’m not sure how to handle this. Should I continue to answer their questions?
A:
At this point, you should do whatever is best for your own career. Because you were with this company for 24 years, potential employers will undoubtedly be calling for a reference. So that’s a good reason to be cooperative, even if it seems blatantly unfair.
However, there’s no need to be overly accommodating. If these requests create frequent interruptions, then screen your calls and make one call-back at the end of the day. To avoid protracted conversations, use e-mail or leave a message after closing hours.
If it seems appropriate, you might offer to become a contract employee for a specified period of time. That way, you would at least be compensated for your knowledge.
To reduce your irritation, keep in mind that the callers may have had nothing to do with your job loss. Given that your layoff followed a sale, that decision was probably made at a much higher level.
