I may get fired, and I don't care!

@soccermom (3198)
United States
September 26, 2007 8:38am CST
Well the boss is back from a 6 week vacation and all hell is breaking loose. We had an insured that wanted to rent an RV for a family vacation and the place that was renting to them wanted proof of insurance. I had never been in this situation before, and wasn't sure what to send them so when my boss checked in I asked him what to do. He said to add the RV to a certificate of liability on their current auto policy and fax it to the rental place. I did. The insured got in three accidents and none of it is covered. Which means big trouble for my boss since his signature is rubber stamped on the bottom. He's ticked, but I only did what he told me to do! Chronic problem with my boss is that he tells me to do stuff and then forgets. Good thing I keep a notebook and log all this stuff. So I need to go to work today ready to do battle. I have a headache already. And although we need the money, I have noticed that I didn't have one headache while he was gone. He gave me the rubber stamp of his signature and told me to use it whenever necessary since i have yet to recieve clearance from the home office to sign these things myself. Which is another thing that chaps my hiney, I applied for clearance 7 months ago, and no one can give me an answer, they lost my paperwork, it's still under review, etc... And why do these places rent RV's to people who have no experience driving them to begin with? I don't even know why I have to go fight with my boss today anyway. I'm have tempted to tell him after 35 years maybe he should retire, I'mcondstantly cleaning up his messes. The only thing that has kept me there is the flexible schedule, I guess I have hot the "confort zone." What would you do? Go in, keep your mouth shut and take it? Or speak your mind knowing full well he may fire me? My mom (works there too) says he's ticked but I won't get fired, but who wants to deal with that tension anyway? Maybe I should point out the $20K worth of new business I have written this year.
2 people like this
15 responses
• Philippines
27 Sep 07
You just have to face every working day of your life as if it's your last(cliche).You have to think positively and psyche yourself into thinking that you can do everything.And if something goes wrong then just think that you will still be given another day to correct it.
1 person likes this
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
27 Sep 07
Unfortunately in my business when there is a major mistake there is no going back and correcting it the next day. A legal document is a legal document.
• United States
26 Sep 07
Well it doesn't sound like you did anything wrong. You only did what he told you to do. Why should he be mad at you? He should know better, telling you to do stuff like that. I say it's on him and he will have to deal with the consequences! And he won't fire you- he needs you too much, soccermom!! So if these accidents weren't covered, what will happen?
1 person likes this
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
26 Sep 07
Here's what happened. Turned out the policyholder lied to me and it wasn't an RV they rented, but what's called a "5th wheel", which meant their is no possible way they could've towed it behind their little car. Turns out they borrowed a truck from a friends business to tow this thing around. So liability falls on the truck and there is no coverage for property damage. None of their accident is covered by us. If thye want to be real jerks they could show this certificate I produced and say it was covered because by producing a certificate I did technically create a policy, however I can come back and say they misrepresented what they were intending to rent. Long story, but it worked out. My boss and I exchanged some heated words and I threatened to go work for another company, and now I think he is considering giving me a raise! LOL Life is just a little too crazy sometimes....
@NewHeart (528)
• Canada
27 Sep 07
glad to hear you didn't suffer to much over this. aren't you glad you covered it under RV any fool that reads policy and doesn't know the difference between an RV from a 5th wheel has a big problem. anyways whom ever owned the truck with a fifth wheel should be held libel for sure. or the company that owned the truck should be libel for the trailer... if not covered the company that owned the truck had no right to have a fifth wheel installed in the bed of the truck...
1 person likes this
@Bunsdk (242)
• Denmark
27 Sep 07
Well, that truelyl sucks. But I think I would just walk in to the office and when he started the discussion I would "fess up" to the mishap and if he continued, tell him that mistakes happens and I will be more attentive again. If I then was to ask for his help again after that. I would comment on the validity of his answer and let him now he slipped before. To me its pretty easy. If you confront someone whos ready to fight, two things can happen. Escalation or a simple firing. The escalation is equally as bad as being fired, because it will put a bad marker on the near future cooperation, and maybe even longterm. Good luck in what your choice might be, its always bad when something like that happens.
1 person likes this
@mestr12 (226)
• Philippines
27 Sep 07
I do hope things will work out between you and your boss. Just try to be calm. Good luck.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Sep 07
Hello soccermom, Wow!! I don't envy your position today!! But remember you only did what you were told to do. You logged the information, so that is your proof. Bosses make mistakes, and when they do, they need a scapegoat to take the fall. It sounds to me that you have been chosen for this position. Until the boss can get his feelings under control and live with his decisision, then you are the fall guy. He probably won't fire you, but the tension is going to be thick for a while. Then the air will be clear again, and all will be forgotten. Now how long are you will to hold out for the clearing to happen? It may be short-lived, it may not. Good luck to you and stand tall. Happy posting..
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
26 Sep 07
I am sorry that you have to do this. I cannot imagine him trying to tell you that he don't remember telling you to do it. It is a good thing you have kept records of everything. I would not keep my mouth shut. I would show him the paperwork. I hope things will go better after you get there. You are just his excuse, because he was not there.
1 person likes this
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
27 Sep 07
Wait a minute—since when does following orders get you fired?? He’s an a$$ for taking so much time off and not training you properly in everything that you need to know- and wowsa—what will happen to the person who got in the accident?? Can they sue the insurance company- for providing false information? They thought they were covered right? What a mess! I would go in there and stand your ground- You were following orders- Don’t take the crap from him- it was his fault—not yours…. Then If he continues to be a jerk--- then I’d bring up the business that you brought in- Didn’t your mom know how to handle this request?? Oh wait I remember you telling me that she wasn’t hardly ever there- good luck and stand your ground!
• United States
26 Sep 07
Well it doesn't sound like you did anything wrong. You only did what he told you to do. Why should he be mad at you? He should know better, telling you to do stuff like that. I say it's on him and he will have to deal with the consequences! And he won't fire you- he needs you too much, soccermom!! So if these accidents weren't covered, what will happen?
@mamasan34 (6518)
• United States
28 Sep 07
I honestly don't think he would fire you at all. Every work place has these types of situations, especially when it is a smaller business or office. I wouldn't put up with anything, and if he does approach you about it, I would ask to have this cleared up between the two of you, show the log book that you keep and that he did indeed advise you to do what you did. Then tell him that your sorry it didn't work out, but we can move on from here in a positive aspect or negative, his choice. As for the RV renter, t hey should offer their own insurance, usually rental places do. Unbelievable!
@gwendovere (1279)
• United States
26 Sep 07
Wow! What a mess. I don't know what I'd do -- have never been in that situation. Yikes!
1 person likes this
@kitty1234 (1476)
• United States
26 Sep 07
I would go to work with a smile on my face! When he does say something to you, politly say I did what you asked and I am sorry it didn't work out! If he wants to continue the conversation I would listen and then once again state that I only did what I was asked to do. While you enjoy the flex hours the tension may not be worth it. If you feel the need to move on, try finding someting else suitable before taking the leap! Good Luck!
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
26 Sep 07
You did exactly what you were told so therefore he cannot fire you. It wasn't your fault your boss told you to add the RV, your boss told you to, it wasn't your fault they got into an accident, that was the insurer's fault. All you did is do what your boss told you to do. He cannot fire you for that. He can fire you if you DON'T do what you're told but that's not the case here at all. Since you have it all logged down in a notebook, you have a hell of a lot more fighting power than he does. Hell no don't take any crap off of him! You did nothing wrong! Nor should you have to work under tension either. That is working harrassment. He better what himself or he's could be in deep hot water and it's his own undoing.
1 person likes this
@gradyslady (4054)
• United States
28 Sep 07
I know how that feels about maybe getting fired and not caring, but take care and good luck with everything.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
26 Sep 07
would point that all out to him and most people just say I have insurance with so and so and show their card . and to me thats the fault too of the reantal place to know for sure that they can drive one I would rent to some one that has never driven one.