Would you tell your boss if it is NOT YOUR Issue?
By chiyochan
@chiyosan (30186)
Philippines
May 30, 2012 7:07am CST
Okay so here goes, in our work we have a senior person who took charge when our boss went on a long leave - so she got to be the point person etc. but every one was telling she was power tripping on the newbies and the other ones she can get her hands on. Well it is clearly not what i have experienced with her because she dares not to do that to the two of us at work... we are pretty much okay with each other.
One time there was this officemate who cried because of her insensitive comments about her work and about what he needs to do and how his work is not even okay with her - but the thing is, she saw it before the presentation and even said that he exceeded her expectations... so there is this issue of what she was up to making him look like an idiot in front of every one else... and then there's another person whom she said that she will never be absorbed in the company because she does ccrappy work... to think that she was given the project and then she was supposed to deliver a presentation the next day after she has to interview and make documentation, and all the stuffs we need to do (usually takes 1 month of data gathering...)
Anyway, to cut the story short, our boss is back and everyone of us was called - apparently other people have been telling our boss that she was out to make hell of everyone in the office... and our boss had one on one with us and insisted on me and all the others to tell her what was wrong and what happened when she was away... i kept mum about it and just said there was no issue with me(true) though i know that a friend had issues, i just told him i think he needed to tell our boss himself and i should not interfere (not yet) of course as i think that would be intruding as he trusted me with his issues by relating them to me...
So do you think it was the correct move, or was i able to help more if i tell our boss how our senior was behaving when she was out? If it was you, what would you have done? Thanks!!
5 responses
@SIMPLYD (90717)
• Philippines
31 May 12
Yes, the ones affected can very well tell your boss about it. But in my opinion, there has to be another one who didn't experience it, yet know fully well that others have experience it, and that was you.
That way, their complaints could be very well collaborated, thus any denial on the part of the one being complained about will not be believed anymore.
You may have not any issue with the woman , but the others has. Would you let them suffer the same or even more if ever the boss is not around again?
1 person likes this
@chiyosan (30186)
• Philippines
31 May 12
It has bothered me, i was like thinking of it and still am as of this time and could not wait to ask how the meeting went with my boss and the person who cried about being bullied at work. he is still very stressed about it i just thought i no longer knew in what other ways i could help him but be there for him. i asked him if he would allow me to talk to the boss and tell it again, as our boss reiterated if we are comfortable we can say... but he declined and said he already talked with our boss and has come to terms with how he will deal with her attitude and all.
@CTHanum (8233)
• Malaysia
30 May 12
Hi chiyo!
If the boss asked me about it then I will say that she should asked the question to the other person whose having the issue with the senior not me for details. It is not right if I tell her everything. Perhaps I could add something and say my opinion regarding the issue to help the friend but it will only be done after he tell the boss the issue his having with the senior. Otherwise I will not say anything.(^^)
1 person likes this
@chiyosan (30186)
• Philippines
31 May 12
hi there! thank you for your response. i think we all have different takes on the matter and well so far what is important is that we would want to extend our help in the least possible damage to both of them already (the accused and the accuser). he he I mean... sometimes issues in the workplace has to be talked about by the people involved and though i know our boss was trying to get information and only wants to make it better for all of us.. still we can't be in the position to say anything more than a hint that something was up while she was away.
@dolce_vita78 (8062)
• Philippines
30 May 12
Hi there chiyosan!
I would have told the boss what he needed to know. It may not be MY issue but I believe that I owe it to myself to be concerned about my organization and the people in it. If something must be done about the behavior of your colleague, it must be done the soonest. Otherwise, it might be too late for you and for everyone else in the company.
1 person likes this
@chiyosan (30186)
• Philippines
30 May 12
i really did wish i told her about it when i left her office, but when i told my friend that our boss was asking about him actually(indirectly..) i felt it was really not for me to say.. as i might only be putting more friction on the issue... i guess maybe next time i will if it has not been changed, or something? i am not really sure if there will be chances or if our boss will take it as it is and be logical and do something.. or will just sit this one out. she is really close with this person thus she became the point person. oh now i get confused even more =(
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
30 May 12
That is a tricky situation. To tell you honestly, if I would have the guts to tell our boss, then why not? But, since you said that your co-worker really didn't do anything wrong towards you, but instead did a lot of cruel things to everybody else, the best thing you could do is at least be there for those who he/she has insulted towards the whole absence of your boss. Encourage them to air their grievances and if they asked you to back them up, then you could do so, but try not to be the front runner in such situations where you were not directly involved. If it was you that was mistreated, then you should in no doubt come clean to your boss and tell him everything. but, since there was no really issue with you, then just try and support the others. Hope I helped.
@chiyosan (30186)
• Philippines
30 May 12
This is what i was thinking.. i was really close to telling our boss about it, because she asked us if there is anything we should let her know and tell her any happenings that is of concern to her and to me.. i was thinking about our colleague and well i know i could have told her but hold it off and just told my friend and persuaded him to tell our boss because she is the person who can help us and make a difference in this issue.
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
30 May 12
Yeah, I think what you did is best. But, try persuading your colleague about it so that in the end all will be well, and no such problem will ever occur in your workplace again. Besides, your work should also be something you can enjoy and share with your co-workers whether your boss is present or not.
@marcmm (1804)
• Malaysia
30 May 12
It shouldn't be you who tell you boss. The guy should stand up for himself. Until when he will depend on others to fight for him.
You didn't have problem with your stand-in boss and it is only the right thing you shouldn't do somthing that will jeopardise your good relationship.
We are all adult here now. If you don't want to stand up for your own good, don't expect others to do it for you. We all have our own interest to look after.
@chiyosan (30186)
• Philippines
31 May 12
ha ha now well of course i did try to get him to have his issue known to our boss. i talked to him a while ago and apparently he did not tell our boss who it was and what the issue was (no specifics) but said in general. i guess the thing was that he is just letting it pass... now i think i am happy at least i did not name drop anyone myself so im good that at least i was not the one who spilled the milk.
