Boss setting a bad example
By ranrobin
@ranrobin (8)
United States
September 1, 2009 10:21pm CST
Several months ago my department got a new boss. She is a very likeable person and seems to get along with all of us--there are only seven people in my office. She has lots of experience in our business and has been very successful in the past. She recently got engaged and her fiance's father is very ill--so she has lots of personal issues she is dealing with right now. My problem is that she is letting these personal issues interfere with her job. She is calling in sick quite often and just doesn't seem to have her head in the right place when she is at work. Seeing her un-professional actions is having an effect on her entire staff. I think that others will start having the attitude that she does. I have a very strong work-ethic and feel that everyone else should have the same attitude at work--especially the managers. But, because she is my superior, I am not in any place to say anything, but I am afraid she is jeopardizing her job. What should I do, if anything?
1 person likes this
11 responses
@khayshenz (1384)
• United States
2 Sep 09
We're in the same boat - however, she's not really my boss. I just do some work for her and some of HER projects have gotten behind because her personal life is getting in the way or her professional life. There's nothing much that you and I can do about it. I've talked to my supervisor about it - and he said that he'll see what he can do.
What you can do is just keep on doing your job - as much as you can, without her. Maybe the big boss will fire her and promote you - who knows! Good luck!
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
2 Sep 09
ranrobin hatley here. How close are you to her? If you have'become friends with her, maybe you could talk about it very tactfully'and tellher you are afraid she may be jeopardizing her job.But that is
pretty iffy and I think perhaps its better not to say anything to'her just be very kind and helpful to her,and set a good example in your
own work ethic. Perhaps she will soon see what she is doing and get
back to her old self again.wait and see.
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
2 Sep 09
Be there to support her and help her and let her what you are doing. SHe will appreciate the help, will not feel you are trying to be a backstabber and will probably be an asset to you in your career. As she probably will make recommendations regarding raises and will probably write out a great job recommendation if you decide to go elsewhere to work.
@xingxingsky (176)
• China
3 Sep 09
I don't know how long this condition last. I think if it's not a long time, why not give her more time to solve the relations between family and office? Yes, her present status affects your work. But I think most of people may face some serious troubles in their entire professional career. So just give her more time. Maybe she will back soon.
@jenysie (106)
• United States
2 Sep 09
I think if you know her personally, you could pull her aside and ask her what's going on in a very professional way. She may not even know that her actions are affecting everyone around her. She could be having such a hard time that she hasn't really stopped to think about what she has been doing.
As a boss, she should know and will probably appreciate someone bringing this to her attention, because potentially she could lose her position based on her behavior.
@lionelcorp (4)
• United States
2 Sep 09
Stay out of it, rather try to encourage your fellow work force to strive for the very best. Let them know what the boss is having difficulties attending her job and that they have to try their best regardless.
@Sir_bobby88 (8231)
• Singapore
2 Sep 09
Well try talking to her if you are concern about her . But try not offend her in anyway yea .I had been kinda of frustated lately at work .
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
2 Sep 09
hello ranrobin,
I think you need to talk to her and tell her that she needs to have a vacation for her job is already affected by her family problems that is if you have guts to say it. If not, I think you need to tell to someone who is more capable in doing it. This way, she can save her job and company as well. She is just problematic and maybe she needs someone who can talk too to ease and loosen up.
@jellymonty (2352)
•
2 Sep 09
I'm a boss too and I manage 25 people in my department and I have one rule that everyone must abide with and that is when you come to the office all your personal life should be left at the door. I too have loads of personal problems but I never let that interfere with my work. As an employer there is a lot at stake so I have to be sane when I'm in the office. The one thing I do have is the confidence of my employees..
So if you have a confident relationship with your boss then it's best to offer some sort of support or just speak to her and let her know how this is affecting you employees, and how this could jeopardize her job as well.
@med889 (5941)
•
2 Sep 09
1. This is really serious as because of one person the entire staffs can find themselves not in a good position so why don't you all make a sort of a petition and make everyone sign it and then you can leave that on her desk or talking to her directly is also a good option as she will not find herself hurt too much too.
2. Now she is going through a hard period so you people can atleast support her but you should tell her what you all are thinking about it.
@marctiu (829)
• Philippines
2 Sep 09
Well my friend. In times like this you should understand your boss. It's not easy to take care of a sick one's. Just imagine placing yourself in her shoes. It's very complicated. I know that it is bad because it interfered with her job. Well, for me you can gently advice her to keep herself on the job and do approach the one that she's taking care of during breaks and offs.
