I've had enough at work!

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PandaBear

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One so called project lead that isn't really a manager is playing boss. Having problem when we reply email that contradict anything he mentioned, telling us to be "less attitude, less talk back, more work" because he is "contractually obligated" to allocate resources as he sees fit.

I'm not the only one having problem with him. Everyone of his peer (non manager) in and out of our department, in and out of the company, have problems with him. Our vendor's engineers told our boss they refuse to deal with this guy because of his abusive behavior (include using intimidation to show his superiority, hogging up resource and information so he is the only go to person). He also break down the project he is leading and throw out uncertain parts that is high risk, confusing, undoable to peers with ambiguous information so if anything goes wrong, he can blame everyone else for it but himself, and he still can take credit for a "job well done".

Our manager knew about some of the latest fiasco, and I feel sorry for the manager having to deal with this mess. Since he knew about me refusing to deal with this coworker's abusive behavior / assignment of unachievable, he assigned someone else to do it when I give the new guy information. However this co-worker insist on me doing it and want to hold me liable for it as a retaliation, even after I told the manager that we have agreed to let someone else do it.

This morning he storm into my office when I'm working on something else. I told him I am not in an emotionally good state to talk about this but he refuse to leave even when I ask him to. One part of me wanting to just tell the HR about this and leave him a record so he'll never be able to be a manager, but another part tell me this is not right either.

When the word got out that this co-worker might be promoted, some of us have a depression and wanting to take a day off.
 
Read "The art of war", and don't let the ____ wear you down.
 
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Originally Posted By: PandaBear

One part of me wanting to just tell the HR about this and leave him a record so he'll never be able to be a manager, but another part tell me this is not right either.
meanwhile you tolerate it,while he gets a HIGHER position than you,and then now he is YOUR BOSS!,and after he steps all over all of you!. I'd be at the HR as soon as they opened their doors!!! People like this don't need to get promoted!
 
You need to report this to HR. You really don't wanna be working for this guy do you? I've seen promotions like this at work and they never turn out well.

It is usually those who crave power that are the most dangerous with it. It's obvious he's a a power monger. Do yourself and a favor and stand up to this guy! You know who you are and what you stand for and you can deal with this guy without losing your temper.

Stand up to him in front of everyone so if he loses his temper it will be out in the open with plenty of witnesses. And make that HR call. Otherwise he will be your boss soon!
 
Originally Posted By: Camu Mahubah
Stand up to him in front of everyone so if he loses his temper it will be out in the open with plenty of witnesses.


Some of us are currently staging a coup. We will finish all the crunch time assignment and when the time is right, we'll all go to the upper management (VP, director, and manager) to express our concern.

When your vendor refuse to deal with this specific individual, something is wrong.
 
But at the end of the day the boss will still promote who ever they want no matter how many employees complain.
 
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
But at the end of the day the boss will still promote who ever they want no matter how many employees complain.



The key is to intercept before the "they want" stage.
 
Pandabear,this individual causing you grief may be there acting on orders from upper management.He wants you (and possibly others) to overreact for the purpose of getting you fired.Be certain not to talk about him to anyone.Keep a daily written dated log book of what is being said to you and what you said in response.also record what you thought at the time.Don't tell anyone you are keeping this log-Not anyone.Remember don't overreact ,remain as calm as you can and don't talk too much at work.Offer information only when asked .ok
 
Originally Posted By: MrMeeks
Pandabear,this individual causing you grief may be there acting on orders from upper management.He wants you (and possibly others) to overreact for the purpose of getting you fired.Be certain not to talk about him to anyone.Keep a daily written dated log book of what is being said to you and what you said in response.also record what you thought at the time.Don't tell anyone you are keeping this log-Not anyone.Remember don't overreact ,remain as calm as you can and don't talk too much at work.Offer information only when asked .ok


That sounds like really good advice.....
 
Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
But at the end of the day the boss will still promote who ever they want no matter how many employees complain.



The key is to intercept before the "they want" stage.

+1000 raised to infinity on LT4 Vette's post.

And a preemptive strike will make no difference, if the person has an "in" with the higher-ups. And this sort of individual usually does.
 
If a company is large enough, it has at least one.

My nemesis got his management position in the call-center seemingly for being incompetent as a technician.

I sent what I believed to be a valid call-center request today. He didn't handle it. He didn't forward it to someone who could. He flooded my inbox with "INVALID REQUEST" responses.

What a team player....
 
I recommend getting a good audio recorder and keep it at the ready when you have to deal with this person.

I also agree with others. He's part of the powers that be in management, whether he's under orders or is just an [censored] kisser.

I've concluded most professional office environments are episodes of Survivor. Don't let too much info out to co-workers and be careful how you deal with this guy.

Arghhhhhhhhhhh, I can sympathize. I can not STAND office politics. It's so stupid (to me, because I'm there to get the job done, not to divide and conquer), wasteful, and time/energy consuming.

Hang in there Panda!
 
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Audio recorders are so "spy gear". Use cold email and keep copies off-site. Use lots of "you said earlier today to..." in your outgoing emails.
 
In our line of work, keeping copy of confidential information like R&D can get you fired. We don't even let IT touch our stuff for security reason.

The good thing is, job that's stressful and pay reasonable are everywhere and I've been getting recruiter calls on a weekly basis. I'm not thinking about leaving just because of this guy's possible promotion, but I'll refuse to be assign under him, like 3/4 of our team are. If the size is big enough the management will have no choice but to reassign him elsewhere.

Right now I'm using our work flow software to keep a distance between us, solving problem around him with other coworkers and vendors, so he'll be less destructive and won't be able to claim credit for them. He were hoarding assignments until they blow up and 3/4 of the team has to clean up his mess by working OT, so if anything there'll be enough collateral damage that will ding him away from leadership for a while without concession. Our only concern is that it will bring our boss down as well, and he's a nice guy that doesn't deserve this.

Only a fanboy would think working for the fruit stand is the greatest job ever. Then again, when you've design enough stuff that everyone uses and blow up enough big machinery, a fruit bar isn't all that anymore.
 
If he is getting promoted, it could be that he has an "in", or it could be that his profile and perception is one who gets things done. Despite personality and vendor issues, does his work get done? Is he up in front of higher people and does his name get mentioned to more folks? If he is noticed and associated with getting the job done, he will be mobile because the upper folks don't have time/don't want to have to think too much about it.

Like it or not, he is rising into a leadership position with you as an underling by virtue of what he says and does. You have three options: support him and the team, with a smile; provide minimal support and figure out your next move; or rise yourself to a position of leadership, get in front of the right people, and ensure that you are viewed as the team lead/go-to for your area.

Lots of people may not realize it, but strive only for averageness... In some situations it is OK, but sometimes it opens doors for jerks...
 
upper mgmt does not care, they like a "yes minister" kinda employee,
where i worked before, if ya slept with the boss you got promoted. just walk away and find another job.
 
Panda, sorry bud, been in your shoes few times, if your org is big enough just find some other team and say "I want to try something else" and move on, raising an issue with the reporting structure might yield the result you want in short run but will come to bite ya in the medium run,

Sounds like they should make full psychological testing of employees a necessary item, as part of the hiring and promotion process.

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
In our line of work, keeping copy of confidential information like R&D can get you fired. We don't even let IT touch our stuff for security reason.

The good thing is, job that's stressful and pay reasonable are everywhere and I've been getting recruiter calls on a weekly basis. I'm not thinking about leaving just because of this guy's possible promotion, but I'll refuse to be assign under him, like 3/4 of our team are. If the size is big enough the management will have no choice but to reassign him elsewhere.

Right now I'm using our work flow software to keep a distance between us, solving problem around him with other coworkers and vendors, so he'll be less destructive and won't be able to claim credit for them. He were hoarding assignments until they blow up and 3/4 of the team has to clean up his mess by working OT, so if anything there'll be enough collateral damage that will ding him away from leadership for a while without concession. Our only concern is that it will bring our boss down as well, and he's a nice guy that doesn't deserve this.

Only a fanboy would think working for the fruit stand is the greatest job ever. Then again, when you've design enough stuff that everyone uses and blow up enough big machinery, a fruit bar isn't all that anymore.
 
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