to hope that someone will see through this passing of the buck

[scapegoatinknickers]

I am in a difficult position.

There was a deal at work that I was uncomfortable with (conflict of interests with another client). However, the MD was desperate to secure this new client and passed off my concerns as over cautiousness.

I wasn't happy with it but proceeded with the deal, making every effort to ensure that any conflict of interest was minimal (often going against my MD).

Anyhow - the shit hit the fan and the original client (who I know personally) was very pissed off.

The MD, in an effort to cover his own back, basically blamed me. Saying that he had nothing to do with the deal and it was all my work. That I had been over eager to secure a new client etc etc.

I'm annoyed, because I should have had the balls to say no in the first place, but also because he has so totally passed the buck down to me.

Now I don't know what to do. He's the MD, so I can't exactly complain to anyone. My only option is to shut up and stay (because I need the work) or leave and tell the truth to the original client. There's no way I can tell them that the MD lied about me and stay in my current job.

I'm kind of hoping that the MD's passing of blame was so voracious, that the client will see straight through it and realise his slipperiness.

Advice please oh wise ones.

Hmmm...what type of personal capacity do you know the client in?

Well, we're not friends exactly but I have a professional relationship with them that predates his.

He's such a wanker

Not sure what to say really.

Did you put any of your concerns in writing (say an email) and, in particular, did you get any of MD's responses to those concerns in writing?

No, I didn't . They were all conversations in the office, although some were in meetings with others.

This has really made me angry on your behalf! Why is it a case of if you tell the truth about your MD you'll lose your job? I genuinely don't understand that - I just know in my job if this happened I'd be shouting it from the rafters, I can't stand stuff like this! I'm genuinely asking - why is your job forfeit if you tell the truth? If the conversations you had were in meetings with other people, who can back you up, wouldn't you be believed? I can't believe there's nothing you can do but willing to accept I may be being naive!

Because he's the MD. it's his company.

So if I tell the client the truth, we'll lose the business and he'll just fire me anyway.

What a complete fickle tosser. He doesn't deserve to have you working for him.

If you decided to leave then you could sue for constructive dismissal I believe. Not sure what I would do, probably leave if I could :(

I'm on a temporary contract, technically, so no real rights. And I need the money.

Work is very hard to come by at the moment.

If it comes up in conversation with the client, or even better if they challenge you on it, go all Bambi-eyes and look very flustered about discussing it. Then they will hopefully twig a) it's a lie b) you have been forced to go along with it completely under duress in fear for your job.

Then if they say something to MD they will hopefully know not to implicate you.

I think you need to write up the whole series of events, noting emails or phone calls along the way. If you have an HR dept, which sounds like you don't, I would just lodge it all with them. If not, just keep it, showing exactly why you disagreed with the course of action at the time and what you said and why.

You might just need to store it, but at least you have it (and you can mention casually, if push comes to shove) that you have some form of evidence....

Don't leave and claim constructive dismissal you will lose, its very difficult to prove.

It's a small firm so no HR department, just him really.

It has been a 'learning opportunity' if nothing else