My boss stole my idea

Ang1ePhalange · 2021-11-11T23:08:56+00:00

My boss stole my idea and pitched it in a meeting as hers. It was well received. It was a very serious meeting with lots of very senior people discussing very important issues (government). AIBU to feel upset that she pinched my idea? Should I just take it as a compliment? I’m a temp so don’t want to bring it up with her and lose my job.

AmandaHoldensLips · 11/11/2021 23:10

What a bitch. I'd kick off big time about that kind of shit.

Gingernaut · 11/11/2021 23:11

Yup.

That's what bosses do. Steal ideas.

Either get used to it or find another job.

BonesInTheOcean · 11/11/2021 23:12

@AmandaHoldensLips

What a bitch. I'd kick off big time about that kind of shit.

Sure you would

NeedsCharging · 11/11/2021 23:22

Happened to me about 16 months ago.
I can prove it was my idea but I feel its pointless. However I will never share ideas again unless I am names as the source.

I feel your anger and frustration OP.
Just learn from it.

SummerWhisper · 11/11/2021 23:24

If you sent her the idea by email, send it to her manager and the chair of the meeting...

"Hi everybody, just want to thank Janice for sharing the below at today's meeting. As a temp, it's a big deal to have your ideas heard. I'm blown away by the support it received. Really can't thank Janice enough for championing this and giving me the confidence to apply for her job."

Pleasedonteliminate · 11/11/2021 23:27

Happened to me before,i didn't even know...around 3 years later I happened to be having a conversation with her then boss (got a promotion because of the idea) and I said something about what had happened when I implemented it and a very fine detail of it- he 3as completely shocked told me what had happened...and can't look at the staff member the same again, coincidentally I then got a promotion...

OnTheBoardwalk · 11/11/2021 23:32

Happened to me many years ago. My boss could and did pitch it better than I ever could

The boss then really looked out for me the next 10;years. Are they giving you any recognition?

jackstini · 11/11/2021 23:33

Loving Summer's approach!
So annoying when this happens

I had it in a meeting once but luckily there were a lot of questions on how the concept was arrived at and boss didn't have a clue so had to defer to me (red-faced!)

Original poster

Ang1ePhalange · 12/11/2021 06:33

No, no recognition at all. I won’t be sharing any future ideas that’s for sure

OP posts:

Original poster

Ang1ePhalange · 12/11/2021 06:37

Summer’s suggestion is great! If only I’d put my idea in writing. I shared it at a team meeting a few weeks earlier so will ask colleagues if they remember me sharing it. The people my boss pitched it to, are very high up and would look odd if little me were to email them

OP posts:

CeeceeBloomingdale · 12/11/2021 06:44

I would say directly to her (ideally in front of others) that you're so glad she liked you idea a took it up the chain. Isn't it marvellous how they liked it etc and watch her squirm.

Neron · 12/11/2021 06:48

Can you email her, asking for feedback on your idea? You know it was presented, but ask if there were things they liked, didn't like, any changes etc.

That way, it's in writing, but it's also something to use in a new job if you got one. An answer for one of those 'tell me about a time when' questions.

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 12/11/2021 06:54

How sure are you that the idea you discussed in the team meeting was new to the group? Is it possible that it's something that others including your manager had already thought of and been planning to escalate?

Original poster

Ang1ePhalange · 12/11/2021 07:32

Definitely a new idea pitched to the group. I was at the meeting as an observer. So she knew I was there in the meeting and could easily have told the group it was my idea.

OP posts:

DukeofEarlGrey · 12/11/2021 07:37

I’ve had this and in a commercial environment, so my boss directly profited from stealing my ideas and gave me no credit - only the responsibility for making them happen in his name. It was one of many things wrong with his ‘leadership’ style and I chose to leave.

EarringsandLipstick · 12/11/2021 07:40

@Gingernaut

Yup.

That's what bosses do. Steal ideas.

Either get used to it or find another job.

No that's not what 'bosses' do. I'm a manager, I've never done this.

One of my team coming up with a good idea is brilliant, and I'm delighted to promote it on their behalf. It reflects well on me too, that I've created a team environment where people can be innovative.

So no, it's not something that's the norm.

EarringsandLipstick · 12/11/2021 07:43

OP I'd bring it up with your manager. Just state clearly what you feel happened.

It may not resolve it but you'll have been clear with them.

If something like this occurred on my team, I'd welcome someone bringing it to me.

I'm not saying this is the case with you; however, sometimes I have had direct reports who think something is all their own work; in reality I may have planned & designed it & given them direction about carrying it out. I will be very clear with them where the responsibility was, and my role.

Original poster

Ang1ePhalange · 12/11/2021 07:45

Indeed! I have never done this and have always credited my team. I encourage them to bring forward ideas and I give them the opportunity to pitch it them themselves.

OP posts:

HappyMeal564 · 12/11/2021 07:55

@SummerWhisper

If you sent her the idea by email, send it to her manager and the chair of the meeting...

"Hi everybody, just want to thank Janice for sharing the below at today's meeting. As a temp, it's a big deal to have your ideas heard. I'm blown away by the support it received. Really can't thank Janice enough for championing this and giving me the confidence to apply for her job."

🤣🤣 my favourite comment, thank you for making me smile!

GrandPrismatic · 12/11/2021 08:02

Yes this happens ALL the time. It depends on the individual though. I’m the ideas person but generally quite introverted. My ex boss had not a clue but was amazing at taking an idea and pitching it beautifully to get buy in. He looked out for me as I was his source of glory and I got my ideas implemented - if I had pitched them myself, I may not have. Worked well….for a couple of years…until he started believing that all the ideas were his and the relationship crumbled a bit then…I’m quite philosophical about it though. When it worked well, it suited all parties….but perhaps it is not sustainable in the long term. Getting recognition and acknowledgment for your contribution is key.

DrManhattan · 12/11/2021 08:09

As previously posted, this happens all the time.
I've had one boss take my name off a slide and put hers on!
You're always going to get this to some degree but if she's doing this already, I would move to another job / department.

FAQs · 12/11/2021 08:13

Please do what Summer suggested, I’m too old and ragged to put up with that shot, you have to push yourself because nobody will do it for you!! Doesn’t matter if you think they’ll find it odd you have emailed, I’m sure they won’t and might be surprised by your tenacity, let’s face it that’s how they would have got there themselves.

FAQs · 12/11/2021 08:13

Shit not shot ha

springiscoming12 · 12/11/2021 08:17

@SummerWhisper

If you sent her the idea by email, send it to her manager and the chair of the meeting...

"Hi everybody, just want to thank Janice for sharing the below at today's meeting. As a temp, it's a big deal to have your ideas heard. I'm blown away by the support it received. Really can't thank Janice enough for championing this and giving me the confidence to apply for her job."

Yeah don’t do this OP if you want to keep your job. Maybe have a quiet word with your boss and ask her for some acknowledgment.

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 12/11/2021 08:18

This isnt what bosses do, its what bad bosses do. Mine will happily say in meetings who has done what and while I am not a people manager I am senior and will happily give people credit for their good work, for a few reasons -
It's the right thing to do, I view it as stealing otherwise
I think it reflects well on me if people I am coaching are progressing
People with great ideas usually get ahead and they will remember if you treated them like shit

Anyway I think this approach is brilliant "Can you email her, asking for feedback on your idea? You know it was presented, but ask if there were things they liked, didn't like, any changes etc.

That way, it's in writing, but it's also something to use in a new job if you got one. An answer for one of those 'tell me about a time when' questions."

Non confrontational but sets it in writing and subtly lets her know you havent forgotten it