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Original poster

I have a week left before maternity leave and a new chairman has just started - is it worth possibly falling out with him?

36 replies

Enid · 30/03/2006 08:53

As he has removed almost all evidence of me (all comments i made bar one, some of which should directly influence how we proceed) from the minutes of our last meeting and attached some research about marketing (done and presented by me) as if it is from him and all his idea.

He is coming in today and part of me is so furious and upset I want to sort out why this is, and part of me thinks I should just ignore it.

OP posts:
edam · 30/03/2006 08:56

I would be STEAMING in your shoes.

Original poster
Enid · 30/03/2006 08:57

i know

but I have spent the last two months fighting my corner and am so tired and fed up with it

am coming across as a belligerent cow when tbh I just want to do a good job and leave everything happily for my return

OP posts:
schneebly · 30/03/2006 08:59

no, I wouldn't ignore it - he is out of order and if you dont sort it out you will be left fuming! I would just say that you do not agree that the minutes are an accurate reflection of the meeting and tell him why - you also deserve recognition for your marketing research. Good luck. Smile

Bozza · 30/03/2006 09:00

I would say sort it out because you want to leave him with the impression that you will stand your ground and then go on maternity leave next week and forget all about it.

Kathy1972 · 30/03/2006 09:10

Sort it out in case he uses the minutes in the future to try to prove that you didn't do the research (if he tries to suggest to anyone else that you didn't do much work, for instance).

Original poster
Enid · 30/03/2006 09:13

yes feeling a bit paranoid that that is why he has done it

CANNOT get my head round WHY he would have done it? Dh suggests that he has just convinced himself that he did do it. So so weird.

OP posts:
WideWebWitch · 30/03/2006 09:18

It's not on imo to remove someone's comments from the minutes of a meeting - you were there, you SAID them, he can't just remove them as if they never happened! Hey, it's normal (not nice but happens quite a bit) to take the glory having not done the work, HOW exactly did he present it as his? did he say here's some research I DID or what?

WideWebWitch · 30/03/2006 09:20

Because if he was just saying to a wider audience or to some outside body 'this is the research we (as an organisation) have done' then I think it doesn't matter that you're not credited, you're all part of the same organisation. If, otoh, he is saying 'this research I CARRIED OUT' then it's not on imo. I think you can be calm about the minutes and write him a note saying 'actually, I said xyz, please could you amend the minutes to reflect that? Thanks' - you don't need to be stroppy about it, just stay professional.

hunkermunker · 30/03/2006 09:21

Who took the minutes?

Had a boss who used to do this - say "I don't think you quite grasped what was happening there, here, I'll write this bit for you" - er, I don't think so, you're not changing it to reflect your own glory, you power-mad bitch.

Sorry, bit of a rant.

Just present him with a copy of the minutes as accurate and ask him to approve them.

harpsichordcarrier · 30/03/2006 09:30

yes, it's worth it
if you have the energy
I would confront him and approach it like this:
I was a bit surprised to see that you ....... I wondered why you had not acknowledged my contribution? Is there some reason I don't know about? Some political reason why it should look lie yours alone?

WideWebWitch · 30/03/2006 09:32

Agree with harpsi and hunker. You don't have to fall out with him, just stand your ground and be professional.

Original poster
Enid · 30/03/2006 09:45

I sent an email yesterday saying something along the lines of 'thank you for the minutes and attachments. I do think xxx is a very good idea and should help to develop the organisation (brown nose brown nose). Re the marketing and newsletter research, this is something I have been working on over the past year and in fact have had many meetings with designers and a marketing consultant to produce the strategy that I presented at the meeting on Friday. I would be grateful if you could reword the attachment to reflect that. Thanks etc etc etc etc Enid'

Anyway he replied saying he was coming into the office today to discuss it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Enid · 30/03/2006 09:45

my assistant took the minutes, he read her draft and rewrote them

OP posts:
Original poster
Enid · 30/03/2006 09:49

BROCHURE AND NEWSLETTER

I have been thinking a little about the question of the xxxxxxx brochure, which is very attractive, but poses problems for management to produce regularly and on time. If just one tutor fails to provide details of a course, or a requested image, the whole brochure can be delayed.

Yet it is necessary to have a small brochure for publicity purposes to be distributed to shops, Tourist Offices, village halls etc. Several members of the Council of Management suggested that a newsletter would possibly be easier to produce and I am keen to find a solution which can be put into effect for September.

I would propose that we have an xxxxxxxxx brochure which is printed once a year and which contains general information about most of the courses and how to enrol. The format could be very similar to the present brochure but with more generalised information.

In addition we publish a newsletter three times a year with details about each course and application forms. This would mean that each course, seminar, special event would have a write up and a booking form. There could be, for example, a brief summary of present courses and highlighting upcoming courses and events.

Needless to say, the xxxxx email address would appear on the brochure and application forms would be downloadable from the website. We should encourage present students, members and potential customers to use our website for full details of each course and event.

I would very much welcome your views and opinions on this issue.

HIS NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS

He never said a word in the meeting when I presented it. Some of it has been changed from what I recommended. Notice how I am not mentioned AT ALL (I am not on the Council of Mnagement)

am i overreacting???

OP posts:
WideWebWitch · 30/03/2006 09:54

Hmm, I don't think it's that bad. But enid, I work in a different sector as you know and there it would be totally acceptable for me to do a big piece of work, give it to my boss, let him add his comments and then pass it on to his boss as his 'stuff'. Hmm, his recommendation maybe? I wouldn't say as his 'work' because it wouldn't be presented as his work, his boss would KNOW I'd done the legwork but that the end result was a collaboration. My job is to make my boss look good so I have no issue with it - he's happy with me, I've done what he asked and progressed whatever needed progressing in the organisation.

I think you need to stand firm on the minutes, not sure what I think about the other doc tbh.

WideWebWitch · 30/03/2006 09:56

Oh I see, he says 'I'VE BEEN THINKING' and actually, he hasn't, is that right? YOU'VE been thinking? And he's added his comments without consulting you and made out it was all his great idea? Hmm, I;d have more of a problem with that I think.

WideWebWitch · 30/03/2006 09:57

So could you say 'I proposed this (or similar) at the meeting and so I wonder if you could change the wording to reflect that?' - who will this go to? If it's to people who were at the meeting and know damn well it was all your idea then I don't think I'd bother arguing tbh, they know it was.

WideWebWitch · 30/03/2006 09:58

Actually, don't say 'I wonder if' that's a request and wooly, say 'I'd like you to' !

expatinscotland · 30/03/2006 10:00

This proves my original theory that work just sucks royally.

motherinferior · 30/03/2006 10:00

The only time anything like this has happened I too was steaming (although, ahem, it was complicated by the fact I'd had an affair with the bloke who'd nicked my idea Blush). I think, seriously, you should do what you can to stick to your guns and stick up for yourself, but not beat yourself up if under the circ you can't be arsed to go the final mile.

expatinscotland · 30/03/2006 10:01

He's probably expecting you to ignore it b/c you're away next week.

puddle · 30/03/2006 10:05

I think that the minutes need to:

  • recognise your work and state what the proposal was that you presented
  • make it clear that he is recommending some of your proposals but has changed others
  • refer readers to your original proposals in their consideration of his proposals.

Does that make sense?

Original poster
Enid · 30/03/2006 10:26

thanks puddle

thats great

will gently push him in that direction when he comes in

OP posts:
CountessDracula · 30/03/2006 10:27

god I wouldn't bother

But then I have all the ambition of a pea atm

Original poster
Enid · 30/03/2006 10:36

yes rapidly losing the will to live

may not bother saying anything

its obvious that it is my idea as has been featured heavily in minutes previously, so anyone who really cares will see that. Probably noone really gives a shit tbh

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