Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Quick, Should I walk out of this contract? SORELY tempted to tell them to shove it...

136 replies

WideWebWitch · 28/05/2004 11:00

Eeek, talked about my wanker boss here . and it hasn't got any better, except he hasn't been here much. Now I have a meeting on Tuesday with him during which I'm fairly convinced he'll piss me off even more. I'm absolutely dreading it. This week I've been deluged by sharp, rude emails, some of which are asking me to update on stuff I haven't even been asked to do! And then getting short with me for not having done it! I've been replying to say er, you didn't ask me to do this. I promise I'm not crap, honestly I'm not - he's just awful, disorganised, a control freak. My predecessor said she felt dread at the idea of work on the days he was in the office. I feel physically sick at the idea of coming to work on Tuessday and I'm not a wimp, honest. Shall I go off sick for a few days, starting now, instead of telling them to stuff it? Any advice appreciated, am really getting myself in a state. No time to preview, sorry if this is garbled.

OP posts:
KeyCODDYplayer · 28/05/2004 11:00

Oh tell them to stuff it www
life is too short for all this crap isnt it?

WideWebWitch · 28/05/2004 11:01

WEll, I am beginning to think it's OK being poor but happy.

OP posts:
dinosaur · 28/05/2004 11:03

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Janh · 28/05/2004 11:04

www, what is his boss like? I think you did say something on the other thread (didn't join in, no epxertise whatsoever!) but can't remember.

Janh · 28/05/2004 11:05

epxertise?

Janstar · 28/05/2004 11:07

www, I was chatting to my dh last night about your situation, told him about that awful business of the figures being wiped from the board. He works in the city in a big bank, is in charge of several people so he knows what it's like. His first reaction - control freak! and could not believe that this guy did the thing with moving someone else's hands.

You need to involve your union and HR and get other people to back you up. Have you spoken to your union?

twogorgeousboys · 28/05/2004 11:09

www - take a few days off sick (the stress doesn't sound like its doing you any good). Take the time out to gather your thoughts. If you really can't manage without the money, think about alternative jobs, use the time to see what's out there.

Soapbox · 28/05/2004 11:11

WWW - can you do some quick web searches now to see what other contract work is out there? How much notice do you have to give (1 week?).

You could of course just completely turn things round, if you are not bothered about the job and just start acting imperiously when he talks to you. Say things like 'Oh little man you really can not expect me to take you seriously after xxxxx' or 'oh my goodness me who let xxxx out of his box today - now are we going to be a good boy today or are we going to be difficult'. Do this in front of as many and as varied an audience as possible in order to humiliate him at every turn. He'll soon back off if you stop playing fairly while he;s being a complete ass!!

He may then eventually completely blow it- you can then walk out claim constructive dismissal and then sue them for the fees you would have earned under the rest of the contract!!

TBH - I couldn't be arsed with this approach - I'd just walk. But he does really seem to need dealing with and maybe you are more inclined to take him on and sort him out

Freckle · 28/05/2004 11:12

I hope you've kept copies of all emails (paper copies not just on the computer).

I'd gather up all these copies, send them to the top boss (or one who you think has some grey cells which are actually working), with an explanatory letter. Say exactly why you are sending the letter, how you cannot continue to work for such a t*sser (not wise to use that word though!), and that, if they are not prepared to support you, you will leave.

KeyCODDYplayer · 28/05/2004 11:12

ooh yes soapy! I like the idea od ww going out in ablaze of glory..
maybe if oyu stand up to him he will back down?

Metrobaby · 28/05/2004 11:18

sorry to hear about your work situation www. Its awful when it gets like this as work takes up so much of your day. I would say when it gets to the point you are dreading coming in, it's not worth the hassle. Look for another contract, or if you can afford it, leave now. It isn't worth it and your boss sounds like a w*nker.

princesspeahead · 28/05/2004 11:25

go over his head. his manager will know what he is like, since he has clearly pissed people off before. And if you are thinking of leaving the job because of this wanker anyway, you have nothing to lose.
Why don't you send a short, unemotional email to his boss saying "I would be grateful for 20 mins of your time to discuss issues with my line manager. I enjoy working for [name of firm] and would like to continue to [specify what you are doing] for the remainder of my contract period, but am not prepared to do so unless:
the work and updates that I produce are acknowledged and read;
decisions that I require to be made in order to carry out my work are made in due time;
my authority is not undermined (wrongly, unprofessionally and unnecessarily) in front of my team;
I am not heckled for "overdue" work which I have not been asked to do;
I am dealt with at all times in the courteous and professional manner that I accord to others.

I am sorry to have to involve you in this, but I the manner in which [name boss from hell] manages his team is something that needs addressing, both in relation to my ability to complete my contract and in relation to the [name of department]'s ability to fulfil their potential for the benefit of the firm going forward.

I look forward to hearing from you with a suggested meeting time. [maybe suggest a couple of times here].

What do you think?!

WideWebWitch · 28/05/2004 11:29

Thank you thank you thank you. I had to stop myself spluttering at my desk, soapbox, at the thought of saying those things to him. Have also just had an imperious and stitching up email from the young gurly he's shagging, the cheeky bitch. There isn't a union Janstar so no good going there but thanks for the suggestion. I think going off sick this afternoon is in order actually. Ds has an inset day so we could all go to the zoo! If I feel like coming in on Weds maybe I will but only IF he's not here. Janh, I don't know what his boss is like as he's not based here. Here's a good example of my doing what I'm supposed to fo though - last week we were asked to provide some documentation for tosser as his boss had asked for it. Except me, I wasn't asked to since I was already providing it (unasked, have done it since I got here) anyway. My only hope is that he's about to be transferred to the head office and I won't be reporting to him if and when I come in on Weds. You're all great, thanks. Much as I fancy flouncing out grand style, think I'll just go sick meaning I don't have to deal with it today or Tuesday.

OP posts:
WideWebWitch · 28/05/2004 11:31

PPh your post wasn't there when I posted. Hmm, really worth thinking about.

OP posts:
Batters · 28/05/2004 11:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pamina3 · 28/05/2004 11:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

princesspeahead · 28/05/2004 11:41

go on www, go and see the head guy and be very professional, act like it isn't your problem, you can always walk, but dump him in it completely with the stats. You must treat the boss completely like an equal, tell him what he should think of you, and then he will listen.

go in and say "look, I'm a freelance. I go in and out of a lot of organisations. I work for a lot of people who, if I was in a permanent post, would be working for me. Or, in fact, who I'd sack. I don't have a problem with that, I'm good at getting on with the good the bad and the ugly, and if I don't enjoy a job I leave. And I've never had to discuss a manager with his boss before. But in this case I really do feel I have to for all sorts of reasons. First, I'm not the first good person who is likely to leave the firm because of him, and unless he is dealt with I'm not going to be the last. This may just cause high staff turnover which you can live with, but it may eventually result in litigation which will be your problem.
Second, because the message he is providing the firm with about the department is untrue, the statistics are wrong. That is an issue for you, who has ultimate responsibility, and obviously also for the firm as a whole and its shareholders. Third, because he can't keep his trousers closed, and this results in bad team morale, undeserved promotions, and potentially more litigation.

So. There are all the issues - the only one I'm concerned about is - am I going to be able to carry on with my work in a professional and well managed environment - for example by reporting directly to you, or in fact taking over [wanker]'s job on a contract basis while you deploy him elsewhere and look for someone else for the long term role - or am I going to get paid out of this contract by you and part amicably?

Go on, give it a shot. It will be deeply empowering and satisfying.

princesspeahead · 28/05/2004 11:43

and of course if he moves wanker sideways and gives you his job, you charge them more!

KeyCODDYplayer · 28/05/2004 11:43

pph youa re a cool dudestress

Janh · 28/05/2004 11:45

ooooh, pph!

KeyCODDYplayer · 28/05/2004 11:46

she is a luittle scary - thats how you become a princess

KeyCODDYplayer · 28/05/2004 11:46

"Third, because he can't keep his trousers closed, and this results in bad team morale, undeserved promotions, and potentially more litigation. "

princesspeahead · 28/05/2004 11:49

thank you, thank you ladies!
as you can tell, I don't really like bullies. I think she should sock it to him. And the only way she can is if she goes in to the boss with a "I don't really care, but you should and here's why" attitude...!

oliveoil · 28/05/2004 11:49

pph - bet noone argues with you for long, v good posts.

WideWebWitch · 28/05/2004 11:50

About to copy it word for word into an email and edit to send to his boss. Pph, I too am in awe

OP posts: