Our manager, in an effort to save costs, is telling all of us we have to help move our office to a new location. We’re not professional movers. The problem is, the manager has arranged to be on vacation during the move, and won’t be there to help out. We’re not happy. Anything we can do about this?
What a terd…Ok…I’ll be politically correct and simply say that your manager isn’t a “team player”?
Really? Wow…when you work in a place where management pushes their power around to dump on the employees, it’s a tough road to hoe. These are the type of managers that push employee morale to new lows. I’m going to guess that this isn’t the first, or only, thing this manager has done to dump on employees? Just a guess…
This is a subject I’ve learned quite a bit about from my radio callers. The most important thing they’ve taught me is that you and your fellow employees need to document all the instances of dumping. Take notes and keep records when things happen. Don’t count on your memory. If you can capture “evidence” on your cell phone video or voice recorder do so. I know this is legal to do in my state, even if the other party is unaware that you are recording them, but check the laws in your state.
Once you have sufficient evidence, organize as a group to decide who will be your spokesperson and make a case to the higher up bosses against your manager. There is power in numbers, so get as many fed-up employees together as you can to stand behind your claims.
Yes, there are risks involved. One risk is that the manager can turn the tables on you and make a case against you as an employee. My callers have told me stories of unethical managers who will completely fabricate lies about an employee’s work performance to get rid of the “whistleblowers”.
There are laws that protect “whistleblowers” but only you can decide if this is worth either the risk or the effort. Getting real for a moment, you need your job and I doubt you have the money and time for a legal battle. This is tough stuff.
Whatever you do, hold your head high, maintain your professionalism, and don’t get down in the dirt with this type of manager. They’re not worth ruining your professional or work reference on.
Your only real option may be to accept what is. Try and make the best of a bad situation realizing that poor managers are usually, eventually, found out and given the boot…or…start looking for a new job…or…take a personal or vacation day on moving day?!?
Embrace your Personal Power with Life Coaching~
- List all the options you have in this difficult situation.
- Gut check all your options keeping in mind the need to maintain your professionalism and personal integrity.
- Which options make the most sense to act on?
Lend your comments either here on ksal.com or anonymously at JoanJerkovich.com. We learn from each other!
Joan Jerkovich, BCC
Board Certified Life Coach
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