Reply to: crap boss- advice

[cojak]

I realised that I had to go the moment I lost my temper with my boss in public. No screaming or shouting but a frustrated and bad tempered statement that I had already done X had she bothered to take any notice of me or my emails.

I handed my notice in the following day and was sweetness and light for the whole of my notice period, knowing that I was out of there soon and that I could repair the scratch in my reputation.

My rep (amongst other contractors) was far more important than that contract - word gets around.

[BlasterBates]

There seems to be more bad bosses than good bosses. Keep your head down, no point getting mad.

I find if you manage to keep your temper and rise above it you feel a lot better about the whole thing than if you get mad, not that I always do.

Currently dealing with a "moderately" difficult boss, good practice, though I haven't always managed to keep my cool

[wantacontract]

advice noted...have taken the decision to just keep head down and finish without making any ripples....

thanks everyone...

[Boo]

My boss is useless and micromanages and gets things wrong, likes to threaten people, contractors and permies, etc, etc...the usual crap boss..

now is it worth kicking up a fuss and undermine his authority in a big meeting soon by showing him up over a couple of things or should I just park it because I am leaving soon....

Park it. You may not ever want to work there again right now, but if you work diligently and act fairly the others there will know that and will remember it. Your current boss may not stay there forever and if you kick up a stink the others will remember that instead of the good work you did.

I would work to leave a good impression and do my best to leave in good odour.

Boo

[DieScum]

Yeah as everyone says just rise above it. I have a rule "Never say anything critical of anyone ever in the workplace." I am very bad at sticking to it and most of the times I don't it causes me problems.

Just rise above it and focus on delivering high quality work and getting your next gig.

[NibblyPig]

The correct answer is to walk away.

From the flaming poo you left in his top drawer.

But seriously, as others say, it ain't worth it. I've burned bridges in the past and it felt amazing to tell companies how stupid they were being and what they needed to do to fix it, in my exit interviews (as a permie). However, it means I can't go back there now and ask if they need a contractor, cos they hate me (even though I was right in every instance, and after crashing and burning for 6 months they finally did what I said on all 3 occasions and it helped to solve their problems).

[clearedforlanding]

There is no place for emotion, you are operating a business.

If you take emotion out of this equation, is there any commercial advantage to engaging in this manner?

No.

[uk contractor]

Its rare to have a decent boss just ignore it work your notice out & move on. The worse thing you can ever do is slag your boss off in a meeting:

1: Its unprofessional all they have to do is tell the agency you may find a delay getting your last payment....... or you may find you even breach the T&Cs small print that's rare but it does happen.
2: Someone who matters will know someone else who matters & or is hiring. You are unlikely to be top of anyones wish list if you cannot hold your tongue in a meeting are you!
3: Most bosses no matter how they appear will not tolerate that & let you stay onsite until the contract ends. They can fire you on the spot all they have to do is call the agency & tell them your not wanted anymore & they wish to fire you.

Over a number of years I have seen 3 different contractors slag the boss off. All were never seen again the next day as they were obviously fired overnight. You might think you have some hold over the client you don't until they have paid all your invoices in full!

[jmo21]

As others have said, be professional.

Others in the company will already know, so you are only more likely to cause yourself hassle.

You might not want to work with the guy again, but being unprofessional could spoil a good relationship with someone else and potentially cost you down the line with them

[psychocandy]

If you;re leaving in a week anyway why bother?
Just stress and hassle for yourself.

[LondonManc]

Is slagging him off in a large meeting the best way that you want to represent your business? If so, go for it.

[MrMarkyMark]

FTFY

3. You are interviewing at a company and you see him in the lobby ... you wait round the corner and lay a good one on him, before he realises who it is.

[northernladuk]

I have read this reference in several posts now and struggle to see why contractor numbers are going to get smaller on a scale where this will become noticeable, when these changes come in force next year. Possibly numbers will dwindle but surely most of us will stick it out and just carry on. I will be for sure.

It would be nice to think it will no longer an easy touch and contracting by numbers so the droves if people with less experience won't be so tempted... But sadly..

[Bee]

Act as a leader.

You can talk to him in a constructive way.

[kaiser78]

I don't know about you but I find contracting to be a very small world, possibly getting smaller with the prospective changes.

I have read this reference in several posts now and struggle to see why contractor numbers are going to get smaller on a scale where this will become noticeable, when these changes come in force next year. Possibly numbers will dwindle but surely most of us will stick it out and just carry on. I will be for sure.