Reply to: What would you do???

[TheBigYinJames]

Even stranger though approximately 1 week later with no warning or anything she was removed from our project

She was bonking someone. Always is.

[chris79]

I had a similar situation happen to me last year where a colleague I was working with became very friendly with our (at the time) female team manager. Me and the so called colleague (another contractor) didn't see eye to eye and so he took the opportunity to put his views across to our boss, who then turned on me, without even assessing the situation, or asking my own side of things. She just took his word that what he said was correct (effectively he was accusing me of not contributing and slacking, when in actual fact it was the other way round).

After a few days of things going back and forth I decided enough was enough, so I called her bluff over a phonecall and said "just tell me right now if you have a problem with me, or the way things are going, and I'll hand my notice in today for you". She then backtracked and at that point I knew the ball was in my court. Even stranger though approximately 1 week later with no warning or anything she was removed from our project and we ended up with a new manager who I previously knew and got on very well with. Things have been rosy in the garden ever since!

[lambrini_socialist]

All - thanks for your helpful and varied responses. He's been stuck in meetings today so I haven't been able to deliver the 'Good News' but given that I do want to retain the possibility of working for the company again, it's cowardly option 3. for me...anyone need a Business PM (available in 6 weeks) nices bosses only to respond please???

B

disappointing that you're not going to use the opportunity to set this guy straight. you may want to work for the company again, but surely you don't want to work for him again??

[the_duderama]

My last permmie boss was like that - classic example of SMS as well (small man syndrome), micro-management, constant contradiction, you'd say black, then he'd call you an idiot and say white, then a week later he'd say black when you say white, again calling you an idiot and asking why he you were still working here, thought it was funny to threaten to sack people, etc etc.

Shocked me to start with, I'd expereinced poor managers in the past, most were either just arogant or lazy, but this guy was sadistic, but in the end i didn't pay any heed to him, and just worked to book, like all the other staff. He then have the cheek to complain about the poor moral and lack of motivation within the company! Needless to say he kinda forced me into contracting - plus all the other cool stuff.

If i was you i would ignore him, work to book (or the terms of your contract) and start looking elsewhere, then tell his boss why you've left.

[bracken]

Thanks

All - thanks for your helpful and varied responses. He's been stuck in meetings today so I haven't been able to deliver the 'Good News' but given that I do want to retain the possibility of working for the company again, it's cowardly option 3. for me...anyone need a Business PM (available in 6 weeks) nices bosses only to respond please???

B

[Turion]

There's always the "sorry won't be in for a while, broke my leg on the weekend" option...

Yes, send your cv out to every agency you know, saying your immediately available. If you get a new gig, just walk. Your 2 week holiday could be a hinderance in this case though. Personally I would not take this type of crap so would either have been booted out or walked into another contract long ago.

[phil5476]

I'm heading towards 3) but it seems a cowardly way out...

B

There's your answer. I don't think you want to go with your tail between your legs so either take option 2 or give as good as you get till the contracts up.

After all you've got nothing to lose.

[DieScum]

In a similar situation I opted for number 3.

The PM was a dick. The worse thing were the meetings. He'd just rant. Everything was an argument. Anything he didn't agree with or understand first time had no chance.

On top of that was working away, staying in a pretty crap hotel, usually ended up just getting a sandwich out the supermarket at night.

Just looked at all that and thought **** it. I'm living in a bedsit, my days are plagued by absurd meetings, I'm not even eating right. Life is too short.

Handed in notice. Made up some BS reasons. Couldn't be bothered giving constructive feedback. Just wanted to close the door and walk out.

One of the best things I have ever done.

I hear what you are saying about your wife and her security but if she has never been in the situation then she won't know. I've had hassle from girlfriends/parents everytime I have made a big move ... and it has always worked out well.

[Sausage Surprise]

Happened to me before so I sorted a new gig first and then gave notice that I wouldn't be coming back after my hols. Explained issues to the big boss but the pain in the arse was contracted through him....I wasn't the first contractor to leave this way and the other guy had been there for 3 years.....

[chris79]

The problem here isn't the job, it's the person who you have to work with. It's obviously got to the point where it's having a physical and mental impact on you. I think the choices you have put forward are fairly reasonable, it's either put up with it and take the money, or refuse to let someone do this to you. It's hard to accept the latter because ultimately they are ******* you over in work, or if you leave it's because of them so ultimately they **** you over in that sense too.

I think the comments posted above are also sensible ones, life IS too short to put up with tulip like this, if your circumstances allow it (financially, etc), then do yourself a favour and part company asap. It's a big move to make and a big decision but you have to put yourself first. Use the time out to go and do something, plan a trip somewhere, or so.

If I was in your position this is the way I would deal with it - fortunately I'm the kind of person where if I end up confronted with this kind of situation I can put personal feelings and emotions to one side and state the facts to the person the way the situation is. I would ask for a meeting with them, 1 on 1, or with someone else present if you feel they are so unreasonable you cannot speak to them without a witness. Get them in a room and tell them the exact issues you have, the aggressive attitude, etc, and that it's making working with them very difficult. You will get one of two responses, either they realise the problem and that you are prepared to put it to them, in which case they may reconsider their actions, or you will get denial and they will continue as if the problem is yours. If this happens then consider your own options which is you are in an impossible situation and give them your notice. At least you gave them the opportunity to do something about it, and you will feel better knowing that you 'put it to them' rather than just left without confronting the situation. You are within YOUR RIGHTS to do this, and you should not fear that someones aggressive attitude takes away those rights.

[ChimpMaster]

Lewis makes some very good points and I'd generally go for that route. However you've got to bear in mind that you only have a little while left there so just get through it for the money. 6 weeks is not long at all, but the money could prove invaluable.

Start looking for other work now too - imagine that you're on a notice period and that you've been given lots of time to search for new work.

I nearly left this contract due to similar reasons to you, but fortunately I drilled through and am still here more than a year later. The dragon b1tch that used to "manage" us was booted out.

[rootsnall]

Politely and firmly stand up to him ! If you are asked to do something unreasonable say NO. Most bully boy managers will move onto giving someone else a hard time if you aren't playing along. Worst they can do is kick you out which is no big deal in the grander scheme of things.

[VectraMan]

I think I'd grin and bear it and take the cash whilst it's on offer. 2 months really isn't very long, and if you're taking 2 weeks off that's only six you have to work.

As for the sleepless nights, why do you care so much? You're going to be out of there in 6 weeks.

[Lewis]

4 months into a 6 month gig contracted direct to the end client. Working away from home, ok rate, company generally ok but immediate boss is an absolute nightmare to work for (he's pretty aggressive and unreasonable in every respect!) and it's causing me issues with not sleeping, being generally unhappy etc. I'm seriously considering giving the required 4 weeks notice today as it takes me to my planned two week holiday and then forgo the remaining month on the contract. The issue is that I would work for the company again but never for this person. I think my options are:

1) Grin and bear it and not give notice - makes wifey happy but does nothing for me. Protects the income in these tough times.
2) Give him the notice and tell him the real reasons why - feels like the right thing to do.
3) Give him notice and make up some 'softer reasons' such as 'family issues with working away' or 'medical issues' - leaves it open for the future.
4) Just walk out today - very unprofessional

I'm heading towards 3) but it seems a cowardly way out...what would you do / have you done in a similar situation?

B

I had a similar situation once. Sarcasm, micro managing, unreasonable behaviour, rudeness, you-contractors-this-you-contractors-that etc. etc. After a few months I started dreading work every monring and started getting moody. I realised life is too short and thought f&ck it, I'd rather be doing the gardening. So I took option 2. I wasn't going to pretend I had some issue. As it happens I didn't need to speak to the actual guy as it was his line manager that dealt with this stuff. He wasn't surprised, said no hard feelings but didn't try to get me to stay, problem was the guy was too essential to the business, plus of course he was a different person to his manager. I then learnt that was the 4th person in a row to go because of him. These people won't change and life is too short to be around them. I got a great gig a week later on 60% more money and stayed for 2 years! Everything lifted like a weight the minute I said I was leaving. This was also in bad times back in 2003/4 so I knew I was risking being off for some time (I had no dependents). Be sure you have the cash to keep you going though. I wouldn't make up medical issues and stuff. Just be honest but in a non-emotional, professional way if you can. e.g. this isn't the sort of working environment I am prepared to work in. Good luck.

[Ardesco]

Promise to give the local junkie a tenner for smack if he tops this annoying boss, works every time