I work for a very small firm. My boss (the owner) often goes off on my coworkers--one left, and the other is still here. He's an intern with very little experience, and the boss will sometimes rip him a new one, when he could be a lot more tactful. From what I hear, employees in the past have left because of this.
For whatever reason, the boss doesn't act this way toward me. If he starts to, I basically react like I won't have any of it.
My question is: when he does go off on my coworker, should I speak up? I hate being the middleman in these situations. The boss will gripe to me about the coworker when he's not there, and the coworker vents to me about the boss when the boss isn't there. What should I do?
My coworkers (including the one who left) don't do great work, but it's no excuse for my boss being unprofessional. Any advice...?
2006-08-30 15:23:04 · 10 answers · asked by badsinger 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
I had a boss who was a really big jerk. He also was the business owner. This boss was always tolerable to me but constantly would dog a certain co-worker, ripping him a new one in a very public and demeaning way. One day I told my boss "he is an awesome worker, you pay him like crap and treat him even worse. He deserves respect." I became an um-employed martyr. Difficult bosses can not be changed. Your employment status can be. I've always been somewhat of a human rights advocate on the job and even those you stand up for don't appreciate it. If they keep their mouths shut, shouldn't you? As much as my heart goes out for your co-worker, and as much as I admire your care, I know if you take this matter into your hands, that you will be on the losing end. Best of luck!!!
2006-08-30 15:46:13 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor ~W. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess I would ask the boss if you could have a meeting and find out if they other employee would come and they could all have a nice little chat about how the boss treats people and why he doesn't feel that he has to yell to get his point across and why does he not want the employee to be slacking off. Maybe he would realise that it is not good office procedure to do this.
2006-08-30 22:43:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catch him at a time when you are in a private setting and explain (tactfully) what you are seeing. Maybe the boss doesn't realize he's doing this. You could also ask if there's anything you can do to help the coworker's perfprmance (brownie points with the boss).
2006-08-30 22:27:59 · answer #3 · answered by what the heck? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well speaking from my experience, I did step in, and I was the one who wound up being fired. The person I attempted to intervene for? Still there.
I think it is very honorable that you want to help. I also think maybe the coworker just needs to vent, and this may be how they cope with the situation. If the coworker specifically asks for yor assistance, do so. Otherwise, cover your...um...assets.
2006-08-30 22:31:29 · answer #4 · answered by hrhtheprincessofeire 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anyone in an office with authority over another will abuse that priviledge. Support the coworker as much as you can but don't get between the boss and the coworker.
The sad truth is that nowadays its very difficult legally to fire someone. But its really easy to get someone to quit.
these things usually boil off after a while. Hang on for a while more...
2006-08-30 22:30:55 · answer #5 · answered by John K 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The best thing you can do is to stay out of it. It is not your fight. If your boss is very unlikely to change his ways just because you said so. Like you said, you'll be a middle man and you have no way to make both sides happy.
You are already doing the best thing you could be doing - listen to his co-worker's personal gripes and be understanding.
2006-08-30 22:32:08 · answer #6 · answered by tkquestion 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not the best for you directly speak up because that will ruin your job unless you don't care, the better way is to advise your coworker how to defend or protect or wisely without causing direct conflicts. how about telling a story to imply the boss' bad behavior would hurt both the employees and him and his business?
Good luck.
2006-08-30 22:34:19 · answer #7 · answered by Maxy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first answer is good.
Bringing it to his attention while he is ripping someone else a new one could result in you being ripped a new one.
It's not a good career move to show up your boss- even if you're in the right.
2006-08-30 22:31:32 · answer #8 · answered by scooba 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you involve yourself expect to need a new job.
2006-08-30 23:22:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be quiet if you want to keep your job.
2006-08-30 22:33:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋