Can I go over my bosses head?? He never gets anything done!?

Question

~~~ My boss,,grrrr. We ask him questions, for example we need to go through our boss to get supplies, he has to OK our supply order, or if there is information we need to know, we have to get the final confirmed information from our boss. We email him, ask him in person,,,its always I'll get to that,,,,sometimes weeks go by with out an answer,,, so when I do go over his head and ask "his" boss about certain issues,,,my boss goes crazy and starts ranting and raving "there she goes! going over my head!!!!!!!" and when I say,,but in order for me to do my job correctly,,I need these issues addressed asap,,,,,(most of these issues are a quick yes or no answer, no research needed,,,,just yes or no answer )
This boss of mine is usually on the internet or on his cell phone talking to his wife,,,,,,never really "there" for his imediate employees,,,,I cant go to personell because my boss and head of personel are "drinking buddies" there is no confidentiality if I talk to personel.......

Answer 1

First I would recommend all requests be in writing, preferably in an email format. This allows you to document what is going on. Make your emails as professional and to the point as possible. For instance, when it comes to a supply request, state exactly what you need and if possible what project you need it for.

Example:

I am requesting that you approve the purchase of new lined 8.5 x 11 yellow note pads as I have taken the 2nd to the last one. I am also in need of 3 binders approximately 2" thick for the Johnson project reports. Please let me know by the end of the day tomorrow if I have your approval so that they supplies will arrive in time to allow me to finish the report you needed.

If he doesn't respond or says he will get to it later, follow-up at the end of the following day.

Sir, I am following up on my request for the notepads and binders. Since I have not heard from you I was wondering if you needed any additional information from me. Please let me know what I can do to expedite this request.

By doing the above, you have now shown that you are professional, diligent without being demanding and that you are trying to do the best job possible. Keep a copy of all of this documentation. Prior to going over your bosses head, send a third email stating that if he doesn't have the time currently, you would be willing to get approval from someone else, and ask who he would recommend you go to.

Realize that it is ridiculous to require a manager to sign off on every little thing. I do not doubt he is wasting time, BUT at one point I had to approve every request for paper clips and notepad prior to us ordering them. Some days I was in meetings all day, I would get to my desk and there would be an urgent request because we were out of supplies. Then I had to go to the office supply place on my way home so the office would function the next day.

Also, it was inevitable that I would be on my way to the restroom when someone would stop me and ask me questions about a project. I wouldn't have the info in front of me. I freq said I would get to it, but when I was back at my desk, other concerns overwhelmed the request in the hall. I loved getting a meeting request with a brief summary of everything the person wanted to talk about, that way I could schedule a meeting and focus. I had to learn that when someone came to my door and asked for 5 minutes I needed to tell them, send a meeting request.

Email documentation will help you in the long run if there IS an issue with personnel and/or going over your bosses head. You now have proof you tired to follow the rules and were doing your job.

If you like your job and the company, try to work things out. Take initiative and send an email recommending the supply thing change and explain exactly why it should change. Send a copy to your boss. If your job is just ok, then look for a place where your experience will be appreciated.

Answer 2

My boss is a smart guy but not that smart. He is however a terrible manager but a great BSr He hired me on several years back and after a couple weeks I picked up some projects. I started working a project and found some problems with what he planned to do. I went to him to explain what was wrong and to show him what needed to get done. He asked who I worked for. Working for him the last 5 years we have had about 5 conversations. I do like a manager with a hands off approach, because I don’t need a baby sitter but dang; at least know my name and who works for you. In your case I would not confront him. You would be better off taking over as a manager for him and asking to hire more people to pick up the slack. You then save the day and work the bosses incompetence out of the picture. This will take time and finesse.

Answer 3

I would definitely go over your bosses bosses head!! DOCUMENTATION. As a former manager, the only thing you can do is keep documentation, my last boss preached this to me everyday if I had a problem. I guarantee you that since your boss is such a lazy *** then he most likely has no documentation for every situation to back himself up. Also don't be afraid to go as high as you need to. Another idea, if you are pretty close to a lot of people at work that feel exactly the same way as you do, then do a petition and have others sign it and maybe put their input. Then he will have no right to say, "There SHE goes again"! And if he does say "there she goes again" shove all your documentation in his face!!

Answer 4

I would keep a log of all of these things, copies of your emails in hardcopy and highlght dates and response dates, etc.

Then I would ask for a meeting with the CEO/President and lay out the problems you are having meeting production and job performance due to this supervisor's lack of professionalism and dedication to the job.

Be sure to point out the only time he acts is when you have gone above his head to get things done.

If asked why you did not report this to Personnel Director - explain your observation that your supervisor and the Personnel Director are buddies, and that your experience has been there is no confidentiality.

I would also have written statements from the other personnel in your department that share your concerns and issues.

Then present him with a solution to the problem. Executives will deal with issues and help you - especially if you show that you aren't simply complaining - but have thought through and can propose a solution.

Best of luck to you

Answer 5

Basically you should sit back and let your boss dig his own grave. Ask him via email for the supplies and the information. Save all of your correspondence and then when the report is late and someone's yelling you will be able to produce the email asking for the information that was never responded to. Two things will happen - your boss will get in trouble and will shape up or your boss will get in trouble and then get fired.

Answer 6

Yes you can go over your boss's head and it appears you have already done so from your post. The situation you are in Will not get better as long as you have the same boss. As difficult as it maybe you might consider other employment if indeed his boss is his drinking buddy. Or you can stay and fight it out and get upper management or your Human Resource Office involved. I wish you luck.

Answer 7

Just a heads up .. your boss' boss may not want anything to do with you. Not only that, he may just be wondering why you arent going to your boss to get your questions answered. I've seen some bosses where they turn their noses up at the people that work below them thinking they are too good for them.

Be careful, if you go over your boss' head, it may backfire on you.

Answer 8

The 'drinking buddy' arrangement is exactly the reason this incompetent lazy fool is allowed to remain on the payroll. You are between a rock and a hard place. If this remains as untenable as it is, I would recommend finding different employment in a decent working environment.