Last week my boss was out on vacation, and our labor relations guy discovered something that made him go ballistic. Part of my job is to forward along personnel actions, but I received an approval report that was labeled incorrectly. I forwarded it along for signature with the item that corresponded to the label, which resulted in the wrong thing getting approved, which means a bunch of prison wardens will get an early pay raise. He's holding me responsible because I'm the one who routes these things, but I think the person who incorrectly labeled the write-up and everyone who signed off on it after that are at least equally responsible. They're throwing me under the bus because I'm still in my probationary period and I think they want to wash me out anyways. Well, I have to inform my boss about it when she comes back today... I don't want to take the full blame because I don't deserve it but I don't want to appear like I'm fingerpointing either. How should I go about this?
2007-07-01 23:17:15 · 8 answers · asked by Firstd1mension 5 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment ➔ Other - Careers & Employment
I'd like to make you feel better by telling you that none of this is your fault, but that just isn't true. Companies put a system of checks and balances into place in order to prevent such a catastrophe from happening. EVERYONE involved in this chain should have paid more attention to the document, including yourself. As an HR professional, I see these things all the time. Here's what you do: Tell your boss that there is an urgent matter you need to discuss with her (because YOU want the opportunity to talk to her about it before she catches wind of it from someone else!). Start the discussion with, "A problem has arisen that I wasn't able to catch before it was too late." This lets her know that the problem was there BEFORE you got a hand in it. Explain that your received these forms with this particular label and you forwarded them on as expected, but it wasn't until later that you realized that there was an error in the labeling so your actions were also erred. Say something about understanding the company's system of checks and balances, and offer that you've learned that you should always double-check the paperwork before forwarding on, just in case one of your colleagues has made a mistake. Apologize, and then ask her, "How should we proceed at this point?" This tells her that you are interested in solving the problem now and don't want to dwell on what happened. It also shows that you understand your role in the problem, but also your role in preventing it from happening in the future. And using "we" when you talk about how to proceed tells her that you're confident that this isn't an offense that could cost you your job. When the employee starts feeling like he could/should be fired, it makes it easier for the employer to do that. If you show that you still feel part of the team, your employer will know that she will have an uphill battle trying to get rid of you. Good luck!
2007-07-01 23:36:04 · answer #1 · answered by tooblessed2doubt 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing better than telling the plain truth about the facts of events that took place during your boss' vacation. Should you have committed any mistake on your part, it is always good to admit and acknowledge them and to apologize. I'm pretty sure that your boss is an upright person. I pray for you that the whole thing will be settled well on your boss' return.
2007-07-01 23:56:25 · answer #2 · answered by Binnus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the difficulty is human beings like him tend to flow around the fabulous jobs. Its like some sort of boys club. Like soccer managers, they drag a club right down to the backside of the league, on the verge of financial disaster, get sacked, however the subsequent week they pop up at yet another club, I propose how did that interview pass 'Uhhh, I dragged a stable soccer club down and led them to 10 consecutive losses ....... am i able to have the interest?' ITV are a sinking deliver besides.
2016-09-28 21:45:42 · answer #3 · answered by geissel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The guy who made the first mistake can't hold you responsible for merely passing along the mistake.
2007-07-01 23:26:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take the full blame and let her decide. You will come off much better this way in the long run, as long as you make it through today.
2007-07-01 23:20:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
you should immediately initiate actions to rescind the inappropriate action, and tell your supervisor objectively exactly what happened...if you f ed up take the heat.
2007-07-01 23:22:56 · answer #6 · answered by David B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Accept some of the blame, but put it where it rightfully should be as well.
If it's you or them, it should always be you.
2007-07-01 23:20:57 · answer #7 · answered by Shaggy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just tell the truth it will come out anyway ~~
2007-07-01 23:26:02 · answer #8 · answered by burning brightly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋