How can I give constructive feedback to my manager on her excessive working hour habit without offending her?

Question

My manager works literally 24/7. She constantly sends work emails late at night and on weekends, and asks for help frequently. It'd be ok if it was occasional as sometimes you have due dates and work needs to get done but this is getting out of control. I received a 360 feedback invite from her and would like to give her a constructive feedback. I would appreciate any suggestions regarding appropriate way of telling her. Thanks.

Answer 1

When you give a dog a tablet, you stick it in some meat, so sugar coat your comments.

I admire your work ethic, but I really worry about your long term health, if you keep up this level.

OR

I've never known a woman more in need of sex than you! ;-)

Answer 2

First of all 360 degree feed back reports are usually anonymous. That is, the are requested by the sender as part of the sender's annual review and then sent to the boss of the person being reviewed. The boss of the person being reviewed usually never tells who said the statements only the general gist of what was said.
If this is the case in your company fill out the report but use polite language.

Remember, you get paid to work 40 hours a week. After you leave for the day you are on your own time. Also your manager should not need to ask for help frequently. Occasionally to meet a major deadline is o.k. If it is to meet a major deadline then have her verbally ask for your help specifically for that purpose and approve the overtime.

Another way of subtly showing her that you need your free time is to not answer the late night/weekend emails she sends until the next morning at work.Then in one long email answer every question from the night/weekend before.

If she objects and attemps to write you up bring the matter before her manager.

Answer 3

If you are required to work her hours and also answer these emails on your time at home then here is a good way. If you are hourly tell her that you appreciate the time she puts into the company yet you would like to be compensated for the time that you are putting in at home to help her with the issues that she is emailing. If you are salary tell her that you appreciate her time that she puts into the company yet you do not have that same amount of time that she has since you do have other personal obligations out side of the office and dont have all the time that she posesses to get the issues resolved in the time that she is wanting. If that is not the case and she is a regular work-a-holic then sometimes there isnt much that you can do. Best that you can do is state how you do like the enthusiasm she has for the work she does with the long hours she puts in, then let her know that it may be good to lower her stress and take a break. Tell her that you are concerned for her long term health and that doing a long left behind hobby may help her in lowing stress and improving her long term health. Left her know that taking time out for herself is a good thing in the long run. Just try to let her know that you are concerned for her and that you care about her and sometimes that works. Sometimes work is all they see or that is their passion and they love what they do and its like nothing else in the world makes then happier and they are actually getting paid for basically in their minds "playing". You didnt state how much you are involved in this so I gave you all the answers that I could think of. Hope it helps.

Answer 4

First, does she also do this type of thing during "normal" work hours? Does she have other employees who work different shifts? Or, perhaps kids at home she has to take care of so that the only REAL time she has to handle things is at those hours?

Second, just because she sends the e-mails late at night, does that mean she wants you to work on them at that hour? As long as you aren't asked to work unpaid overtime, does it really matter when she sent the e-mail?

Third, if she expects you to work the same hours she does without being compensated for such work, then just tell her directly. She didn't get to be a manager by not having these types of things brought to her attention. Rather, she got to be a manager because she does have this type of work ethic. You will effectively be letting her know you don't aspire to be a manager because you don't want to work these hours.

Fourth, if you don't feel comfortable telling your manager these things in the form of a 360 degree feedback, set a 1:1 meeting with her to tell her. Or, if you don't feel you can talk to her directly about it, you could always go to her boss; but, in my opinion that should be the last resort - because no one likes anyone else going over their head.

So, in a nutshell, if it isn't impacting your work hours - do nothing. If it is & you don't feel fairly compensated for your time, then bring it to her attention in a direct, business-like manner.

Answer 5

Think of it this way: You can only change yourself not other people. So if she's effecting your life then you need to let her know how she's effecting your life, how you view your job at the company, and what your expectations are for your job.

If you don't want to work nights and weekends like her, then you shouldn't have to if you guys agreed on that in the beginning. If they give you problems about it, just have a meeting with them and explain your concern about keeping home and work seperate.

As far as leaving her feedback, I'd focus on the positives...she's a very hard worker etc. and maybe say that feeling of working a lot of overtime sort of falls onto her staff.

Answer 6

You don't because basically it is not your problem. Unless you see the work is getting bad. then you might say something about that. Basically I would just go up and tell her she should get some time off and take a break. Problem is some people put all their everything into their work and without it they do not feel right. They become obsessive about it. It is their life. usually these types never go out, always eat in to the point that most of their meals are delivered. It is very abusive to themselves. Problem is, if you interfere, that can lead to war. She might think you are trying to do something behind her back. Like take over her job...

Maybe when you have some free time you can ask her to helpr her out so maybe she could go home early and take a break. Just be gentle, caring but not intrusive.

Answer 7

you need to document in a memo to her (and keep a copy for yourself) that while you want to have the best interest of the company in mind, you also have personal obligations. with that said, tell her that because you are hourly (or salary) and that asking you to be available 24/7 is not reflective of the financial commitment the company wishes to invest in such a relationship. in other words, tell her you get paid by the hour (or if you salary no ,ore than 45 hours per week) and she is asking you to work for free. but your boss is a workaholic and it is probably best to look for another job. i once worked for a workaholic and it was too much stress. as i sit at the office looking at the clock at 6:30 p.m. on a christmas eve, i said screw this, and went home. that is where your headed unless you stop it now.

Answer 8

Well, if she bugs you when you're at home can't you just screen your calls or say you have company? Are you getting paid to be bugged all the time? What would she do if you quit?

Can't you just tell her you're just not interested in working as often as she is?

It's not really that she works too much it's that she draws you into it. A lot of managers send email at all times of the night and weekend.

Answer 9

First instance, I would like to quote the famous Management theory "THE BOSS IS ALWAYS RIGHT'(Rule No.1) (Rule No.2) - IF THE BOSS IS WRONG REFER RULE NO.1." I could think that your Manager have great trust &understand- ing on your sincereity and efficiency and that may be her consideration to keep you in her hour of need. I am sure by passing of time she will understand your feelings may be with in a short time. Wait for this as a test case if you feel so.

Answer 10

Anya, You are amazing! This is a near perfect performance... My only criticism is the pitching. I am not sure if it is you, the recording, or simply the nature of the song, but at times (particularly when you "glide" up to higher notes) it sounds very slightly flat. But dont worry about it, I am sure no normal person would notice that, and it is most likely the recordings fault not yours. Secondly, you dont seem to be projecting as much as you could. Is this because you are singing with a microphone? You have a lovely voice, it is so lyric, and sweet sounding.... and your vibrato is coming along nicely. EDIT: If it is you, I am sure you will be able to correct it, especially if this is something you are already aware of. It is so unfair, why cant my teacher be Russian? Mine is Italian, which is great when I want to sing Italian, but I love Russian so much! The only Russian songs I have in my repertoire are all by Pauline Viardot. Have you sung any of them? they are wonderful!