Voice Objections To Boss
Q: After nine years, I resigned from my director’s position at a small company. I was asked to take on a second full-time position in addition to the job I already had. My boss said I was the strongest producer and added the greatest value, but I quit when the excessive hours and my boss’ overbearing micromanagement style became counterproductive. What is the best reason to give to explain my departure?
A: Job searches can take a great amount of time and energy. Simply explain that you would not have had time to look for another job while working two full-time positions, and that although you have strong work ethics, you also want a balanced life. If a company objects to hearing that, you probably wouldn’t want to work there.
It sounds like you accepted the additional responsibility without any type of protest. When a boss makes demands that you know are unreasonable (such as performing two full-time jobs simultaneously), it’s best to analyze the situation and voice your objections before accepting the work.
Refusing job offer means no job and no severance
Q: I have been employed by a major company for the past 14 years. My division is now being sold to a holding company and all the employees are being offered jobs with the new company. If any of us declines a new position, the company will terminate our employment with no severance benefits. I think I am going to be assigned responsibility for an additional department - one that I know to have had numerous problems. Do I have to accept whatever job is offered? I am financially able to retire, but it would be sweeter to leave with severance benefits.
A: If you know you do not want the position that may be offered, start negotiating now before the company makes you a definite offer. Knowing you can retire if you want to should give you a stronger position in those negotiations. If the company only offers you the job you don’t want, you will have to decide if leaving the company without severance is more valuable than staying to work in a stressful situation.
Worker wants dysfunctional boss to change
Q: The doctor I work for falls into the dysfunctional category of narcissistic personality. He is always late for patients and feels that he is more important than anyone. He criticizes us (his staff) about things that are not true, but will not take criticism from us. He tries to pit us against one another, but fortunately, we all get along and stick together. Also, his office is a pigsty. I have never worked for anyone like this, but I’m not ready to quit. Can I do anything to convince this doctor to change his ways? How do I make this situation more tolerable?
A: Few adults can change or break bad habits, even when they want to. So if you’re not ready to quit, don’t jeopardize your job by trying to change this man’s personality. If he isn’t open to any type of criticism, he won’t be open to anything you have to say about him.
It’s good that you and your coworkers can enjoy camaraderie and that his divisive attempts fail. Your best bet is to do your job, accept that the man has emotional problems and ignore him.