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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by pegasus on February 25, 2005, at 19:09:30
At work yesterday, the managers got together and presented our current status and plans to the CEO. During my presentation, the CEO challenged me to take my software in a totally different direction than I had planned, because of a huge new $$$ opportunity. I've been working toward the previous plan for the last several months. And I'm leaving for maternity leave in about 6 weeks.
I didn't panic (= miracle). When I got back to my desk, I scheduled a meeting with all of the relevant people who have info about this opportunity, to start the planning process rolling.
So, this afternoon, on my day off, I check my email around 5:00. Well, my boss, who has his own projects to worry about, has scheduled the same meeting that I already scheduled yesterday, at a time that I'm not available. He didn't know about my meeting, because I hadn't invited him, because it's not his job to put this new project together.
I declined his meeting, with a quick note explaining that I'd already scheduled my own, and apologized for not inviting him, saying that I hadn't realized that he would want to be involved in this process, because he usually isn't.
Then later, I got to thinking, and I sent him this email as well:
"Hi Boss,
I just wanted to follow up on this meeting. My toes are feeling stepped on. In my mind, we need to start working on this new software release by gathering information and creating a list of requirements. That's always clearly been my job, and I certainly intended to do it in this case. Maybe I've misunderstood how involved you want to be in the process for my product going forward. I've always handled that pretty independently before. So, I was very surprised that you would call a meeting at all for this, and especially one that wasn't even at a time that I could attend. And maybe you're surprised that I would call a meeting that didn't include you? I'm concerned that us stumbling over each other is going to make this project more challenging than it needs to be and make our department look bad. I guess my bottom line is that I think we need to communicate better in general, and especially about this project.
pegasus"
What do you think? Am I aiming to get myself fired here? I've worked at this company for many years, and have always done good work, and gotten good reviews. I'm worried that they're losing confidence in me because I'm going on leave and then dropping to half time. But why wouldn't he talk to me about it first?
pegasus
Posted by PhoenixGirl on February 25, 2005, at 19:34:15
In reply to sticky work situation w/boss - help!?, posted by pegasus on February 25, 2005, at 19:09:30
I'm only 27, but I already see that the workplace is not very understanding of women. I have empathy for you, because it's not fair for anyone to lose confidence in you because you're taking maternity leave and going to half-time.
I think that your boss' reaction to your email may depend on his personality. Some people appreciate open, honest communication, while others get their ego all mixed up in their work. My gut feeling is that it would be good to talk to him in person. There's more of a personal connection that way.
Posted by TamaraJ on February 25, 2005, at 20:45:39
In reply to sticky work situation w/boss - help!?, posted by pegasus on February 25, 2005, at 19:09:30
I thought your e-mail articulated your concerns concisely, professionally and diplomaticly. It clearly demonstrates your dedication to the project and its success, and your commitment to the goals of the company. I don't know, but your boss may well be taking a more active role in the project because you will be leaving on maternity leave in the next 6 weeks and he wants to make sure he completely understands what is going on and will be able to manage in your absence. Maybe being a little more hands-on right now is alleviating some stress and anxiety he may be having about your leaving. My boss becomes very hands-on even before I go on holidays. It unnerved me at first, but now I realize that he does it just to provide himself with some measure of comfort that he knows where things are at and that things are under control. That being said, I think your boss should be consideratate and be upfront about his actions.
Good luck.
Tamara
Posted by pegasus on February 26, 2005, at 0:37:52
In reply to sticky work situation w/boss - help!?, posted by pegasus on February 25, 2005, at 19:09:30
Thanks gals for letting me know what you think. It occurred to me just now that whenever my boss does this type of thing, it's when the CEO has paid special attention to one of my projects. Maybe he's just feeling insecure? Or maybe he doesn't trust me? Or maybe he's trying to hone in on some of my attention?
Also, I wanted to let you know that I'm going out of town this weekend, so I might not reply to everyone until Monday. But I appreciate any feedback.
pegasus
Posted by AuntieMel on February 26, 2005, at 11:02:35
In reply to Re: sticky work situation w/boss - help!?, posted by pegasus on February 26, 2005, at 0:37:52
It could be because the CEO is involved. It could also be because he knows you will be out and it is a total change of direction.
If he's been good to work for before he probably has good intentions. There's a good chance he thinks he's trying to be helpful to you.
But if you are really worried he might be pushing you aside because you are going to be out you could make it clear to him and your group that you will be available by phone for questions and meetings.
Posted by jay on February 26, 2005, at 15:10:50
In reply to sticky work situation w/boss - help!?, posted by pegasus on February 25, 2005, at 19:09:30
Just a note of caution....I'd really 'put up and lump it' when it comes to the boss, because last time I tried to stand up to my boss, I got fired, couldn't find work for 7 years, went through depression and anxiety as well as poverty hell. Sorry, but I really think in this day in age the only thing we can do is swallow it and move on, or get a McJOB. Just IMHO...
Jay
Posted by pegasus on February 28, 2005, at 15:31:59
In reply to sticky work situation w/boss - help!?, posted by pegasus on February 25, 2005, at 19:09:30
First, thanks to everyone who weighed in here. It helps to have different perspectives. I spoke briefly to my boss today, and he said that he was just thinking that we needed to be proactive on this, and was worried that some of the key people we needed to get info from were leaving town later this week. And also, he was thinking that he needed to be informed about this project, because I was leaving soon. I asked him if he wanted to be involved in the planning meetings for all of my projects, for the same reason. He hesitated (because the answer is that no he doesn't - this one just seemed more important because the CEO is involved), and then said yes that was probably a good idea. And he did say that he'd cancel his meeting tomorrow that I can't go to anyway. Then we ran out of time.
I still have a lot of questions for him such as:
1. What did he think he was going to do with whatever information he gathered tomorrow in my absence? Was he going to start making a plan in my absence? Was he going to hand the info over to me?
2. Why is he so worried about this one project, when he never offered to help with any of my other projects that also need to be done before I leave?
3. Why didn't he check with me first, before he became so uncharacteristically "proactive"? It's not like I was on the moon. I'm just a phone call away, even on my day off.I'm still quite annoyed, but it looks like it won't be a big deal. I think I'll mostly just lump it from here on out. Although I am definitely going to invite him to the planning meetings for all of my projects now, just to make a point.
Thanks again for listening to me.
pegasus
This is the end of the thread.
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