Office Politics and a Horrible Boss

[RedHot25]

Ok, I have moved to Vancouver (arrived mid Feb of this year) to be with my girlfriend until she is done her Masters (say april or so of next year, 2005).

The idea is that after she is done, I will go back to school to do my Masters (Sept 2005). So I only have approximately 6 or so months of this potentially left...but....

I have a job that I started in July. Its roughly in my field (...not 100% though), but pays like crap ($14.83/hr). I am not making any profit, savings, etc...as I am required to have a vehicle (I don'tr own one, so I have a 1-year lease until Sept 2005).

My question is this. My job is horrible - my supervisor/slash boss knows absolutely NOTHING, and is more of a horrible pain in the ass with everything. I will never hear from her...and then once in a blue moon she will drop in and ask something, or tell me something that is based on one sentence she got from me eons ago. She has no clue of anything -- and to prove my point, I had 2-3 staff (unsolicited) come over to my office and tell me that (that no offence, but basically when it comes to work, she is useless!).

I have another guy, that is usually around, that is higher up (a director or something), but that isn't my supervisor but acts like it in some things (I can go to him to ask a question, he collects my timesheet, etc), but he is not really responsible for me or for my program.

My questions are thus: what should I do?

Do I just suck it up for the 6 months? Do I get a new job out of my field (assuming it pays more - Superstore had positions open for 15 - 20 bucks/hour)? I am looking for a different job in my field, but it is SUPER tight here in BC and not much options....or....?

How do I play the office politics game? (I am the only staff in my program...the program I inherited is horribly disorganized....my boiss says that its in "transition" which is being super nice...etc etc...). Do I use the other higher up supervisor? Do I work hard for change, or just tow her line for the next 6 months or so, or...?

Please help...with anything...!

[Cowperson]

Originally posted by RedHot25@Oct 24 2004, 08:48 PM
Ok, I have moved to Vancouver (arrived mid Feb of this year) to be with my girlfriend until she is done her Masters (say april or so of next year, 2005).

The idea is that after she is done, I will go back to school to do my Masters (Sept 2005). So I only have approximately 6 or so months of this potentially left...but....

I have a job that I started in July. Its roughly in my field (...not 100% though), but pays like crap ($14.83/hr). I am not making any profit, savings, etc...as I am required to have a vehicle (I don'tr own one, so I have a 1-year lease until Sept 2005).

My question is this. My job is horrible - my supervisor/slash boss knows absolutely NOTHING, and is more of a horrible pain in the ass with everything. I will never hear from her...and then once in a blue moon she will drop in and ask something, or tell me something that is based on one sentence she got from me eons ago. She has no clue of anything -- and to prove my point, I had 2-3 staff (unsolicited) come over to my office and tell me that (that no offence, but basically when it comes to work, she is useless!).

I have another guy, that is usually around, that is higher up (a director or something), but that isn't my supervisor but acts like it in some things (I can go to him to ask a question, he collects my timesheet, etc), but he is not really responsible for me or for my program.

My questions are thus: what should I do?

Do I just suck it up for the 6 months? Do I get a new job out of my field (assuming it pays more - Superstore had positions open for 15 - 20 bucks/hour)? I am looking for a different job in my field, but it is SUPER tight here in BC and not much options....or....?

How do I play the office politics game? (I am the only staff in my program...the program I inherited is horribly disorganized....my boiss says that its in "transition" which is being super nice...etc etc...). Do I use the other higher up supervisor? Do I work hard for change, or just tow her line for the next 6 months or so, or...?

Please help...with anything...!

So . . . . you have a boss who rarely turns up and only then to ask an obscure question or to offer an equally paralyzing viewpoint.

That's certainly better than a control freak who's on your butt 24 hours a day.

I'm assuming from your post that you would like to make a difference and clean up the mess. Has your brainless supervisor been standing in the way of doing that? Is there any way to obviously make her look good as you go about doing her job and therefore satisfying yourself?

Cowperson

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Since you're not in it for the long haul and will be leaving in the near future, suck it up and put up with the moron. If it gets to bad, quit. But do not say anything that could come back to haunt you in the future. Leave with grace and make sure you can use these clowns as a solid reference in the future. Your last job is your best reference. Good luck.

[JiriHrdina]

In my experience, unless you are really really lucky, there is always at least one person in your work environment that makes your job less enjoyable. When its your boss its definately worse though. None the less, I echo the statements of Lanny. Suck it up and don't burn bridges. Keep your eye on the long-term goals you and your g/f have in mind - those are more important than an incompetent boss.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

what I've found to work well in the past is just treat everyone well. Try not to get caught up in office political games.

Now the enviroment I work part time in is ALOT different from the one you work in, and well I get along really well with everyone I work with (mind you there is still some tensions amungst other employees but nothing horribly bad).

If you can get along with your co-workers, and have fun (or try to) then stick it out.

Some questions to ask:

Do you plan to be in BC long-term?
Would leaving this feild hurt your long-term career goals?
Can you make your boss feel important and smart even when he/she is not?
Would you enjoy another job (outside your feild) better?
Is the job causing un-needed/un-wanted AVOIDABLE stress?

I'm assuming that even with a tight labour market in your position you're still looking in the feild.

Lot of variables, not knowing you, your work, nor your co-workers/employers I can't give a proper suggestion.

I don't think anyone can. Sorry

[RedHot25]

Thanks guys, I truly do appreciate it. I know it is difficult to offer advice when you don't know the situation completely, but is nice to get some feedback and allow for a little venting.

A couple of points...

1) Yes, my boss "leaves me alone" and is not the proverbial control freak. However, I can only do tiny bits...until well she puts up roadblocks. This program needs a MAJOR overhaul (honestly, I think it would be best to "shut it down" for a bit, reorganize it, and then have it back up and running but that's the ideal, not going to happen!).

It is the first time that I have had a boss that just let's me ramble on about my ideas, etc, says "hmm...uh huh...thats a good idea...let me think about it...etc" and then proceeds to do nothing! This I find frustrating.

I have taken a "just do it" approach, but the changes that I think are needed - are the ones that are beyond my scope (i.e. major program changes, direction of the program, etc).

I guess its just my first experience with a boss like that.

2) Its compounded by the fact that the job i left I LOVED! Absolutely loved. It was a GREAT job...that was fun and exciting. I had 2 co-workers who were my age, worked with youth. Sometimes my job was more exciting than my social life (well not quite, but you get the idea). So maybe I am unfairly comparing it to it.

3) Yup Cow, I am the type of person that not only wants to do a good job with exactly what my job entails, but ALSO ways to greater enhance and increase the effectiveness of things overall (my program, the agency, etc).

4) My ethics/morals get conflicted...and I am HORRIBLE at office politics. Horrible! These 2 things in mind, I have an extremely (!!) hard time playing the game of "well ms. boss, you are horrible at what you do.....but I'm going to do the work that will make you look good and you will get credit for work that you don't do!". Thats just life I guess, but does it mean that I can't strive for that type of change as well?

5) I feel that I have not had a proper orientation (I know my office, bathroom and mail room) all the way upto being abandoned if you will. Within the 3-4 months I have been here, I have had the no orientation, a practicum student put onto me (with ZERO support from anyone else), a new volunteer starting up with my program (again, with ZERO support), another practicum student to start up again in half a month, etc etc...and a major re-accreditation of the agency and program coming up.

It just seems that I am getting too much stress almost right off the bat. Now I can see why (for example) in the past 6 months or so, they have had 3 or so people in this position!


I know that I should just suck it up....but its just hard. Especially when (they don't know, but) I know that I will be gone almost as soon as I start (from now, its give or take 6 months).

Ok sooooo sorry for such a LONG rant....but I am just really, really frustrated! I have never been this frustrated before, and its making me almost not ccare to an extent. This from a person who is a bit of a work a holic, strives towards working the best that he can, etc etc...

Ugh!

Ok sorry for that...

[Incinerator]

You're a social worker right? Well I can see how crappy agencies are a pain in the rear end to put up with, but like you said you only got about a year more to go, although that is an awful long time if you're stuck in a crappy job...have you considered looking for gov't work? I have no idea how things work in B.C. job-market wise etc. but yeah if you keep an eye on the Job Bank you might find something close to what you want in the near future...whatever will keep you going till September...hope that helps

[KevanGuy]

Life's too short. Quit and get another job if it's only for 6 months.