A
female
age
,
anonymous
writes:A work based question for those of you with years of experience of the workplace. How important to you is respect for and trust of your line manager?I ask because I am in a job I don't want to quit (for a number of reasons) BUT I have always found it difficult to work for someone who I don't respect or trust - which I find myself doing at the moment. In the past I have been lucky enough to work with some fantastic bosses who have been really decent human beings. I can tolerate a lot of other things if I have a boss who I respect and trust. My line manager, who I have worked under for quite a few years and always trusted and respected, recently did something which made me lose all trust in and respect for him. (I don't want to go into detail but it was a biggie.) This manager was my "buffer" between me and the owner of the business who is a pompous self-obsessed devious two-faced specimen. (This is not just my opinion but is shared by most of the workforce. We all avoid direct contact with him as much as possible.) Previously I have worked extra hours (always without pay) to help. I have worked week-ends if we have had something which needed to get done urgently. I have gone above and beyond what could be reasonably expected of me to make sure the office was running smoothly. None of this was ever appreciated (or even acknowledged) by the owner who just takes it for granted that we will all work our fingers to the bone while he swans off on one of his many holidays or spends time in the office chatting to his daughters or playing computer games. I have always tolerated this because my line manager was - I thought - a decent guy who worked hard and appreciated his workforce. This has since turned out not to be true and I feel almost "bereaved". I feel like I am mourning the guy I believed him to be and find it hard to put myself out for the company. Last night, for instance, my manager was staying late because he had some urgent work to get out. In the past I would have stayed to help or at least made sure I had ordered food to be brought in later for him and the staff who were still working. Last night, however, it got to finishing time and I picked up my stuff and said "goodnight" and left. (Not frosty or anything, just not interested in staying.) I feel pretty sure comments will have been made after I left because everyone just expects me to drop everything and work until the job is finished, but I have lost motivation. For the first time in about 12 years, I am actually looking at job adverts with a view to finding a new job, although many other aspects of the job suit me and I really don't want to leave. Thoughts? Ideas for getting over this current apathy (because that is what I feel it to be, although I still work conscientiously during my allotted working hours)? Work just makes me feel FLAT at the moment.
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reader, anonymous, writes (18 November 2017): I meant to say:
"Changing employment in your more mature-years is really difficult due to age-discrimination. It's unspoken, difficult to prove, but wide-spread."
"Since this is a job-related matter; you still have to consider your bottom-line."
A
reader, anonymous, writes (18 November 2017): Trust is important, but there are different types of trust. There is a very personal trust, which is based on emotion and affection. Then there is impersonal-trust; which is based on the integrity and consistency of a person's character.
I am a manager of a large operation. Recent studies have found that bad management is the main reason for high employee-turnover. Management-styles vary, and many are more a reflection of a "personality" than a well-seasoned knowledgeable leader, who has the ability to motivate and inspire workers. Effective leadership-skills are a must!
Many holding the titles of management are not effective "leaders." They are people with large egos, motivated almost entirely by their paychecks; and a vast number of bosses got promoted based on politics, a company's weird attempt at bringing their business into the 21st century by way of youthful graduates, and the most common vehicle of all...nepotism! These people don't have a clue, but they have the position of power and authority. Their success and effectiveness is dependent largely on their next in command, and their best senior employees.
Please don't work for anyone without being paid. Especially when your dedication, expertise, and loyalty goes unappreciated by those who profit the most from your long-term and esteemed service.
You were hired, which means you work for a fair wage. If you work, you've earned your pay. The owner gets paid whether he's in the office, or out on the golf-course. He will never work a day without feeling he deserves every nickel that business earns. He reaps all the benefit when you work for free. How is that fair?
I have been reading several publications on effective-management; and I have gone to several seminar. I have to hone and improve my skills. One style doesn't work indefinitely.
Not only do my leadership skills have to stay fine-tuned; but I also have to be effective in delegating my authority, and maintaining the respect and cooperation of good employees like you. It's important to me.
Not from the perspective of gaining the "approval" or "acceptance from my workers." I want to ensure people enjoy their jobs, the people they must work with; and feel their shared connection to the company that we all represent. Not by shoving a bunch of phony mottoes and slogans down their throats. That insults their intelligence. Mine too!
I want to keep those who have proven professionalism, proficiency, good company-spirit, and I also want to be sure they are well-compensated and rewarded. I want the same coming from those above me in the higher pay-grades.
It's easy to get caught-up in the "bottom-line" and pie-charts. Ambition can also get the better of you. If you want to succeed and climb the ladder; it demands things from you. It's not always pretty, and often misunderstood by those who don't share those ambitions. If I feel better qualified than the next guy for a position; I'm not going to just sit back and let him or her snatch it from me. Nor will I compromise my values or character. I don't want anything that bad.
You're only as good as your workforce. You actually lose money with the loss of a good employee. Sometimes you may never find a replacement who holds a candle to someone who has grown with the company and knows the job inside and out.
We don't always tell you that; because we can't afford you getting smug or cocky.
My staff is like family, but they can turn on the professionalism in the blink of an eye. They make me look good. I'd stick my neck out for them any day. Though they often embarrass me by spoiling me in every way possible.
I would be quite concerned about losing an employee with your type of dedication. If the work atmosphere of the company leadership and hierarchy lose touch with the people who create their business; I like you would seek a new job.
Being a more mature worker, I would caution you. You don't always make lateral moves from one company to the next. You may end-up taking a big pay-cut!
You won't share exactly what the manager did that was so bad; so I can't reasonably concede that leaving your established position would be wise.
If what he did borders on illegal or unethical; you may have no choice, if it in anyway compromises your own work-ethic. If it is just something generally distasteful, or some minor morals violation; maybe you can overlook it just this once.
Changing employment in your more mature-years is really difficult[ due to age-discrimination. It's unspoken, difficult to prove, but wide-spread.
Follow your best judgement, and stand-up for your values. Just keep in-mind that you've got bills to pay. If retirement is a long way off; you might have to bite the bullet. Your personal-feelings about your boss's personality shouldn't determine whether you decide to keep your job.
Decisions like this should be made after weighing all the pros and cons; and considering what type of impact a job-change will have on you financially.
Since this a job-related matter, you still have to consider your bottom-line.
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A
male
reader, Been there Now over it  +, writes (17 November 2017):
If you have a bad owner and your manager did a "biggie" which made you lose all trust and respect for him, I don't see how you can regain your enthusiasm. You sound like a great employee and they've blown it for you! Bad on them.
These louts are not going to change, so neither your attitude. It is time to do more than just look at those job adverts. I've done a lot of hiring in my career and I would have loved to have someone come in and tell the story of commitment and selflessness you've written here. Hired!
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