Oh! I know this one! 'Slaying entails certain sacrifices, blah blah blahbity blah, I'm so stuffy, gimme a scone.'

Buffy ,'Help'


Natter 68: Bork Bork Bork  

Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.


Sophia Brooks - Mar 24, 2011 1:45:04 pm PDT #130 of 30001
Cats to become a rabbit should gather immediately now here

Hot L Baltimore

Weird- The student theatre group is opening that here tonight.


Matt the Bruins fan - Mar 24, 2011 1:49:21 pm PDT #131 of 30001
"I remember when they eventually introduced that drug kingpin who murdered people and smuggled drugs inside snakes and I was like 'Finally. A normal person.'” —RahvinDragand

Back from the dentist after 2 hours of root canal-y fun, with a temporary crown. He cracked up when I told him I hoped ibuprofen would do the trick for any lingering soreness rather than his prescription pain meds.

I guess he doesn't run into many people who don't want drugs, but in comparison to oxycodone the Advil kicks in quicker, doesn't wear off as fast, and doesn't leave me feeling like my head's been replaced by a balloon. All these are pluses.


Scrappy - Mar 24, 2011 1:50:46 pm PDT #132 of 30001
Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

Juliebird, I would stress only items which hurt the comapany--such as gossiping about board members, bad judgment on grants, lack of morale hurting productivity. You don't want the issue to be about her personality or your feelings but about her performance. Not to be The Man, but it doesn't really matter if she is nice or supportive to her staff or not, if you guys can work together and the job gets done. Work SHOULD be a pleasant place in an ideal world, but it isn't required to be. If, however, her management impedes the job getting done, THEN they are going to want to listen.


Zenkitty - Mar 24, 2011 1:51:10 pm PDT #133 of 30001
Every now and then, I think I might actually be a little odd.

Julie, my department has been in similar situations with managers before, including my own current one. As much as you can, document, and get corroboration, and above all keep your cool. Unfortunately my experience is that nothing much will happen until something legally actionable occurs, and enough people are willing to talk about it to a lawyer. Unless your higher-ups are looking for a reason to can her, and in that case you want to be extra-careful to seem level-headed and an excellent employee.

A woman once quit our department after less than a month, by going to lunch and leaving a Post-It on her monitor that read, "I have never been treated so badly anywhere before" and she never came back. She's a legend.


Zenkitty - Mar 24, 2011 1:51:45 pm PDT #134 of 30001
Every now and then, I think I might actually be a little odd.

Or, what Scrappy said.


Jesse - Mar 24, 2011 1:51:56 pm PDT #135 of 30001
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.

Juliebird, she sounds awful. But you need to have a list of hard examples, documented. Get as many as you can. And see if there's anyone else on the staff who will go in with you, because otherwise it looks like "a personality conflict" rather than actual misbehavior on her part.

Yeah, this. And if there are already concerns, you should be able to communicate your displeasure without really saying anything. Can you talk up the quit person, or at least the need for that role? You really want to say as many positive things as possible -- not positive toward the horrible person, but positive in general.

If the higher-ups think the boss is doing a good job, you really don't want to come off as difficult, or a whiner.


Consuela - Mar 24, 2011 1:52:39 pm PDT #136 of 30001
We are Buffistas. This isn't our first apocalypse. -- Pix

If, however, her management impedes the job getting done, THEN they are going to want to listen.

What Scrappy Said.

A woman once quit our department after less than a month, by going to lunch and leaving a Post-It on her monitor that read, "I have never been treated so badly anywhere before" and she never came back. She's a legend.

That's kind of awesome.


beekaytee - Mar 24, 2011 1:53:06 pm PDT #137 of 30001
Compassionately intolerant

Consuela is totally right here, Juliebird.

What does not effect the bottom line, limit productivity or otherwise damage the organization's efforts, is generally of no interest...even though it sounds like you are being asked to squeal.

Being a difficult/unlikable/ineffective boss is unlikely to garner much interest among the brass.

It sucks, but it's true.

Taking absolutely every bit of personal hurt/disgust out of your comments is crucial to your concerns being taken seriously.

I know that is hard to do when you know you are right about how wrong someone else is. This woman being a jerk may actually be what the organization wants. I hate to say it, but I've seen it many, many times.


Juliebird - Mar 24, 2011 1:55:25 pm PDT #138 of 30001
I am the fly who dreams of the spider

God, I'm so glad I asked. I had a feeling that my relief at having an outlet for my grievances was too good to last.


beekaytee - Mar 24, 2011 1:57:36 pm PDT #139 of 30001
Compassionately intolerant

It probably isn't a trap, but you can never be sure in situations like this.

Vent your spleen elsewhere and then answer whatever questions they have honestly, but dispassionately where ever possible.