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New York, 4:57 AM
Wed Dec 2
68 posts in the last 24 hours
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10/14/09
One of my bosses is great. He can correct people without being a jerk, he's friendly without being annoyingly chipper, and lets us know what's what. I like working for him, because you know where you stand, and you know that he'll be fair.
One of my bosses is not great. She constantly talks down to people, using diminutive terms like "Honey" and "Sweetie", which I find grossly inappropriate in the workplace. She calls "meetings" to tell us to work faster, taking us away from said work and sets goals that are unrealistic (I'm sorry, a 2600-piece truck WILL NOT GET DONE IN AN HOUR. Company goal is like, 2.5 hours, so don't you think that's a little... short?). She bitches and complains about everyone to everyone else (making it seem like a secret, so you'll give her dirt), then repeats anything anyone says to her. I can't stand her.
One of my bosses is annoyingly chipper. That's really my only complaint. He seems to know what's going on and can give fairly good direction, but jesus, man, it's 5:15 in the damn morning, do not sing while I am baling cardboard (I work overnights). Don't ask me to sing along. I really am not a bitch, I'm just not... chipper.
The last boss is not terrible, but certainly not good. He is really bossy and inconsiderate in a lot of the things he says. You don't need to baby us, but please don't snap when telling us to go to domestics because you only told a few team members and expected them to spread the news. And he constantly brings his child in (at about 6:30), so there's often some little 8-year-old brat running around the break room, annoying people. I am imagining it's a money issue, so I can't hold it against him, but it's frustrating to try to take your break and have some kid bothering you.
1/4 isn't too bad, I guess!
10/14/09
Mr. JB's boss's most redeeming quality is that he has kept Mr. JB in a job. In this job market, that's worth something. But in all other respects, he's wretched. Mr. JB might hope for advancement, but that would mean being partners with the guy, and no amount of money is worth that. We're just hoping the job market improves so he can find something else.
10/14/09
It's more than just the personal shit, though. My team has great chemistry, and we work wonderfully together when on our own. The second he comes in, though, it's like all the joy has been sucked out of our lives. No one likes him, not even employees in other departments. It's remarkable, really. I have never known someone who was so thoroughly unlikeable. So frankly, I am hoping he gets phased out. It will suck for him, but whatever, I could not care less at this point.
10/14/09
The truly terrible thing about him was that he would be rude and gossipy and just plain MEAN, then turn around and get all offended when you didn't want to have lunch with him and gossip about coworkers or when I politely pointed out that driving him to and from work when his car was in the shop was not, in fact, part of my job responsibilities.
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I'm certain that there are supervisors and managers who are incompetent, shady, dumb or of questionable character. But I also wouldn't be shocked if some impressions of supervisors were affected by not understanding their jobs, not liking having a boss at all, or possibly just plan old envy.
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Oh, and for the record, I am hands down the best dresser in my department (not hard -- I'm the only one who tries), and not only does it not help me get ahead, it draws unnecessary attention and provokes envy (we're talking just nice knee length skirts and patterned blouses from Filenes, accented with pretty costume jewelry, lest you think I'm tarting it up or flaunting a trust fund). I work in Backwardsland, where doing your job well, looking presentable, and having ambition or poise is considered threatening, and to be stifled at every turn.
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Yes, because we're comfortable in the knowledge that our bosses are lying and manipulative. At least we know what to expect! Throw someone all kind and honest at us and it's like Whoa, what's happening here?
10/14/09
Just kidding.
10/14/09
And then she cried in her office on her last day when no one came to her goodbye party. Yep, Karma's a bitch.
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The company I work for (and am desperately trying to leave) is so gossipy about the way all the ladies (95% of us) dress.
It's really frustrating because, damn, I don't care what lady X is wearing today. Nor do I appreciate hearing from Lady Y that Lady C thinks I dress "inappropriately" at times.
Anyway... if I were polled I'd be with the majority here. I know for a fact it affects my career.
10/14/09
I wouldn't be surprised if it is affecting my promotion prospects, but eff it. I am not going to spend more time on my appearance than men do - for me it is a waste of time that I'd rather spend sleeping in the morning, and doing other things at night.
10/14/09
But the women in my office punish me for looking nice. They make snide comments about how they wish they had the time or money to "dress up." Which is bullshit -- I work longer hours than most of them and as one of the youngest people in the office, am near the bottom of the pay scale. I look nice not due to money or time, but merely effort. I spend no more than 30 minutes getting ready, including showering, and keep my hair short in order to avoid spending time on it.
Anyway, I don't think there's anything wrong with your approach at all. But I've learned that looks-ism at work goes both ways -- sometimes keeping a nice pair of heels in your desk to wear around the office is considered "trying to hard" and people take you less seriously as a result.
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If I ever have a boss I don't like it is going to be a rude awakening.