A Terrible Boss
Dear boss,
Thanks for the opportunity to give you a little feedback on your performance as my manager. I always thought the employee evaluation process was a little one-sided. Especially the way you conduct them. But I digress. I hope you’re seated.
1. Nobody should be hired to do more than one job. Am I the research database developer or am I your personal assistant? Since you seem to want me to do both jobs, and seem to think the workload for each should be full time, something’s got to give. Apparently that something is neither you nor my workload(s).
2. OK, I get it! The research update is a Very Big Deal. And even though I can’t do it without current input from all the research managers, somehow the production pressure is all on me, not them. Fine. That I can live with. But boss? When I’ve finally begged, pleaded, and cajoled the information out of all of them, and submitted the report to you for your approval…please don’t sit on it for six weeks and then drop it off with a shrug and a regretful smile, reminding me that I have to do it all again, because it’s no longer current.
3. Now, I couldn’t agree more that when Henry had his kidney transplant, and Lois had her knee replacement, they needed our support and accommodation. I arranged a lot of that support and accommodation, didn’t I? So why is it that when I’m recovering from my repetitive strain injury, all I seem to hear from you is how troublesome it is dealing with my paperwork, and how expensive my adaptive equipment is, and when will my physical therapy finally be over, and how disruptive to the office it is for me to use dictation software to avoid reinjuring myself? Well, not disruptive to the office. Disruptive to your protégé’s protégé. The one who is on the phone all day. Having personal conversations. Loud ones. I seem to be breaking her concentration.
4. As icing on the cake, there was the time I was out with a cold nasty enough for me to fear a return of bronchitis. Remember, I was doing you the gratuitous courtesy of calling in every day, only to be greeted daily with an impatient “When will you be back?” The capper, though, was when you said, “I’ve scheduled an appointment for you on Friday.” “Uh, Janice, I’m still very sick…I’m not sure I’ll be in by Friday.” “Well, it’s a very important meeting. It’s on your schedule.” So I dragged myself from my bed of pain to get to the office on Friday. The very important appointment, of course, was a no show.
5. Well, I think that covers the highlights – or is it lowlights? – of the past year. I look forward to continuing to serve you in the challenging environment you never seem to tire of filling with further challenges. At least you’re consistent. I’ll give you points for that.
Sincerely yours,
me
