Work Issues

LegacyUser

Hi. I need some help with this.

I work with a guy who does *&^! all when my boss isn't around, when my boss reappears he is on the ball and playing the big man. My boss doesn't see that it is me who is breaking their neck to keep things on the up. I regularly pull 10-14 hour days just to get things done and when I try to bring the fact that i am uncomfortable with the 'team' my boss won't listen so I am back to slogging my guts out so I don't look bad.

I am a manager of a particular department and I have noticed in the last while that a lot of the time I am frozen out when decisions directly related to my field are being made. I find more and more that I am having to keep my ear out and listen for mention of my area before I am involved.

Before somebody says it, no I am not incompetent but I am a woman in a office full of males. What can I possibly do in this situation? I am feeling very low as I am good at my job.

Can someone please give me some advice. Any other women found themselves in this situation?

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Is it a job you feel passionately about or could you quit... or even just leave after 8 hours and not do everyone else's work. There's also the EU 48 directive you could throw at them...

Personally, unless it wsa a job to die for, I wouldn't srick around.

LegacyUser

im very passionate about it. whats the eu 48?

tk123

If you really like it then either take a few weeks holidays or even sick days and stop doing extra hours- let them fend for themselves and they will see how valuable you are! I was in a similar situation myself - there was 3 of us in the team but I felt like I was carrying the others. I decided one day that i'd had enough and just stopped doing it - i was doing my work and nobody else's - because i wasn't getting any thanks for doing it. A year on they're both gone, i got a raise and I have 2 great new workers who work under me and I can leave on time and take time off without having calls and txts asking for help!

pyramuid man

There is a problem with your solution TK. Although this sounds good, the main factor to consider is that this person is in a management position and managers are generally held responsible for their areas performance. So if this person only does what is required of them then they face a drop in performance and the person/persons will not be held accountable and if you excuse my french, the **** will hit the fan and splatter all over the manager. If your manager is ignoring your complaints, then go above him. Alot of companies have a complaints department for internal complaints and these are also often anonymous. This is probably the best way to go. The person you are reporting to is more than likely not the head manager in the company. If he is then no matter how passionate you are about the place, it may not be worth working there. Thats my two cents.

LegacyUser

This is the problem, the person I am reporting to is the managing director. He knows that they can't cope without me because I was sick for two days last month. I came back and it was like the office exploded! They need me, I know they need me but why are they treating me like this. Its wrecking my head.

Maybe I should just accept its a big boys club I am in.

Little-Devil

IT seems like you’re in a bit of a awkward situation. You’re a female manager who is in cahrge of a group of males probably with big egos and who walks all over you. I may be wrong but you don't seem too happy and probably a little depressed as well. MY advice would be to start looking for a new job in the same field and go for a couple of interviews.

Once your current management get wind of this they may or not try to keep you on board, but this would be the opportunity to let your voice be heard. This could be the opportunity to gain some self respect and tell them that you’re not happy and tell them why you’re not happy and thinking of leaving. They may not take anything you say on board, but as you said the place fell apart when you were sick for 2 days, so I am guessing that they will be a bit worried if you left. The end of the day if you have to leave the company so be it, you've gained some valuable experience and could probably get a bigger salary at another company.

Try keeping your head and if you’re working 14hrs some days, cut back and slow down. The end of the day you’re the manager and your there to manage, so you should be passing on any extra work to your male co-workers who you manage and are responsible for. You might all work for the same company, but they work and respond to you at the end of the day.

bandraoi

They're treating you like this because you let them.
Demand a pay rise and throw your weight around a bit.
If you work in a male dominated industry you need to play by the boy rules sometimes to get noticed.

BeardyGit

At the risk of getting a bit of a written kicking here, I'd suggest this has nothing to do with your sex and more to do with your ability as a manager. Your success in this role requires you be a capable and confident communicator, not a complete bitch trying to act like one of the boys. If you feel your hard work is not recognised or someone else is taking credit or taking you for granted, it's up to you to draw attention to your achievements and commitment.

If you're working long hours there's an easy way to accomplish this, without having to back-stab the lazy so and so who's not pulling his weight, at least not too openly. Make a point of sending the MD an email regarding an element of your work first thing in the morning. Do the same thing when you're wrapping up in the evening. Even if it's just an "FYI" or asking for his comments on something. He'll see the time the emails are sent and if he doesn't you can at least refer to them when it comes to review time.

If your colleague is messing around and trying to take credit for your work or allowing your boss asume he's playing a big part in your accomplishments, send an email to him every so often detailing the current status or progress of one aspect of your work/targets etc.

This will either work in your favour, requiring little confrontation or worry on your part. I'm sure you reaslise this will take a little time to have the desired effect. The other possible outcome is that your boss will fail to see that you are the one carrying your colleague and having given it a little time for him to read between the lines you can approach him directly and refer to your long working hours, positive communication keeping him up to date and a summary of your targets and accomplishments. Leave it with him for a short time and if things don't change, it's time to realise you're working in the wrong environment.

I'm not trying to brush aside the gender issue - They certainly exist. But you have to realise that before kicking into a gender debate, you must make efforts to deal with this simply as an employee and colleague. If no notice is taken, then decide whether or not it's because of ignorance and sexism or simple their unwillingness to change the way they work, for anyone.

I hope this helps.

Gil

bp

take a week or two holidays and see how they manage without you....two days isnt enough for them to see all the work you do. also before you leave (in front of your manager) delegate work/ or else write down for your manager who you have delegated what to and give a copy to your co-workers so they have no excuse....also go home when you shift is over....sc*ew the rest of them....if they arent doing the work let them get in trouble. i doubt there is only one company with a job like yours...move jobs......i did this week cause i didnt like the job and the way i was being treated/ the way things were going and now i'm leaving! (wahoo!!! - sorry still happy about that!)