topic Re: Work Woes in Community Chat

Work Woes

Sweetbay magnolia — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 01:57:34 GMT

I've worked at my current company for 14 years - we now have a "new guy" who seems to want to shake up the staus quo, even though he admits this is just an interim gig, while he sorts out options (he ran his own business until recently, when economic changes made that less than feasible). He told me he was in the throes of a "mid-life crisis".

The problem is, he doesn't understand our business, so mostly we (the "regulars") find his suggestions to be un-helpful, but he keeps trying to impose his will, which makes the day-to-day at times difficult. I ask myself, why? If you are not going to make this your livelihood, why can't you just go along with the group? That's how we roll! (Another sign that he just doesn't "get it".) There is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow here; it's just work!

I'm trying to damp down my animosity but it gets to me. Thoughts?

Re: Work Woes

Goldengate8361 — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 02:06:28 GMT

Some people are just crazy; some are just plain annoying....and some are both! I suggest taking the high road whenever possible. Stay professional and cordial no matter what. He probably will not last there; he will implode at some point. Time is on your side. Hang in there.

Re: Work Woes

Shanus — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 02:09:28 GMT

@Sweetbay magnolia wrote:
I've worked at my current company for 14 years - we now have a "new guy" who seems to want to shake up the staus quo, even though he admits this is just an interim gig, while he sorts out options (he ran his own business until recently, when economic changes made that less than feasible). He told me he was in the throes of a "mid-life crisis".

The problem is, he doesn't understand our business, so mostly we (the "regulars") find his suggestions to be un-helpful, but he keeps trying to impose his will, which makes the day-to-day at times difficult. I ask myself, why? If you are not going to make this your livelihood, why can't you just go along with the group? That's how we roll! (Another sign that he just doesn't "get it".) There is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow here; it's just work!

I'm trying to damp down my animosity but it gets to me. Thoughts?

@Sweetbay magnolia Any thoughts from the others at the water cooler? Is this “new guy” your superior or an equal? Think my reply would be different depending on his status.

Re: Work Woes

drizzellla — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 02:09:51 GMT

You nailed it with "he ran his own business until recently". He is used to being his own boss and running the show all by himself.

It will probably take awhile for him to adjust to the fact this isn't his show anymore. If he ever gets used to that fact. And the regulars are the ones who have to deal with his transition. I suspect he will need to adjust and pick up on the fact that your company has it's own way of doing things.

I would contiue doing my job as I always have and let him suggest away but ignore them. He isn't your boss.

Re: Work Woes

Sweetbay magnolia — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 02:11:22 GMT

I would call him an "equal" but with no experience nor, clearly, seniority, @Shanus.

Re: Work Woes

Sweetbay magnolia — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 02:14:38 GMT

Bang, @drizzellla! You just nailed it. That's what I thought I would do. The "bosses" have lots more going on than this, and I think they just hope we will work it out. Petty complaints to them about this will fall flat.

Re: Work Woes

grandma r — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 02:16:32 GMT

It's difficult when someone new comes in and wants to change everything. Is he in management? If so, that can be tricky. If not, just continue to do your job, be professional, and don't engage in gossip. You never know the whole story. Sounds like he is used to being in charge, so just being one of the team may be foreign to him.

Re: Work Woes

Shanus — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 02:18:46 GMT

@Sweetbay magnolia wrote:
I would call him an "equal" but with no experience nor, clearly, seniority, @Shanus.

@Sweetbay magnolia. Hmmmm. I think you’re probably not the only one annoyed. Try not to be the ring leader in any confrontations. I’d do your work & have as little to do w/ him as possible. Time will tell if his mid-life crisis takes him to another job. (😁)

Re: Work Woes

Sweetbay magnolia — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 02:24:28 GMT

Well, @Shanus, the confrontation thing is already out the window!

An you are right, I am not the only one annoyed. He doesn't seem to see that I do have some influence, even though it appears he views us as a bunch of rubes.

Re: Work Woes

Sweetbay magnolia — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 02:28:02 GMT

Yes, @grandma r, he does need to learn to be a team player, and no, he is not in "management", thought it appears he thinks he should be. This is a family-run (though fairly large) company and truly, the owners and the long-timers are what make it run. Not that new ideas are not welcome, but with discretion and credibility.

Re: Work Woes

grandma r — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 02:33:08 GMT

@Sweetbay magnolia .Good luck. At his age it may be harder to become a team player after being his own boss. Hopefully he will adapt sooner than later. Maybe he is trying to impress everyone because he feels a bit insecure.

Re: Work Woes

Shanus — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 02:38:24 GMT

@Sweetbay magnolia. I know this situation stinks and makes work harder.

It’s true you have seniority on your side, but sometimes those that are “s*it disturbers” get in more trouble than they anticipated. As difficult as it may be, bite your tongue and the bosses will see he’s not a team player. He’ll be out before you know it.

Re: Work Woes

Sweetbay magnolia — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 02:38:45 GMT

Good point. And he's a man who does not like to be upstaged by women who know better. Condescension does not play well with me.

Love your insight! Thank you.

Re: Work Woes

Sweetbay magnolia — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 02:42:58 GMT

@Shanus, you could very well be right.

We work very hard in all sorts of weather and the last thing we need is this schmo trying to prove something. Sometimes the days just happen and we go with it. I can't have someone up my back judging my actions when I'm just trying to get it done.

Your beagle cuff, BTW, is lovely.

Re: Work Woes

Shanus — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 02:45:11 GMT

@Sweetbay magnolia wrote:
@Shanus, you could very well be right.

We work very hard in all sorts of weather and the last thing we need is this schmo trying to prove something. Sometimes the days just happen and we go with it. I can't have someone up my back judging my actions when I'm just trying to get it done.

Your beagle cuff, BTW, is lovely.

Chin up @Sweetbay magnolia. Thanks for the compliment on the cuff. 😘

Re: Work Woes

Sweetbay magnolia — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 02:47:07 GMT

Trust me - that chin will not take a knock unless I fall, and I'm very careful.

Re: Work Woes

Sweetbay magnolia — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 02:51:06 GMT

Thanks, @Goldengate8361. Our business is unique, and so are the people who work there - this guy doesn't understand it is not a cut-and-dried affair.

That's one of the reasons I enjoy working there. Efficiency is not necessarily the name of the game.

Re: Work Woes

Mominohio — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 02:52:17 GMT

@Sweetbay magnolia wrote:
I've worked at my current company for 14 years - we now have a "new guy" who seems to want to shake up the staus quo, even though he admits this is just an interim gig, while he sorts out options (he ran his own business until recently, when economic changes made that less than feasible). He told me he was in the throes of a "mid-life crisis".

The problem is, he doesn't understand our business, so mostly we (the "regulars") find his suggestions to be un-helpful, but he keeps trying to impose his will, which makes the day-to-day at times difficult. I ask myself, why? If you are not going to make this your livelihood, why can't you just go along with the group? That's how we roll! (Another sign that he just doesn't "get it".) There is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow here; it's just work!

I'm trying to damp down my animosity but it gets to me. Thoughts?

I feel your pain.

And my bigger question when this sort of thing has happened to me, is why is my company investing in someone who is obviously not committed to 'the cause'?

It says something about upper management and company philosophy that I question and wonder if that is where I want to be.

Re: Work Woes

AuntG — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 03:12:11 GMT

You may need to wait until he explores his options and leaves. Hope he is gone very soon.

Re: Work Woes

Sweetbay magnolia — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 03:12:55 GMT

Yeah, you're right, MIO. It's a complicated tale but for the most part it works, for me. I won't abide this, though.

Lord knows I am not perfect but I try to do my job well.

I think this guy blindsided a manager (read: saw weakness) and the manager got caught up in a tangled web. Then, naturally, the s*^t started raining down from on high when other managers started to see a chance to get back for past perceived slights.

I can back down but sometimes I let it be known.