General discussion

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #2293745

    How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

    Locked

    by d_bones ·

    My Boss constantly spends her days on the phone chating to her friends or reading the newspaper and only surfices to take the praise for my departments hard work. She is technically Incompetent and just repeats what she pumps from others. It’s not just me who moans about this, other departments do too. How can I rectify the situation without sounding like “sour grapes” or seeming to be after her job. I’d pull my hair out if I had any. Help

All Comments

  • Author
    Replies
    • #2736056

      My Advise Live with it –

      by jimhm ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      My advise is live with it – Because it already sounds like Sour Grapes – I am not slamming or flaming you.

      So you are stuck between a rock and a hard place, is she causing any problems within or outside of your department – No. Is it causing any delays in productivity – No. Is it only that she does nothing and is a tape recorder for all information others give her – Yes.

      She will meet her waterloo soon, you need to just lay low – indirectly let people (management) know who has completed the work… let her take the credit and glory – and people will assume she has the knowledge… then – Poof – it will happen.

      I my advise – stay low – keep quite – it would get ugly – look like a personality conflict and you would lose – or a pissing contest – and she will win.. best bet stay out of the shoot gallery..

      • #2730771

        Cover your back

        by frr ·

        In reply to My Advise Live with it –

        I have experienced similar problems over the years and concur with the two earlier replies. I would also suggest that you cover your back by ensuring that every decision affecting you made by the manager is recorded in writing or email, even if you have to send her an email confirming a decision she has made to you verbally. She will eventually come a cropper and try and blame you for her incompetence – but, becuse you have a record of all decisions she has made, (in your email or on an internal memorandum) you can prove otherwise!

        Other than that start scanning the job adverts.

        Good luck.

        • #2730767

          Yeah … cover your back

          by colinwee ·

          In reply to Cover your back

          I was in a situation like that with a boss who was totally inept, incompetent, lazy and stupid. I made sure to cover my a** well with documentation. But beyond that, to do my job well, I would create ‘steering’ documentation … really short briefs that would get her to see things my way. Funny how many things started to occur like how I wanted it to. She takes the credit? Who cares. Everyone knows the truth. You’ve got a job. You need to do it to the best of your abilities (even if it seems like you’re selling a piece of your soul).

          Boss’s like that unload their pent up tensions every now and then too. That’s where covering your back comes in real handy.

          Hang in there. Or quit. 🙂

          Colin

        • #2734928

          Lazy Manager

          by brianf ·

          In reply to Yeah … cover your back

          Well I concur with the majority of replies, I have exactly the same problem now, the issue is the manager may very well be lazy but that does not always equate to “DUMB”. Your manager could very well be the same as mine they know how to play the office politics game. Ok the answer is get better at the game than they are and as others have stated CYA – cover your ****. Keep a log of everything you do take copies of all your notes off site make a note with date time etc of any comments your manager may make. I assume your fellow worker bees know the score so keep them onside and ensure they know what you are doing. Ultimately the truth will come out be it by internal/external audit or other means and then sit back and watch the fireworks. Patience is a virtue that you must observe in situations like this any confrontation will backfire with you being the loser.
          good luck

        • #3368369

          Good manager

          by basicman ·

          In reply to Lazy Manager

          Dear manager, i think you do always right continue.

        • #3368329

          Lazy Manager

          by jean-luc picard ·

          In reply to Lazy Manager

          …or incompetent?
          I had a manager who was incompetent and not the best fit for our dept. but got the job because our director has a history of making poor personnel choices. To be brief, live with it or leave. Complaining will “B-list” you in the eyes of HR and management, especially if your colleagues do not back you up. People complain over lunch all the time but apathy rules when the opportunity to “make it official” presents itself. Just document everything…I would recommend a spreadsheet of your requests to said manager with the dates, repeat requests etc. so if asked you can readily present data, rather than committing this to memory. If you use some type of call-tracking software as in a helpdesk environment this will also be helpful.

          Sorry you have to deal with this…I know it is *not* easy.

        • #2730742

          A positive approach

          by neillgarris 03 ·

          In reply to Cover your back

          Most people will say hang in there, but rather take a positive approach. Make friends with her (and everyone else!) and chat frequently and briefly. Ask & give advice frequently, but as others say keep hardcopy decisions she makes. You will be seen as an asset to the department, she may change with time and be on your side. Perhpas it is her incompitance that is making her act in this way.

        • #2735165

          Positively pesky

          by fulltruthseeker ·

          In reply to A positive approach

          The reason for being incompetent is likely they can not handle details but found schmoozing works for them. For this person, less is more. The employee should share joy details but not work details with her schmoozing boss while she works at getting a pay raise.

        • #2735161

          Lazy doesn’t mean stupid

          by aln ·

          In reply to A positive approach

          I’m also going thru a similar situation, and I’d just add to the general consensus that it’s very important to take cautionary measures. Individuals of this kind might be not very competent technically, but they’re masters in emotional intelligence: they know how to manage situations so that they always emerge as champions – usually at someone else’s cost. In fact mine has a very illustrative motto: “It’s not difficult to make things work; the art is to cheat the customer into believing that they work when they don’t”. No comments.

        • #2735120

          where is the integrity

          by maninthemiddle ·

          In reply to Lazy doesn’t mean stupid

          I see another ENRON in his/her future…

        • #2735117

          Management Defined!

          by sao ·

          In reply to Lazy doesn’t mean stupid

          Whilst agreeing with everyone else – i.e. document EVERYTHING, I would also throw in the point that, as far as your Board is concerned, she is delivering EXACTLY what they employed her for. They did’nt employ her to actually get her hands dirty…simply to ensure that their targets and goals were met. If they don’t know that their staff are unhappy with her methods – nothing will change. Good luck!

        • #3366236

          Management may be the key word

          by tech-chick ·

          In reply to Management Defined!

          In our company, my manager is dealing with having to become an overseer instead of being the “do-er” he always has been. Our upper management has actually reprimanded him for being too “hands-on.” They take the stand that a manager manages people and gets productivity out of the staff. Perhaps that is the directive your manager has been given as well.

          Fortunately my manager is very technically astute and makes sure projects well done are acknowledged. He also keeps his superiors informed of individual accomplishment within our department ? I know this for a fact because on more than one occasion I have been sent a congratulatory note from our CEO for projects I have completed. I believe the fact that my manager has confidence in his knowledge and understanding of technology, he feels comfortable acknowledging his subordinate’s contributions. This security makes him willing to share credit.

          Unfortunately your manager doesn?t seem have the background that my manager has, and, either consciously or unconsciously, she may sense that she does not receive the level of respect a technically skilled manager would. Perhaps using by using diplomacy and helping your manager really understand more, she will feel less threatened and become an ally. Also, I agree that a good paper trail is always a good policy when dealing with anyone. If you are always doing what you are supposed to and have proof of what you are doing (as well as why you are doing what you are), you cannot go wrong.

          Good luck to you.

        • #3368322

          Exactly!

          by maxpower1111 ·

          In reply to Lazy doesn’t mean stupid

          Exactly. That goes right back to documentation.
          I have a similar issue with my boss. He is a technical salesman and VP of engineering. I am the lead Sys Engineer. I have learned to have him email me orders and work requests, instead of verbally. In the past he would make statements to our customers without consulting with me. I would then inadvertently make a contrary statement to the customer, who would come back and say “well your boss said……”
          As I have learned to document; he has learned to consult with me on design or integration issues.

        • #2735102

          Why not!

          by joemales ·

          In reply to A positive approach

          I agree with the previous response on being friendly and working with this person in a positive way.
          This person is probobly keeping her guard up knowing that she is in a position way over her head. If you show a little understanding and work with her, maybe she will work harder. If not, use the latest technologies out there. You have spycams that can monitor her every move. Then you can go to her bosses computer and accidently turn camera’s on. Isn’t TCPIP great!

        • #3368363

          Evaluate

          by computer luser ·

          In reply to Why not!

          Evaluate her threat to you and her real impact. Is it possible you can continue doing your job as you have been in the past? In other words, if you begin to invest resources in her downfall (setting up “spy” cams will earn you an orange jumpsuit btw) you will be pulling resources (your time and energy) necessary to perfom your own job at a high level. Then the table of incompetence will turn on you. Always document important decisions regardless of who makes them. Develop this as a habit and don’t approach the task as ammunition to “cover your back” but instead as documentation to your verbal answer of “WE did that because…” when someone questions a decision. The minute you decide to make a move against her you have taken a step in the wrong direction. You only have control over your role and reaction to the situation.

        • #2735001

          Cover your back and your sanity

          by stemplarv ·

          In reply to A positive approach

          I agree with all of the input about documenting everything you can but in addition, utilize your companies resources. For instance if your company has an Employee Assistance Program put it use. Typically an EAP is an outside company which helps employees by offering counseling and other services to facilitate an employee’s work and personal issues. I especially agree with getting away for lunch… otherwise you’re just gonna take things too personally and have a blow up. The last thing you need to do is project to anyone that you are a disgruntled employee. That would not be in your best interest at all. Also eliminate any venting about your boss’ habits to your co-workers some of them may use those comments and ways to look better than you.

        • #2735215

          I agree

          by mcpack ·

          In reply to Cover your back

          There is little you can do if you have a bad manager, except find another job. If you plan to stick it out, cover your back. Any effort to expose this person will only back fire.

        • #2735098

          Relationship

          by douglasault ·

          In reply to I agree

          I think a lot depends on the relationship between this manager and his/her boss. If it’s a solid relationship then it’s cover yourself or look for another job.

        • #2734965

          CYA of course BUT…

          by d_demoura ·

          In reply to Relationship

          Your hierarchical business structure defines your course of action. By all means, you MUST always cover your back. This insures you have documented all procedures / decisions and are capable of supporting your claims if ever they need be. Most likely, your “boss” relies entirely on building relationships with his/her management superiors and uses that bond to his/her advantage. This is also a valid method of management that I find mostly used by older managers who have lost some of their technical edge. It’s OK, they are still managing. This will not do if this person is acting as a project manager. A project manager requires technical skill to guide project resources. If your manager’s decisions are affecting projects, then it is your duty to keep an account of all actions and decisions. If your manager is just there to provide structural business support, and provide direction to someone else’s vision (a puppet), then there little you can do … they are probably doing their job correctly as long as you are doing yours correctly. However, I find the upper management is usually less savvy to begin with, that’s why we have jobs.
          Good luck with your boss, I suggest you leave it alone unless there’s a major SNAFU.

        • #2735104

          That type of person will hang themself soon enough…

          by drew.mcbee-tradesmeninternational ·

          In reply to Cover your back

          I’ve always found that those types of people will eventually hang themselves. Especially if you say others are noticing the same thing. I agree with most of the other posts – quietly make sure the people who matter know who does the work if you can. Make subtle remarks about it if you need to, but don’t make a big stink – or you WILL come out the bad guy.

      • #2730745

        Live with it

        by elwoos ·

        In reply to My Advise Live with it –

        I agree that you need to live with it. One day someone important will ask a question she cannot answer when she should be able to. That will be the start of her downfall.

      • #2735124

        They deserve support

        by maninthemiddle ·

        In reply to My Advise Live with it –

        A lazy manager will eventually cause problems. When they fail to pump enough they will look incompetant to their supperiors. This image is reflected on all in the group. It is a dangerous maneuver but, I make the manager work. I follow chain of command and require appropriate guidance from my manager. It does two things. It gives opportunity for improvement. If it happens problem solved… It also gives opportunity for failure and for the upper management to recognize the problem. Either way, you have done what is required. You followed chain of command.

        Besides that is what we pay them for. That is right, WE. They take a little out of our paychecks to fund the managers salery. They are accountable for that and should earn it as we do.

        • #2736345

          Cover their back

          by check_here ·

          In reply to They deserve support

          I support the view of maninthemidle. i wish to add that this is not a problem perculiar to n.harris alone. Every diligent and hardworking IT pro have a tendency to meet such a ‘lazy’ manager. He is bound to become one as goes up the ladder. This is so partly due to dynamic nature of IT profession and the task of management which tends to make those higher up the ladder deal less with technical issues but more with management or social issues. Harris is of course would not have to deal with as much of contact with ‘customers’ as the lazy manager. What should be paramount is that you are given a conducive environment to be at your best. When his time is up, your performance assures you of his place! My advice, keeping doing your utmost ro make your unit deliver the best, worry less about who gets the credit. Just wait for your own time to come.

    • #2736008

      Incompetent managers are hired by incompetent managers.

      by dc_guy ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      The problem in your company runs much higher than your immediate superior. Somebody hired her. Somebody is keeping her on staff despite knowing that she is incompetent. Office politics is involved. Stay out of it! If you force people to show their hands, I promise you that they will NOT thank you for it. They might have so much political capital invested in this person that in order to protect it they will get rid of the whistle blower.

      This stuff happens everywhere. You have to learn to put up with it and work around it. It’s a survival trait in the business world.

      I’ll give you my standard advice: Get a dog, or spend more time with the one you have. A dog will help you get your priorities straight. Put more of yourself into the other aspects of your life and less into your job. Go home on time every night. Take your lunch break outside the building, preferably soaking up some solar-spectrum light that will both release endorphins in the daytime and help you sleep more soundly at night. And don’t ever do anybody else’s work for them.

      It’s a paycheck. It’s a paycheck. It’s a paycheck.

      • #2730766

        Absolutely agree!

        by sister_clamp ·

        In reply to Incompetent managers are hired by incompetent managers.

        I have worked for almost two dozen employers, as a contractor and permanent, and one thing I’ve learned is that attitudes lower down the food chain ALWAYS reflect top management.

        My last employment was with one of the largest IT organisations in the world. When the CEO changed, within 6 months, the entire ethos of the company changed…and not for the good.

        Remember that people, after all, like to hire people who are images of themselves, or what they perceive themselves to be, and so it propagates down the line.

        My husband is in exactly the same position as you. He’s scanning job ads even as I type! That’s the only way we see out of the situation. As for her eventually being found out…sorry, but it doesn’t always happen.

        It’s only a job; it’s only a job; it’s only a job.

        • #2734960

          Yes its true !

          by tjona ·

          In reply to Absolutely agree!

          All my life, I have been working with so many managers, why is it so hard for managers to be just as hardworking with their own employees ???

          We worked hard and they get all the credits !

      • #2730762

        Don’t waste your time

        by matt.rushworth ·

        In reply to Incompetent managers are hired by incompetent managers.

        Your only concern is your own work and your own career (or it should only be). Whilst your boss may seem useless, it is not your concern. if your department is acheiving it’s goals be grateful. You are waisting your time worrying about this. It doesn’t make any differnce how good or bad anyone else is in your company. How hard you work is all that will come back to you. In the long run your work will get you the next job, so rather than stressing center your direction on doing the best you can for yourself as a technician. Your boss can worry about herself, her next job will be her future. (It is not worth kicking up a fuss, and it may be that there are factors outside your control or your consideration involved, so best to stop thinking in these lines altogether. If you cant do this leave the company as the problem has clearly become centered on you rather than her.

        Sounds mean but that is life- and sometimes we have to face ourselves when we’d like to blame someone else.

      • #2735017

        Time to Go, walk away

        by virtualgardener ·

        In reply to Incompetent managers are hired by incompetent managers.

        The reality is that a manager of a large company will never be fired on the word of a subordinate. Never, never, never. They will assume that you are simply gunning for his/her job. Rarely does a managers competence in the technical arena determine their eligibility for the position. His/Her supervisor will tell you that he/she was not hired for his ability to, for example, support workstations. That is YOUR job they will tell you. His/Her supervisor probably doesn’t know squat about computers, but he/she is still your superiors boss. See the pattern? Admitting your boss isn’t competent to manage you means admitting they themselves are not competent to manage your boss. Upper management will never admit that. Like the emperors new clothes, they rule because we all agree to let them, not because they deserve it. I tried for 2.5 years to get my company to recognize that their Network Admin couldn’t even figure out how to load paper in a printer or configure his own PC for Internet Access. I mean come on… It did not matter. I was labeled a troublemaker and my only option was to resign. Documentation doesn’t mean squat because your boss will be allowed to sit down with his/her supervisor and defend against your accusations. You will not be invited to this meeting, and his/her boss will always take the word of your supervisor over yours. That is part of the managers-stick-together creedo. Just leave it be, and start the job search, believe it or not, there are actually places out there that will treat you right! Injustice happens.

      • #3368151

        He’s right

        by jean-luc picard ·

        In reply to Incompetent managers are hired by incompetent managers.

        Life/work balance is the key.

        Use my motto:

        It’s my job, not my life!

    • #2730765

      RE: Dumb Manager

      by perseus ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      You Remember The Age Old Formula ?

      Smart Manager + Dumb Employee = PRODUCTION
      Dumb Manager + Dumb Employee = OVERTIME
      Smart Manager + Smart Employee = PROFIT
      Dumb Manager + Smart Employee = PROMOTION

      Well Jokes apart, You will have to tread a very cautious Path. Since Other Depatrtments are also complaining yet nothing is happening, it only means she’s got a sweet spot with Sr. Management.

      You will have to adopt a give and take approch in this case. Dirty as it may seem, that’s the only viable solution.

      Here’s how you do it. If she wants to take credit for your deptt’s Hard work, well So be it. (It happens all the time. Everywhere. No Exceptions) Since She leads it, She will get it by default even if she didn’t claim it. So Give it up.

      However You can make sure that within the deptt you get credit where its due from her. May Be a Time Off or Raise or a Paid vacation. This is a long drawn process but please keep your consious aside for some time. Slowly you start a push to accompany her to the Deptt Meeting with Sr. Management. Since as you say she’s got no Idea of what’s happening in the Deptt, She will appreciate the Face saving you can give at those meetings. You in turn can integrate more with Sr. Management. Over time you can build a case with other Deptt against her and use your newly found Integration to show her the door. Remeber Patience is a virtue.Good Luck!

    • #2730764

      Watch out for politics…

      by questor1 ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      I agree with the earlier postings, but would like to add that you should watch out for office politics…

      You need to carefully look at how this Manager got their position in the first place. Was it years with the company, (former) tech expertise, related to the company President, assumed a job no one else wanted or was qualified for, etc.?

      The bottom line is that consultants are often thrown into problem situations because of their expertise (tech and people-handling skills), yet are considered expendable when something goes wrong. It is easy for the Manager to blame an expendable employee or consultant for the Manager’s lack of coordination or tech skills, so be sure to document all conversations!

      Regards, Questor

    • #2730763

      Check your motives

      by jrjs ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      My first piece of advice is to check your motives for this complaint.

      It should be recognised that an IT Manager’s job and responsibilities differ from those of an IT technical professional. Can you be sure that she is not performing her job responsibilities properly?

      My second piece of advice is to make sure that you perform your job responibilities in an exemplary manner and to be seen to do so.

      In any decent organisation, people will be recognised for the way that they perform their work. If your organisation does not qualify, time to check the Job Ads!

      Finally, as recorded in another response, don’t let work dominate your life – make time to enjoy life outside of work. We ‘work to live’ not ‘live to work’.

      With luck, concentrating on your own job performance will get the recognition it deserves and enable you to avoid seeing the things that concern you about your manager.

      All the best 😉 (DLTBWYD).

      • #2734950

        Motives…

        by perseus ·

        In reply to Check your motives

        I can Hazard a guess and say that the primary Beef seems to be She taking Credit for Deptt’s Hard Work.

    • #2730756

      Live With it while protecting your own back

      by goanna ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      scum floats for a while so let it be, maybe she’ll evolve. just make sure your holding up your end and don’t get mixed in with those that waste time putting others down.

    • #2730755

      This is a political problem

      by commandgce ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      In any social situation there are three major variables – task, affiliation and power. There is no way you can solve this problem with a task or affiliation approach. So, it’s politics.
      Find out how the boss got her present position. Who pulled the strings? Was this a Peter Principle promotion? What does she have on her promoter? Who else in positions of power is linked to your boss? What do they think of her? How much clout do they have? If they think she’s wonderful, you’re in the wrong job; look elsewhere. If they’re willing to trade dirt, think what will happen to you, afterwards. Again, look elsewhere. You may think you have the balls, but they own the ball!

      • #2730749

        Response from the Author

        by d_bones ·

        In reply to This is a political problem

        Many thanks for all your suggestions, I’m polishing the C.V. as we speak. I thought the only real course of action was to sell my talents elsewhere. I just feel the injustice of the situation that affects others, not necessarily me, may be salvagable. And as a couple of you suggest. Perhaps I should “Get A Life” or a dog.

        Many thanks, it’s nice to know your not alone

        • #2735085

          Help Her to Learn

          by richard.barkley ·

          In reply to Response from the Author

          Chances are she relaizes her shortcomings. If I were you, I would help her learn the right way to do things…teach her…make good suggestions and praise her when she gets something right. Chances are she will eventually move from that position and she will recommend you to take over in her place. Be smart and do the right thing by her, after sll, she is your boss. Things will work out to your benefit in the long run if you exhibit the right karma.

          Brother Richard

        • #2734949

          Cheer Up Buddy

          by perseus ·

          In reply to Response from the Author

          Hey It happens to all of us. You certainly are not alone. Yes its a good Idea to Polish the CV even if you may not need it.

          What you may try is to not work so hard. Especially not like Alice The Dilbert’s Cow Worker. Cheer Up. It may not be as bad as it seems.

        • #3368213

          Sometimes an Ignorant manager is a good thing

          by kburmaster ·

          In reply to Response from the Author

          I guess I’m pretty lucky; I’m an IT director who’s direct manager is technically ignorant, but doesn’t hesitate to credit me with everything I’ve done. One good thing about a clueless manager: They don’t have the technical know-how to argue a point with you. I.T. is a fairly thankless job to begin with, so if you’re looking for credit, you may be in the wrong profession… I love it because there’s always something new to learn, and I love to solve problems, and if my manager leaves me alone to do that, who cares who gets the credit?…Every user in that building knows who keeps the place running, and who to call if something goes wrong.

          That’s the only validation that matters to me.

          People like your mgr. ALWAYS wind up with egg on their face eventually, you just have to stick around long enough to watch it happen… And
          there’s your bonus!

    • #2730750

      Opportunity..

      by jplace ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      I have every sympathy with your predicament. But I feel compelled to point out that ‘sour grapes’ is exactly what this does sound like. What does it matter how this person spends her time at work and frankly what business is it of yours? Are these other departments really complaining or is this just a case of office gossip? I know that this all sounds harsh but you sound like you’re in danger of becoming the office moaner and believe me the only person that’s going to hurt is you. Of course, you could do the smart thing and use this as an opportunity; why not try to get along with your Boss and support her? You’ll then become the person that she starts to rely on. This isn’t brown-noseing, it is simply the way that companies operate. Eventually you’ll find that people will start to notice that your Manager values your input and you’ll be the helpful, friendly person who is considered favourably at pay reviews etc. The absolute worst that can happen is that you’ll start to purge yourself of your anger and will start enjoying your work more. How do I know all this? Because it’s what I did when I had exactly the same problem that you’re facing. Good luck.

      • #2730747

        Yeah, make the best of the situation ,,,

        by boneyfish ·

        In reply to Opportunity..

        I agree, lighten up and and make a way to enjoy this situation. In the long run, that can only make you look better. You will have handled the situation, and come out “smelling like a rose” instead of looking like the bad guy that started unnecessary stuff. You will more easily succeed if you work with others, bosses or not, rather than work against them.

      • #2735213

        A Good Manager

        by rcdata ·

        In reply to Opportunity..

        I have been a Manager for many years now and I have learned one thing. A good manager will surround himself/herself with good people. A manager is only as good as the people under them.
        A great manager will not be above anyone else in there department. Yes, at times the “buck” has to stop somewhere.
        My “employee’s” would consider me a great manager, I am involved in every aspect of the projects at hand. I am also considered a “friend” because I do not put myself above them. I don’t know everything and sometimes you needs a fresh way to look at a particular problem in order to come to a resolution. Sounds like your boss is a good manager and not a great one. Maybe you should ask her when she is done with the paper if you could read it..

    • #2730748

      Response from the Author

      by d_bones ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      Many thanks for all your suggestions, I’m polishing the C.V. as we speak. I thought the only real course of action was to sell my talents elsewhere. I just feel the injustice of the situation that affects others, not necessarily me, may be salvagable. And as a couple of you suggest. Perhaps I should “Get A Life” or a dog.

      Many thanks, it’s nice to know your not alone

      • #2735133

        Take the high road

        by david_sorenson ·

        In reply to Response from the Author

        As stated in earlier responses. Make sure your work or work product is impeccable. Get tuned into what the boss is asking of you. Similar situation for me a couple years ago (with back-to-back bosses). Take the high road and understand the office politics.

        The moral of the story is that both bosses met/chose their fate by their actions. Me, I’m still with the company.

        • #2734989

          Definately the high road

          by mgordon ·

          In reply to Take the high road

          The value of the high road depends somewhat on your work and face time, but an example of it is “surviving” two ISP buy-outs. I wasn’t even one of the retained employees, the retained ones were chosen for emotional reasons or possibly family relationships. But I had an excellent record of responsibility; leading to becoming the office manager (in fact, the only employee of that office). When the ISP finally folded permanently they had not communicated to customers or employee (me). The equipment was staying but would be operated from a VERY long distance away. I was very worried about customers that expected to be able to pay in person as they had been, getting personalized helpdesk. I emailed all 700 of my customers suggesting that the new provider, although distant, still had excellent equipment so if they didn’t need a lot of helpdesk, they should stay on; but if they DID need helpdesk, I suggested a couple of good local ISP’s. By not treating my former employer as an enemy, it showed good character and my period of unemployment was two days when one of my customers became my employer. Treat your customers well.

        • #2734258

          Reply To: How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

          by secure_lockdown9 ·

          In reply to Definately the high road

          thats one helluva nice and uplifting post. 🙂

          nice to see there are good employers and good people still out there.

      • #2735076

        Lazy Manager

        by sw1ne2001 ·

        In reply to Response from the Author

        Interesting thread this, I have enjoyed the many views expressed and would just like to add my 2p.

        D_Bones.. As a manager myself (after many years working my way from the very bottom of my organisation and working in a lot of the roles within my business sector), someone made the decision to allow me to run my own bit of hell in the technical arm of my company.

        The same organisation did not prepare me in any real way to handle the responsibility and unfortunately this seems to be a norm within industry as a whole. They, (HR / Personnel etc) promote people to do a managerial role on a number of criteria, knowledge, length of service etc without really considering the ‘soft’ (sic) skills needed to run a unit, it cost me (and others) pain whilst I developed. Still if you can’t stand the heat….

        One of the key gripes I have came across is “my manager is lazy”, how do you know? Do you do her job? In my experience a manager is paid to ensure that the business is managed properly, to ensure that projects, products and deadlines are delivered as required to the organisation, and, if they are paid to be line managers, that the employees they manage are motivated, developed and kept busy.

        If your manager crows because you did work well and to time / within budget etc then they have performed exactly as they are required by the company (why have a dog and bark?).

        You are passionate enough about your work to raise the issue, are you passionate enough to change the situation? Your manager deserves your respect and honesty, as do your subordinates, colleagues and customers. If you break that trust then people tend to respond badly (bad news in the longer term).

        Ask the lady in question what her goals are for you and the department and then help her to crow louder, it will be good for you and good for her. Who knows she may be promoted and then it could be your responsibility (and then your fault!).

        Both sh*t and cream float, it’s hard to get sacked in larger organisations (unless you are stupid) but you rarely rise further than you are able to handle and as long as you please your boss then you are in with a chance.

        Concentrate on you, if she is as bad as you think then she won’t last.

        You are worth your own investment.

        Regards,

        Ian

    • #2730746

      AGREE With the masses

      by rjoseph ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      The only thing I would add is this. You will never get anywhere in life bringing others down. Let them fall themselves. Many people said cover your back, well I will get more specific.

      You write the code? comment it with your name or e-mail (if it is internal only, so you don’t get spammed) and explain the workings very well. If ever someone audits your work, you will be the first one they ask. Sounds simple but it works.

      Documentation is another great way of focusing on yourself a bit more. Write the white papers for the projects, and include your name on it.

      Concentrate on getting some spotlight on you rather than trying to place the AXE over her.

      Your in a tough area, and by focusing on her you are the only one that will get hurt.

      • #2730740

        Support your boss, whatever

        by gabby22 ·

        In reply to AGREE With the masses

        Agree completely. I’ve been in this situation a couple of times and advised many others in the same boat. It’s not just about being nice and happy. Any of the more obvious solutions (apart from jumping ship) can easily damage your position and your career. If you white-ant your boss, how’s your next boss gunna feel about you?

        IMNSHO the *only* approach is to support your boss to the maximum as far as work and advice goes (if questioned about her performance, make neutral comments, and don’t get drawn into trashing sessions). Sometimes this is hard, particularly when she wants you to do things that you think are a waste of time. However, I’ve generally found that stupid, greedy, ignorant or arrogant folks are the easiest to manipulate, so you can get some good practice here.

        But back to the subject. Do everything you can to make her look good and stay on top of things. Others, including others at higher levels, will notice eventually, and it will reflect well on you.

        Finally, although you should CYA, don’t make it too obvious or she may work out what you’re doing and you could become the fallguy. People like this are often great survivors – that’s how they get to where they are. If she think’s you’re a threat, it’s time to pack.

        • #2735234

          support?? umm nope

          by leyther ·

          In reply to Support your boss, whatever

          We had a similar situation recently. Our Ops Manager came in and seemed to be competent, and knew what she was doing, but then the cracks started to appear. First it was that she would claim we were the ones at fault although it was blatantly obvious she was, she lied continuously, claimed credit for other peoples work, and criticised others for doing something, then go ahead and do it herself. As we were in the office with her we noticed the flaws sooner than those who would only be there rarely, but eventually she was seen as what she was by all. But she was still working here so we had to make do of a bad lot.

          Then she left; and its now become apparent that she was even more incompetent than we realised, now we have had a chance to sort through the mess she left (we still wonder what she was doing the whole time she was here).

          To me it seems that a bad manager is only allowed to get away with what they do because nobody above them seems to take the time to check what they’re doing, or know what they’re doing. As an office employee i have someone above me who is checking my work, but who is checking the checker?

        • #2735203

          Get them before they screw you!!

          by capabel ·

          In reply to support?? umm nope

          I was in a situation a few times like that and the easiest way out was when I felt I was being pumped for obvious information that my boss wanted to use for his own. I would initially give him bad advice and horrible direction so if it was ever used or passed on as his he would take the blame not the credit. Then I would draft possible options after the sh** hit the fan coming in as a savior. The boss quickly realized I wasn’t his pawn, but his opponent and decided to take a position elsewhere about a year later where I was then promoted to his position.

          The key is your only a worker so you more than likely won’t take the blame for bad decisions as much as your boss will so if he/she is inept let them be and don’t bail them out. Eventually someone will realize they don’t have a clue and look for others who do!!

      • #2735233

        Documentation is key for a host of reasons

        by cindy in fl ·

        In reply to AGREE With the masses

        This will sound like an echo but it bears repeating – you never get anywhere by bringing others down, not in the long run anyhow. And the person you damage the most in attempting to do so is yourself. Don’t even think about it politically, think about what it does to who you are. It’s not worth it, and not what you want to be remembered for.

        Next to ensuring that your work is of the highest quality possible, I have always felt that the the key to all of this is documentation. Commenting code, creating a “paper” trail of your conversations and assignments, etc. It’s all been said by others here, and it’s the best advice. That way if/when “what goes around, comes around” you’ll not be caught up in the fall out.

        I add 1 documentation technique that I learned the hard way. Keep track of what you do on a daily basis (I use a steno pad). Not minute by minute, but in chunks of an hour or more (no, it does not take that much time, I’ve done it for years). Then, and this is the key, write a monthly status report. Your boss will think it’s a terrific idea (it really is a great tool for her at appraisal time, etc.) and you have a comprehensive paper trail of your accomplishments that can be used for a multitude of reasons: Use it when compiling reasons why you deserve a better raise or rating at appraisal time, use it to cite specific accomplishments when writing a resume for that new job, etc. I write one whether my boss requests it or not. Biggest lesson I’ve learned in my years working in IT.

        Good Luck.

        • #2735227

          Ahh yes, but…

          by gamboge ·

          In reply to Documentation is key for a host of reasons

          documentation (CYA) is only as good as your ability to get someone to look at it. All the paper in the world won’t help if you’re terminated and escorted out the door–then it’s too late for “I can prove I didn’t make the dumb mistakes/shirk my job/foul up/etc.” You must find a way to achieve maximum visibility for all that info…without making your boss look like an inept slacker. And *that* is the reall challenge. Unpalatable as it may be you need to make her look good while at the same time making it clear to everyone that you are fabulous–pretend you’re juggling chainsaws.

    • #2730741

      ..hey, this is your big chance

      by andy_c ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      As much as it pains you, change your attitude. Getting on with your manager is the only ticket to better things either with your firm or getting a new job. It’s about being more clever than your manager by making sure your manager NEEDS you. Hey, before you know it YOU’LL be spending all day in management meetings (chatting to friends, reading the paper, big bonus etc etc etc)

    • #2730739

      Changing jobs may not be the answer

      by susan_h ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      If the only “bad” part of your job is your aggrevation with your
      manager, changing jobs is not the answer. There are similar
      managers everywhere (think Dilbert and the pointy-haired boss).
      A new job may just mean another “incompetant” (or worse) boss
      with assignments that are nowhere near as interesting or
      rewarding. Try getting your satisfaction from a job well done.

    • #2735235

      Reply To: How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      by ted100 ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      The so called manager sounds like a leech and the way to deal with leech’s is to remove there supply – can you and your co-workers shield info from the leech & present it to another outlet of information, remember you can always use your skills to YOUR advantage

      • #2734940

        get a clue

        by adkins1218 ·

        In reply to Reply To: How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

        I feel your pain,I went thru 5 assistant plant managers and 5 plant managers in 11 years at the same company and out of all of them only 1 was both technically comptent and had the people skills to get the best out of his employees.Look it’s easy,go back to school,open your own company then YOU are the boss.You probably don’t work rotating shiftwork so you have nights,weekends,holidays off(read:work 8,sleep 8,party 8)also you most likely have a sit down job,a\c in the office ect: Quit whining.Do you really think a new outlook twords the boss now really would be believed? More importaintly, could you look yourself in the mirror?
        I think the best thing would be to a)Look for another job. and b)Prepare to open your own business.This might mean distance or local college degree’s,get published in the field you are in,but quit whining and get off your butt and make a change to improve your situation.In the meantime,suffer in silence,keep a smile on your face,do the best job you can and create change to put yourself on a path to a better future,only you can make it happen.

    • #2735231

      Lazy Manager

      by anton.starling ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      Normal syndrome and painful. Typical of slow death syndrome of an individual and this permeates into the team. 2 things:
      1. company should have Management by Objectives environment, so manager is driven from top down.
      2. if you consider yourself leader, then learn to “break through”. i.e. when things need to get done, do them. Take initiative with the team, and breakthrough the slow death syndrome. Diplomatically let senior mangement realise the team operates without the lazy one, this is done through motivation, setting your own objectives and getting the results. Maybe set up a news letter, electronic, and let the company know what the team is doing. Challenge other department resources to better your results and create healthy competition. Do this inspite of the lazy manager! E-mail me for more if you want!!

    • #2735230

      It’s an injustice!!

      by sealife ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      You have run slap-bang into an injustice. It is interesting to read the advice that you’ve been given so far:
      * Pick up the sword.
      * Run away.
      * Life’s like that.
      * Who are you anyway?

    • #2735228

      Start Assigning Tasks

      by robertsrules ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      If you believe your manager is lazy then start assigning them tasks that you believe a manager should perform to support the cause. It’s not just a job, it’s upto one third of your short waking life. If your assignments don’t generate some discussion and resolution, then I would decide on a change to a better environment. I agree, incompetent managers hire incompetent managers.

      • #2735202

        This is true–but tact is required

        by mek804 ·

        In reply to Start Assigning Tasks

        Some of the replies here mention “just live with it”. I don’t think
        that’s the trick at all. I like robertsrules response: find something
        for her to do, but be extra tactful about it.

        Her flaw is that she likes to “step forward to take credit”. This is
        the chink in her armour. Find a way to get her to get off of her
        duff and do things using phrases like “I really need someone
        with your kind of clout to take the ball on this one” or “this
        would make other departments know how wonderful we are”.

        Sounds weaselly, I know, but your world has already been
        tainted by weasels, and you will have to play by their rules now.
        Glory hounds fall for it every time, and now you’ve not only
        gotten them busy, you may well have made yourself a “good
        guy” in the process.

        Incompetent managers are not always the ones who hire
        incompetent managers–the blame for that, and for not finding
        a way to help get rid of them, often falls on HR/Personnel, as
        well. But I suppose that’s a whole different thread…

        mk

    • #2735222

      It’s an injustice!!

      by sealife ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      You have run slap-bang into an injustice. It is interesting to read the advice that you’ve been given so far:
      * Pick up the sword.
      * Get a dog.
      * Run away.
      * Life’s like that.
      * Who are you anyway?

      The question of what to do is interesting. If we allow injustices to prosper then what of the world in which we live? I suggest that it will just get worse.

      To stop the injustices he propogated Hitler had to be stopped. Appeasement didn’t work. Early indications are that it was a good move to take him out even though the cost was massive.

      Some of us can fight and some can’t. You have to decide whether it’s an important enough issue for you to deal with directly; whether it’s your way. There’s plenty of advice on playing politics in these posts and I agree that it’s a risky option. It is what humans seem to do when they get into organisations though.

      I have to say that I never had a job for long that was just a job. I have been lucky enough to do things I’ve been passionate about. There was lots of conflict and I moved about. Some I won and some I lost but I am glad that I fought for what I believed.

      I also think that dogs are great company.

      Good luck with whatever you decide to do about herself – you’ll meet lots more of the same in life.

    • #2735221

      send a letter

      by philip ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      I would recommend writing a letter to the next superior expressing your thoughts. This is a sample letter that came to me and though it is probably not true, it points out how to express the incompetence of your boss:

      Dear Mr. Baker,

      As a graduate of an institution of higher education, I have a few very basic expectations. Chief among these is that my direct superiors have an intellect that ranges above the common ground squirrel. After your consistent and annoying harassment of my coworkers and me during the commission of our duties, I can only surmise that you are one of the few true genetic wastes of our time.

      Asking me, a network administrator, to explain every little nuance of everything I do each time you happen to stroll into my office is not only a waste of time, but also a waste of precious oxygen. I was hired because I know how to network computer systems, and you were apparently hired to provide amusement to myself and other employees, who watch you vainly attempt to understand the concept of “cut and paste” for the hundredth time.

      You will never understand computers. Something as incredibly simple as binary still gives you too many options. You will also never understand why people hate you, but I am going to try and explain it to you, even though I am sure this will be just as effective as telling you what an IP is. Your shiny new iMac has more personality than you ever will.

      You walk around the building all day, shiftlessly looking for fault in others. You have a sharp dressed useless look about you that may have worked for your interview, but now that you actually have responsibility, you pawn it off on overworked staff, hoping their talent will cover for your glaring ineptitude. In a world of managerial evolution, you are the blue-green algae that everyone else eats and laughs at. Managers like you are a sad proof of the Dilbert principle. Since this situation is unlikely to change without you getting a full frontal lobotomy reversal, I am forced to tender my resignation, however I have a few parting thoughts.

      1. When someone calls you in reference to employment, it is illegal for you to give me a bad recommendation. The most you can say to hurt me is “I prefer not to comment.” I will have friends randomly call you over the next couple of years to keep you honest, because I know you would be unable to do it on your own.

      2. I have all the passwords to every account on the system, and I know every password you have used for the last five years. If you decide to get cute, I am going to publish your “favorites list”, which I conveniently saved when you made me “back up” your useless files. I do believe that terms like “Lolita” are not usually viewed favorably by the administration.

      3. When you borrowed the digital camera to “take pictures of your Mother’s birthday,” you neglected to mention that you were going to take pictures of yourself in the mirror nude. Then you forgot to erase them like the techno-moron you really are. Suffice it to say I have never seen such odd acts with a sauce bottle, but I assure you that those have been copied and kept in safe places pending the authoring of a glowing letter of recommendation. (Try to use a spell check please; I hate having to correct your mistakes.)

      Thank you for your time, and I expect the letter of recommendation on my desk by 8:00 am tomorrow. One word of this to anybody, and all of your little twisted repugnant obsessions will be open to the public. Never f*** with your systems administrator. Why? Because they know what you do with all that free time!

      Wishing you a grand and glorious day,

      Cecelia

    • #2735217

      What a Waste

      by dumbuser ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      Ok, so my mom told me life isn’t fair — I can see that when losers like this get managerial jobs and the rest of us slug it out in the trenches.

      I know, too bad the city bus can’t “remove” her one morning. In lieu of that, you’ll probably have to do one of a couple of things: 1)leave, 2)shot her, 3)undermine her, 4)ignore her. Personally, I’d either figure out how to ignore her (though I’ll admit, watching her take credit for something she didn’t do is irritating, to say the least) or move on. You need to find a manager/leader you can respect.

    • #2735216

      Do not let it bridle your enthusiasm for work

      by rkallianpur ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      Hi,

      Not knowing about your circumstances, all I would like to say is do not let her bridle your enthusiasm for your work or for you seeking better things for your customer. Do not fall into the trap of thinking that “oh, she gets the praise,so why should I bother”? You will do yourself injustice and to the ones who rely on you – your customers.

      In so far as your boss, think of it not being your problem. Trust me, people know who does the real work, who is there just to take credit.

      And by the way, if there is no encouragement from your boss, do not take it personally. Mediocrity rarely encourages excellence – they are threatened by it.

      Ravi Kallianpur
      ravi@i-55.com

    • #2735212

      Lazy Managers, Bad Teachers

      by cabnva ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      From time-to-time, we have to deal with people we don’t like. Sounds like you’re spending a lot of time monitoring your manager’s behavior instead of focusing on your on work. You can’t control her performance. Possibly she was hired/promoted for competancies you can’t see. In any event, focus on your own skills and work; the cream always rises. If you don’t like the situation, vote with your feet. Take another job.

      • #2735105

        Managers always look lazy to staffers

        by isgirl ·

        In reply to Lazy Managers, Bad Teachers

        In my experience, Managing a workgroup requires an entirely different set of skills than being a NetAdmin or IT Tech.

        Managing any department requires endless reports to Sr. Management, boring Management Meetings, budgeting, shuffling the schedules of staff, and very little hands on project oriented work.

        Managers are also held responsible for the screw ups of their staff, so they may find that they take the blame when something goes wrong and feel entitled to take the credit when things go right.

        It is my opinion that the grass always looks greener, and you may think your boss doesn’t actually have to work because you see them wasting a little time at work. Odds are, she is working on things you don’t have any interest in or any desire to be involved in – like the departmental budget or metrics reporting for the weekly meeting.

        In my opinion, a Department that finds little need for direction from their manager is well managed. It takes a certain personality type to delegate responsbility and knowledge to those beneath them. Some managers let their staff do very little because they don’t want to lose the control they have over their staff in the form of their superior knowledge.

        My advice is to look more closely for the things that she is doing that qualify as work and compare the time she spends on personal calls and recreational reading to the time you spend on personal things at work….I bet it will be close.

        Last, you might demonstrate to her that she leads by example and do a little light reading of your own on company time and feel free to make personal calls when you wish (or do you already?). This may remind her that she is setting the example and she may cut back on her time-wasters in the office too….or she will let you get away with it.

        Bad managers are everywhere and you may find the same or worse in the next job. Learn to adapt.

    • #2735211

      Help With His/Her Promotion

      by johnnysacks ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      Having been through quite a few companies, this is VERY typical and you’re best off to garner all the exposure you can for person #1 – you.

      Believe me, it doesn’t take much – if you’re good, everyone knows enough to look past the facade of this non-entity manager.

      Hopefully you’re in a Fortune 100 company and there’s room above for him/her to be promoted.

      • #2735042

        Help Her get Hired Elsewhere

        by rbchapin ·

        In reply to Help With His/Her Promotion

        Start saying great things about her to people who are recruiting for someone in a position like hers. Refer recruiter contacts to her. — All Anonymously, of course.

    • #2735206

      Similar Situation

      by orion215 ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      I am in a similar situation. However, my boss doesn’t even make decisions. I pretty much make every decision for her. There are only two of us in the department so this means I get to do most all the work, while she sits and replies to online dating forums and shops ebay. My advice would be to do you job to the best of your abilities and start looking for another job. One way or the other, your situation will be rectified.

    • #2735201

      Good Manager?

      by rcdata ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      A Good manager will surround themselves with good employees,
      A great manager will manage the paperwork and work with there employees!!
      If all the work is being done, sounds like she is doing a “good” job! You may no like the way things are done but you have to ask yourself,”How would I manage the department?” Try and ask to read the paper after she is done with it !! The way things go is if your assigned work, even if you think it is your bosses work, bottom line.. it’s your work!!
      I am the owner of my own comapny, I work hand-in-hand with my employee’s!! I don’t know everything and sometimes you need a new way to look at things. You shouldn’t be concered with what she is doing.. just do your job!!!

    • #2735190

      Suggestion from a whistle blower

      by rob c ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      In my 40 years of working (20 years in IT), I would categorize managers into –
      10% competent, and managing well
      30% competent(once), but evolved to using politics
      60% incompetent, and using politics.
      And a very high percentage of the 90% adept at avoiding/shifting blame, and stealing credit.

      You could go down my path and blow the whistle, then fight for two years to protect your job, until the stress kills you.
      Or, try to get upper management to introduce a philosophy of ‘accountability’.
      In an ideal world, there would be either an official or anonymous means for staff to rate their managers.
      If the top manager is competent, and secure in his abilities, you could get a few staff to send anonymous suggestions for introduction of such
      a rating system.
      Unfortunately quite often the top manager, is just as political as the rest.
      I left (or was pushed out of) auditing in early 80’s because audits were not being done properly. It is only recently that their slackness is being exposed.

      Hope you have better luck than me.

      Rob C

      PS I have found that most staff these days would rather suck up, and protect their own backs, than try to fix things.

    • #2735185

      Deal w/ it

      by the_punisher79 ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      Man, I sympathyze with you totally, but you are going to run into these people pretty much everywhere you go. Dumb people can can talk like pros and other dumb people will believe them. What will hopefully happen is that someone will actually call this person to backup her talk with actual hands on work and she won’t be able to do it. It’s strange but it seems like to be a manager or in management, you must know nothing about what you’re managing. The movie Office Space comes to mind : )

    • #2735182

      Doormat

      by david ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      People will treat you like a doormat if you let them. It’s not easy to confront your boss but, in my experience, if you put your comments across in a firm, but professional, manner without being nasty or rude you will mostly gain that person’s respect.

      Once you’ve gained respect then you can sort out the issues. Bolster yourself and go to it buddy. Good luck.

    • #2735180

      Use it to your advantage

      by realgem ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      Look, you’re not going to change your boss. Don’t bother trying. Also, don’t compromise your professionalism by feeding mis-information to her, spreading rumours, or bad-mouthing her.

      Since she’s not adding any value, then you (and your peers) are essentially running the department. You probably have a lot of leeway; enjoy it. Would you rather have a micro-manager who can actually do your job and is constantly second-guessing you? Trust me, you don’t.

    • #2735177

      Go for a pay raise.

      by fulltruthseeker ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      The boss your boss is schmoozing likely goes for that sort of thing. Proceed with caution. Technical skill won’t displace an entrenched schmoozer. If you are as good as you think then get yourself noticed by going for a pay raise. If you don’t – you might be seen as overpaid. It is easier for a schmoozer to replace someone in an overpaid position. By going for a pay raise, even if you get it, the position is likely to be seen by others as being well balanced and certainly not overpaid since management just approved the increase and everyone knows they wouldn’t get into a bad deal for the company.

    • #2735176

      Been there…

      by user@# ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      Wish I could offer some assistance, but….
      Some years ago I was employed by a small company. My boss (the Technical Director, who was also the General Manager)quit; the office was bought by another division and my new (Technical Director)boss was a newly-hired female PhD I was actually looking forward to working with. One of her first orders of business was to replace me (a business move I can understand if she knew what she was doing– which she did not). Long story short– she did not last a year, but I was since long gone (having gone on to bigger and better things).

      It may be a sign to start packing your bags while you still have the time to do so on your own schedule. This one sounds like bad news you can not do a thing about.

    • #2735175

      Grin and Bear It

      by winfan ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      First off, this manager was picked by her boss for what the boss thought were valid reasons. If you complain to the big boss he or she is most likely going to be offended and not take it kindly that you challenge their beliefs/decisions. That makes you come out the loser again.

      Upper management will take the view that you were hired to do your job and not to evaluate your manager. Her being lazy should not effect your job performance. If it effects her own job performance and it ultimately will, she will pay the price.

      You only have one choice and that is to do your job and do it well. Let nature take its course with the lazy manager. If she’s incompetent then it will catch up with her at some point.

    • #2735173

      Cultivate your own garden

      by delbertpgh ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      Like Candide said, stick to your own business. If you’re as good as you wish your boss was, your competence will speak loudest for you. That being said, every technical problem has a human and economic environment, so if you want your good works with the tech stuff to actually be effective, you have to understand the personal and organizational side of the trade. Which means getting to know your way around the company, and becoming known in turn. A real techie’s job is getting effective solutions to human problems that are actually out there, and not taking for granted that what he knows how to do is what needs to be done. Do that, and you will be known and loved, and can move past your boss with grace and serenity. In other words, she’s not your problem.

      Your boss may be the female equivalent of the Dilbert’s pointy-haired incompetent, but she’s there because she’s got something figured out that you probably don’t. Time to get your head out of your cube and learn what’s going on.

      Humility and a decent wardrobe will help, too.

    • #2735157

      Be Direct

      by stillwaters ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      Similar events have taught me to always use the direct approach. It’s difficult for sure, but rewarding in the end. If she does not respond, then take it to the next level. I offered to quit once over a boss problem, but was told that I would just be leaving the problem to someone else. In the end, it was made clear to me that I should have raised the issue sooner.

    • #2735151

      Unfortunately I did not know to CYA…

      by joecolly ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      I had the same type of boss(thought it was good because she stayed out of my way and let me do my thing) and I did not keep anything in writing and when we missed a MAJOR dead line the fingers started to point and I, lead developer, got the fall. She has since left the company but I have a bad mark on my record. Luckily, I did not get fired and have since proved my worth but it has been a long uphill battle.

    • #2735145

      Patience is a Virtue

      by kroof ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      I know it seems like an eternity, but people like the woman you described will eventuall become her own downfall. If she’s out-of-date technically, you can feed her poison; but even that is risky. I’ve seen this happen twoice before. I’ve always left before the downfall, but have heard from others about the plummet. (Just wish I could have been there!)

    • #2735143

      Stay professional!

      by bcdrguy ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      I know how you feel! I was in your position for about 3 years. I watched this manager take all the credit from everyone. He sat on his butt and never stood up for anyone of his directs when the time came. I was the person that everyone complained to about him, but no one would stand up and be counted. I am now unemployed because I spoke up. Don’t be the hero. These people are peers to other management teams and when push comes to shove, they stand for each other. Find a way to make your point effectively, don?t work around her. The unemployment line is a terrible place to be.

    • #2735140

      A different direction!

      by thesage ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      Unlike every one else, I am NOT going to tell you to sit there and take it. I can tell by the tone of your original post that you are already fed up with the situation. Do not just quit. Go out and find a recruiter. Use this opportunity while you have a job to find a better job. If you are ready, one where YOU’RE THE BOSS. I have been in exactly the situation you are in, so here is my advice, “the house won’t fall unless you break the foundation.” It is obvious that you and the rest of your department are propping her up. Three times over the last 22 years, I have found myself in similar situation. I used the fact that I had a steady paycheck as an opportunity to find a better position with a bigger paycheck. Do not jump at the first thing that comes along. Wait on the job that is right for you. Who knows, you might come across that rare position where you can turn around and hire her staff away from her and rip her foundation right out from under her. Good luck.

    • #2735137

      Lazy Boss

      by joew ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      Start to make a paper trail of what you and the IT Department do and what she does. It will take a little time, but document the crap out of everything. Once you can prove her incompentence then you take it to the next level, either the managing director or HR. It will be messy but then again it always is when trying to make changes with a manager.

    • #2735134

      Speaking from experience

      by john_hurt ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      Lazy managers are hard to work for; however, in dealing with this I always ask the same question: “Have you talked to her about your feelings?”. What if she doesn’t get it? What if she thinks she is doing her job, but everyone around her doesn’t.

      One of the key elements to becoming a valuable employee is to learn to “develop up”. If you were in her shoes you would not want a group of people generating an uprising towards you. You would want to understand how your people felt, weed out the “soft criticism” and work on building a platform of trust, and teamwork.

      My suggestion: Go talk to her. Be up front, but not confrontational. Suggest a team meeting in which everyone clarifies areas of opportunity in the team, NOT THE INDIVIDUALS, and suggest ways to improve.

      If your problem persists, then I believe JIM (other respondent) was right – let her ride to her death; however, remember – once she is gone someone else will take over and there WILL be traits you and your co-workers don’t like about that person.

      Better to resolve the issue now, and avoid either getting on her bad side, or getting so fed up that you leave your company. Find a way to make it a better place to work.

      JH

    • #2735125

      Lazy Responses Concern me!

      by the igneous group ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      I think many of the respondents are suggesting laying low and let your manager’s lack of work ethic solve itself.

      Why is this tolerated at your company? Why are the upper management allowing this to go on? Before you take any action, make sure you have answers to the broader questions.

      In my firm I would be just as dissapointed in a staff that did nothing about this manager as I would be with the manager!

      Geoff

      • #2713263

        You must be a manager.

        by kingmans ·

        In reply to Lazy Responses Concern me!

        You suggest doing “something” but provide no suggestions. “make sure you have answers to the broader questions.” Come to think of it, you sound like a consultant.

    • #2735110

      Lazy manager fix

      by networkguyinsavannah ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      I too have had to deal with this and can tell you it was hell to see her grab credit for My and others in the department hard work. Basically, set her up for a huge fall; this will require everyone working together to feed her disinformation, worng answers, or answers others will see as “gibberish techno-babble”. After two times, i guarantee you she will become so paraniod ( and lose so much face with others ) she will be fighting for her survival while you all go about your work. It is fun to be able to NOT have to throw a lifeline to such “human waste” and watch them struggle for survival! Call me cold, but after being stabbed twice and denied raises while my manager got huge bonuses, I decided to go gorilliatactics!

      • #2735100

        Dangerous

        by mikefromco ·

        In reply to Lazy manager fix

        If I were above a department doing that, you’d best run for cover too.
        As much as I wouldn’t support a manager described by the original poster, I’m not going to tolerate a mutiny either.
        You’re upsetting an applecart for what reason (in the case of the original poster)? There’s no evidence that she is not rewarding her staff or even if that is within her ability.
        So, just for taking credit? Bah. If the money’s good and work isn’t bad, deal with it.
        Besides, the next manager may be a micro-managing nut!

        • #2735049

          ie:Dangerous

          by networkguyinsavannah ·

          In reply to Dangerous

          I read your point and though “he” did not say the manager was not rewarding him, the point was “she” ( the manager ) was sitting on her duff, talking to friends, doing ZERO work, taking all the credit for the department’s “good” work. Yes, the next might be a micro manager but is that better than a no load manager who takes credit for the work when “she” doesn’t contribute? I say bull. Having been a technician and now a manager, I INSURE my people are recognized and rewarded. For those managers who don’t have the “balls and the brains” to do the same, they get what is coming to them. Too many years, I sat back, took crumbs, and watch inept personnel climb the ladder ( I still have to answer to one ) while I sweated and worked and worried about my job, my pay, and my future. Worthless managers and bosses beware, either recognize your people or get off your duffs and contribute. AS for advice, if he does not want a munity, perhaps he should take advice of others….find another job and upon leaving, tell the manager what a worthless protein mixture she is…to her face and to HR!

    • #2735103

      Problem is..

      by mikefromco ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      It is hard to determine whether your department is functioning or not. On the one hand, it sounds like it is getting the job done.
      But you do say ‘other departments moan and groan’ as well. Other managers or other workers?
      I’ve worked with hands-off and hands-on managers; truthfully prefer hands-off unless needed.
      In my own style, I try to only offer guidance where needed. If I have to follow people around, I may as well do it myself. I’m looking at the bigger picture making sure the parts come together.
      Keep in mind that some management designs also give the manager little to do, except admin stuff; especially when things are going along well.
      If you like what you’re doing, just document the work you are doing to cya. If she basically leaves everyone to their own, chances are you won’t have a problem unless you create one. I wouldn’t do that unless I had a job lined up…

      • #2735087

        Are you my Co-Worker?

        by james schroer ·

        In reply to Problem is..

        Actually I know your not I asked him when I read this. We are in the exact situation but to make it worse is that her manager even says that she should be fired. We’ve been kicking and screaming for 2 years now and still nothing. They (her manager and HR) said it’s just a matter of time for her to get it straight and if not… POOF! So my advice is get the H3ll out of there ASAP. It got as bad as I told HR that I would rather work at WAL-Mart than with her. HR said they won’t let me leave.

        • #2735046

          ie: Are you my co-worker?

          by networkguyinsavannah ·

          In reply to Are you my Co-Worker?

          HR – Short for HARDLY RESOURCEFUL! If HR is your buddy, the only way you will get fired is if you actually murder someone in from of 1000 witnesses. If you and HR are not buddy, spit wrong on the grass and prepare for being written up! Though not vengeful unless pushed, this is one group I make e-mail and writ up work orders and follow EVERY regulation there is!

    • #2735083

      Succeed when things aren’t perfect

      by raelayne ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      You have in incompetent manager. It’s disappointing. But it’s also an opportunity.

      What do you want? Your manager’s job? Your manager to do her job? Your manager to let you do whatever you want in your job? Decide. It’s business, not personal life — you’re allowed to be competitive and self-interested. And remember that it’s probably apparent to everyone, including her manager, that your manager isn’t doing her job. It’s organizational inertia that’s supporting the status quo. Tip it!

      1. If you want your manager’s job, it shouldn’t be too hard. Build relationships with key people in other departments. Become the can-do person. Your reputation will build, and pretty soon your manager’s manager will be getting pressure to move you into the leadership position from his or her peers. Look for a way to make your manager’s manager look good. Skip a level. That will do it.

      2. You want a real manager? Figure out who that should be. Then start dropping subtle hints. Build that person up. Subtly. Look for an opportunity to drop the hint to your manager’s manager. By then, if you’ve done your prep work, he or she will have heard it from others.

      3. You want someone to let you do whatever you want? To back you up and support you and stay out of your way. It’s easy! I learned this from a co-worker who had 8 managers in as many years, and managed them all. Practice this: “As you’ve said many times, …” Quote her all the time, every time you get a chance in a meeting. “Mary wants us to …” “As Mary says …” Pretty soon she’ll think she did say all of that.

      Most important, don’t be a coward. Take charge of the situation and make it work for you. Or drop out of the business world.

    • #2735045

      Network Outside of IT Department and Peers

      by sartre1 ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      I started my career as a Financial Analyst with a BS in Finance and Accounting. Five years later earned a graduate degree in MIS and migrated to IT. I have dealt with the “lazy boss” my entire IT career and have found two very effective solutions: (1) network and make alliances with the end users and business Managers or (2) make the risky leap into the contracting marketplace to ensure you skills remain intact and you don’t become one of them as her breed is on the way out.

      First, the end users and their Manager(s) are generally just as frustrated with this IT Manager and often have long-standing, legitimate grievances. Slowly and strategically make yourself available to them directly, as opposed convertly through your IT Manager taking credit for your work, and you will find they will not only bypass your boss but you will gain the credibility and respect you have earned. Further, in some extreme cases, such as my tenure with America West, a Vice President of Revenue Management (business side) actually recruited me to run their first Oracle data warehousing project, which was a huge success (they offered me Director before I transitioned) because of long-standing grievances with the incompetence of several key IT Managers.

      Second, you have the option of contracting but this is both a riskier career path, although very rewarding, and one that does nothing to cure the old-school disease. Nevertheless, you cannot afford to just get used to it because you will eventually find your technical skills waning as well as your positive attitude. And, considering the new thrust in holding IT departments accountable to the core business in tying business processes to IT projects and applications you cannot afford to lose your technical edge.

      In short, your boss is a fraud and I have worked for dozens of them at companies like Wells Fargo, APS, HDS McKesson, NCS Pearson, Cyclone Commerce, DHL, etc. As a contractor, however, I was able to expose them while I was showing MYSELF the door. However, this is a tough road to travel and one in which the rewards are long term. Yet, I have maintained my expert technical skills and still enjoy what I do…despite some occasional, lingering angst.

      Take heart in that you are right, your boss sucks and is an old-school idiot, and do a search on Dice, Monster, or jobfusion to validate this: even Project Managers and IT Directors are being required to have hands-on technical skills, now. On a final note, don’t look to your peers for support. Many IT professionals are too concerned with a paycheck, now, to embrace the future and ensure they have that paycheck in ten years.

      My email address is sartre1@comcast.net. Please let me know how it goes and figure out who signs the checks on the business/end-user side and make alliances as it is way too politically treacherous to do so on the IT side: there are many of your peers that depend on that boss to keep their inept butts employed, too.

      Ellis R. Miller

    • #2735043

      They’re all the same

      by stress junkie ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      I’m 46 years old and have worked in the industry
      for over twenty years. Most of that time I’ve worked
      as a consultant/temp so I’ve seen the inside of
      about 40 companies, big and small. I can tell you
      with absolute confidence that, to one degree or
      another, they’re all the same. I’m also very
      discouraged about do-nothing managers. I’m
      considering seeking employment as a computer
      operations department manager to see if I could
      do a better job than the people that I’ve worked
      for.

      • #2693050

        Best Reply To Date

        by sartre1 ·

        In reply to They’re all the same

        I am right there with you, G. Ultimately, they are the same yet at this juncture there is a distinct frustration on the business side that has hit a critical mass and, aside from contracting (all full time positions simply delay the abuse or stretch it out) it is a potentially effective strategy yet certainly not a solution and by no means accounts for the injustices you and many others have experienced.

        Nevertheless, enduring some 90 I.Q. bureaucrat allowing them to, potentially, drive you from the industry and a venerable craft is not a healthy or enriching alternative. I have much less experience, of course, yet recognized very early those old-school bosses would like nothing better than a self-defeated talent base to tap at will and outsource at such a time it is convenient and augments their annual bonus. Yet, after calling a few bluffs and walking away from more than several contracts without warning, I also came to recognize they cannot exploit you or even retain their positions without our talent and full compliance…yet they don’t mind if you complain the entire miserable drive to their bank. In fact, when you finally hit “the wall” all the complaining simply validates their long-term strategy of raping you for your skills while simultaneously letting strategic comments slip to friends in HR and peers regarding your bad attitude and lack of loyalty to the organization.

        Business executives are just as flawed and, like your boss, care nothing for the finer points of IT. Yet, any business person employed by almost any Fortune 500 corporation is still required to attain a business degree: an Accounting Manager must have earned a BS in Accounting and, generally, have passed the CPA exam. Thus, the Accounting Manager that talks on the phone all day but cannot distinguish between a debit and a credit is virtually non-existent. This level of standardization and static mechanics makes for a somewhat boring industry, of course, yet there is no such thing as an Accounting “guru” that is hired and expected/exploited to troubleshoot a five-year-old, high-profile, defunct “Balance Sheet” project for 90 hours a week while the other 20 CPA’s eat doughnuts and discuss “family bowling night.” Thus, assuming they have been exposed to your boss or even feel a general sense of frustration with your IT department the middle manager with limited career growth is always looking for that next big win and partnering with an IT talent who takes the intiative to “tie business processes to the technology” (which is all the rage these days) adds a new dimension to the stale Accountant’s resume as well as provides a new angle for that unexpected, high-profile office victory amongst the minions of lost middle managers. In other words, you provide them with the “new and improved” Middle-Manager recognition so highly coveted and they, in return, have been aching since 1998 to terminate that mysterious IT culprit responsible for so many budget variances gone by:
        Accounting, Finance, and even Marketing Managers are not empathetic to IT Managers. In fact, the latter have a horrendous track record of fleecing and duping technically ignorant business executives.

        Thus, I think networking through the business analysts/executives is a safer, potentially effective means to circumvent your boss and avoid any political risks within your own department. Yet, if one truly relishes developing an ulcer/ hypertension while your boss laughs the hours away with an old friend from high school and spend the next couple decades stressing the best hours of your life learning to hate the technology you once loved, as yet another silent, frustrated IT expert that complains and alienates all of their peers and friends, then continue to provide the required expertise to perpetuate that idiot who made the bong in 10th grade “Woods” class and is managing to continue to coast off your intellectual property. In the end, I bet those old school bosses don’t waste any of their time posting messages to blog’s complaining about all the work they aren’t doing…and yet I wonder how they would navigate that next group technical interview in which even IT Directors are now being required to possess hands-on technical skills. In fact, search Dice.com and take notice of the job descriptions for Project Managers, IT Managers, DBA Managers, and even IT Directors. I realize some of these are overstated yet I interviewed for a DBA Manager position this week and found it as technical as interviewing for a DBA contracting gig.

        The true talent (you) owns the intellectual property and most IT Managers or “bosses” lack the technical skill to reserve a conference room via MS Outlook. In the end, we are the talent, we own the cerebral expertise, which cannot, naturally, be owned or possessed just borrowed. And until we recognize their utter ignorance and dependence as well as our (understandable) lack of self-esteem and burnout nothing will ever change and all of us would do well to relax, sling crack, surf for porn, and apply for that new want-ad at the local boiler-room brokerage as in America, unfortunately, nobody likes someone who bitches even when you are absolutely correct and justified and, in my opinion, most all of you have earned the right. Nevertheless, to paraphrase Patton, don’t lose with dignity let the old school boss be the one to lose with dignity. Go out their and win and spend some time creatively transferring some stress.

        “As long as the world shall last there will be wrongs, and if no man objected and no man rebelled, those wrongs would last forever.”

        Clarence S. Darrow

    • #2735040

      Document Document Document

      by forresto ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      Document everything. Write in a personal journal that is specific to work. DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING IN THIS JOURNAL THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO SHARE IN PUBLIC IF NEEDED. The journal will become a leagel document in court if it ever comes to that. do not store your document on corporate equipment either. Use a personal journal.

    • #2735030

      Be Assertive!

      by rob ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      What is your relationship with your boss? I possible have a one on one with her and give her praise (Somebody obviously thought highly of her at one point!). Once you butter her up tell her that you’re concerned by her lack of interest in managing the dept – You need her leadership. She obviously is bored with her job and needs to be challenged so you can either quit, do as she does (as she will have to answer to her superiors – not you) or do nothing. There is no guarantee your job is safe even if you’ve documented all of her errors.

    • #2735021

      Do support; do document

      by marar ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      My suggestion is to do a bit of all.

      She is acting like this probably since she is new to management and thinks this is the expectations :-). May be you should talk to her in a good way about ways to solve the problems. If she is a brilliant person otherwise, she will understand that what she is doing is a mistake and is hurting others. And hopefully, she will change her ways.

      In the meantime, do your homework and document all the approvals and rejections and other project related updates. In case, she doesn’t change, you always have the backup.

    • #2735013

      Shame

      by thebooch ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      I was in a situation like this, working for an incompetent manager and when it came time for layoffs most of my department went including me becuase of his longstanding ineptness.
      Its really a shame when there are so many competent managers out there who are out of work and whose job went oversees. Its insult to injury…do your best to get her fired and move yourself up the ladder or open a postion for someone who overachieve and make your who department proud.

    • #2735008

      Make her look better than she is!

      by notquiteright ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      If it’s a large enough organization you may try to make her look so good that she will get promoted out to other duties. This usually works well in government orgs. Once in her new position, she will hang herself soon enough. In the meantime, you played the office politics game well and you are seen as a socially competent person as well as technically competent. It should work to your advantage if you play this well.

    • #2735004

      Be the best

      by lalalulu ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      Incompetent management calls for the special skill of being the best that you can be. Make your own judgements; keep your own council. Do not participate in any action which harms your boss. Do the best for your business. Be bigger than your problem. In the end jobs come and go; managers come and go – but you have to live with yourself. I have never been in a business which cannot make a distinction between talent and backbiting. Eventually.

    • #2735002

      Bide your time !!

      by philreynolds ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      Hey Dave:

      I hear your pain; I was in the same situation six months ago with a manager who was all that and a bag of crap!! So my advise is to just bide your time and give them enough rope to hang themselves with. It won’t take long before people see its all smoke and mirrors and send them packing.

    • #2734997

      The Peter Principle Applies

      by mgordon ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      I recommend reading “The Peter Principle” by Dr. Lawrence Peter. It is a thin book; and sums into these words “all men rise to the level of their incompetence.” It speaks to an era that is not always relevant but the forces are still applicable. What happens is that a person that is competent will be promoted. Eventually the person will be promoted to a place where he or she is no longer competent. But will she be put back to her most recent competency? Usually not. Dr. Peter believes it takes about ten years before every echelon except the new employees and the CEO (who cannot be promoted) become incompetent. The result in many cases is the company itself is replaced, not just the manager. His example is UPS (United Parcel Service) versus the fossilized postal service. Corrolaries to the principle include such gems as your supervisor is your enemy but HIS (or her) supervisor is your friend. That is, your next promotion is to take your supervisor’s job. If you are better than your supervisor, it will please the NEXT echelon to put you there but it will not please your supervisor.
      Now then, in our technical world things are a wee bit different. I do many things — graphic arts, photography, computer programming, and help desk. So guess what I do mostly? Yes, help desk, because it is amazingly tedious, requires extremely nimble thinking and excellent communication skills. Could I be a manager? Sure, but who is going to talk to customers? The fact is, sometimes a company, especially smaller ones, hire friends ‘n family (nepotism) and if they cannot program a computer, cannot sit at the help desk, don’t even come to work reliably — what is the one position suited to such a person? You got it, management! Provided, of course, that the staff is self-directed and doesn’t really need management in the first place. Jack be nimble, Jack be quick — helpdesk positions are leaving this nation but internal corporate helpdesks are a pretty good source of face time.
      What can you do about it? Probably nothing. The NEXT echelon up should be made aware of it in a nonthreatening way; ensure that you get “face time” especially in a technical world where hardly anyone knows what you do anyway. Being seen by the boss, nicely dressed and helping a customer for ten seconds is worth more than a month in a cubicle working on the Next Big Thing.
      The Big Boss surely knows that little bosses are not actually doing the work; but the Big Boss is not a mind reader and should not skip the chain of command anyway. So get some face time. If you cannot get face time, YOUR days are numbered and the number is inversely proportional to your skill (ie, threat to your boss). A lazy manager gets that way by using survival skills; you should learn some of those skills (name dropping, face time, appreciating jokes but beware getting sucked into inappropriate games by a skilled provocateur).

    • #2734973

      Welcome to management.

      by oz_media ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      Don’t worry, given time she will be held accountable and it will come around, it ALWAYS does. I’ve seen people get away with it for years and are completely stunned when let go.

      Welcome to management, get used to it, you cannot change it nor is it your place to do so.

      IF you feel that you are not able to do YOUR job because of her, then YOUR failure will be reflected on her, not you.

      OM

    • #2734939

      get a clue

      by adkins1218 ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      I feel your pain,I went thru 5 assistant plant managers and 5 plant managers in 11 years at the same company and out of all of them only 1 was both technically comptent and had the people skills to get the best out of his employees.Look it’s easy,go back to school,open your own company then YOU are the boss.You probably don’t work rotating shiftwork so you have nights,weekends,holidays off(read:work 8,sleep 8,party 8)also you most likely have a sit down job,a\c in the office ect: Quit whining.Do you really think a new outlook twords the boss now really would be believed? More importaintly, could you look yourself in the mirror?
      I think the best thing would be to a)Look for another job. and b)Prepare to open your own business.This might mean distance or local college degree’s,get published in the field you are in,but quit whining and get off your butt and make a change to improve your situation.In the meantime,suffer in silence,keep a smile on your face,do the best job you can and create change to put yourself on a path to a better future,only you can make it happen.

    • #2734938

      Same story here…

      by mark11727 ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      …actually not entirely. I’ve had several bosses here over the last ten years, and each has his/her own way about them. Most openly give credit where credit is due, and one tends to include himself in the telling (as in “WE worked really hard to get this out” when in reality I did all the getting out myownself). All of them acknowlege me as the “go-to” guy, and as such, I usually get the “weird” projects, that either nobody else wants or knows how to handle. This has also earned me some flexabilty, allowing me to design and tweak as I see the need (although I’ve also been dinged during review time for sometimes thinking *too* outside the box.

      Getting back to your own problem, I worked for a short while in a small software shop (long since closed), and one co-worker, who could never quite get it together, always came around asking technical questions… after a while, this person was going to be promoted (and become my supervisor) and I knew what a disaster this would be in the long run, so I left (there were other issues with this place).

      Years later, a colleague told be that the Peter Principle eventually bit this person, but hard, and I knew it was for the best.

    • #2734929

      Challenge your manager

      by chrisjohl ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      I find that the only way to deal with any personal problem is to discuss the matter with the person, if possible with a mediator. The manager must know your feelings and must know that she is being watched in terms of her knowledge and sources. It appears that you are not happy with your manager for reasons tat are valid and evident to all those around you, except her manager. If she has been entrusted with this post due to nepotism then you have an added dimension of complexity to your problem. If you can get the department to participate in an excercise to monitor performance, then the performance of your manager can be monitored by all subordinates to let her know how she is accepted as a manager.

      • #3368381

        Careful there

        by jamesrl ·

        In reply to Challenge your manager

        This could be a good way to get fired.

        For this to be successful it has to be framed in such a way that you look like you can help the manager acheive a win-win – she gets something and you get something. If you challenge in a non-constructive way, you will be seen as insubordinate and thats very dangerous.

        Subordinates don’t get to “pick” their manager.

        James

      • #3368172

        Keep him/her on his toas

        by ahafez1 ·

        In reply to Challenge your manager

        If you realy like working in this organization, the feed your manager half the info. he needs, this will make him come back to you and start learning, or will expose him to his coleags.
        Otherwise, dont waist your time.

    • #3368224

      The Unibomber documented

      by raelayne ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      Documentation will do you absolutely no good, so don’t waste your time with it. Sure, this is how it will play out: they’ll come to fire you, you’ll say, “But wait; I have documentation that shows it was my manager who was screwing up.” They’ll say “Oh, now we see. We’ll fire her instead.”

      Has that ever happened anywhere other than daytime tv? More likely they’ll decide you’re a nut case, and pat themselves on the back for making the right decision about terminating you. Document if what you want is a private journal you can read alone at home each night to feed your bitterness. Act if what you want is to turn the situation around.

      • #3368150

        Yesss!!!

        by gamboge ·

        In reply to The Unibomber documented

        I am always nonplussed when people advise creating paper trails of malfeasance…I used to diligently do this, and then discovered to my horror that all that work is useless when push comes to shove. No one is interested in reading it if things blow up, and handing it around before that makes you look like a conspiring freak. The only possible benefit I can imagine is that if your manager knows you’re writing everything down and she’s the paranoid type, perhaps you can give her the subtle impression that someone higher up has asked you to do so…if she thinks someone up the food chain is out to get her she just might go find another job.On the other hand, she might just lash out at whomever is closest…

    • #3368179

      Do You Really Want To Do This?

      by thegreek ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      Tired of the game? Make sure she doesn’t get any information. If that comes back to you, be sure to tell HER superiors the truth. If she’s the head honcho, you need to be looking for a job elsewhere, because this isn’t the only place on earth for an IT Professional to work. Let her dig her own grave. Mark Twain once said that it is better to keep your mouth closed and let others think you’re a fool than to open it and remove all doubt. The best way is the truth. If they can’t handle that, you need a change.

    • #2693156

      Motives

      by jrjs ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      You may well be right but I shouldn’t think that is all of it – you find managers taking credit for their deptt.’s work all over! Sensible people do not give the credit to the manager, however.

      Only fools give credit to a manager for the work of their deppt. Part of a manager’s job is to get the work done by the deppt. If the job is done well, the deppt. gets the credit for the work – the manager gets credit for managing effectively.

      Of course, some places have too many fools and not enough sensible folks ;-}

    • #3366413

      Management supports their own managers

      by erwin5w ·

      In reply to How to Deal With a Lazy Manager

      Management always support their managers, right or wrong. Most likely, they know about your manager’s habits.
      If you choose to expose this manager, be prepare to get the layoff notice on the next round. Management do not like to have someone tell them that they made a BIG mistake hiring this manager. Management will handle their OWN mistakes THEIR way.

      Recommendation: Look at your job and determine what you need to move forward in your career. Learn what you need, including training, knowledge, skills, politics, etc.. No one last forever in their jobs. People move on, including you and your boss. We all move on with our lives. Look at the positive and plan your escape to a BETTER place. Start planning NOW! When you come to work, SMILE, because you have a plan to moving on to a better job/career/life….etc., and you are using their resource/information/training to do it!! Remember to smile and be happy EVERYDAY!!

      • #3367867

        You are not alone!!!!!!!

        by double-down ·

        In reply to Management supports their own managers

        I have the same problem, and it is very depressing for someone like me, who is self motivated, and takes his job serious to be in a
        department where the rotten manager has infected half of the staff.
        I’m talking, rampid, negligent, lazy, behavior.
        ALL o.k’d by the boss.
        Oh,… things like Sleeping on the job, coming in late in short pants and flip flops, bad attitude…with the starbucks, like you are on vacation or something!!
        The problem I have is, this type of behavior fosters a slack work ethic and leads to major mistakes….and I am an airline mechanic!!
        How does that make you feel about flying????
        The problem is compounded, when the supervisor is under the desk with a sleeping bag….I mean What the Fu**???
        The boss doesn’t want to make waves, so the kids can sit there and rub crap on their faces if they want. Sleep, screw off, smoke pot?? hey, who cares?
        One guy even went home on company time and drywalled his garage!!!!!!!????
        What the Fu******???????
        Am I missing something here???
        I am ex-military and they look at me like I am a problem because I am always finding something to do, and don’t partake in their party.
        What the hell do I do???
        My worry is if corporate finds out, they will fire the whole damn station….
        Do I get out before the roof collapses??

        • #3366356

          And I thought I had it Bad

          by d_bones ·

          In reply to You are not alone!!!!!!!

          As a lot of people have replied to me. It’s a paycheck. I think if you really like the job, stick with it and see. If not it’s time to go and seek your fortunes elsewhere. Good luck.

Viewing 60 reply threads