Boss Advice

[Lazerblade]

Howdy all.

Figured I'd post this here since most of you have jobs where you've had to deal with a boss that was a little "different".

Setting: You just got a new job. You're still in your 90-day "probation" period. Since starting your new job, you've seen 3 people "leave" (one came back, but only because the hiring process wasn't working out). The two that remain gone were both in your department. It's obvious that the company needs your department since it is one of the primary and largest forms of income for the company (in this case, web design/development for an ISP).

Situation: You've begun to notice things. Your boss seems paranoid about company "secrets" (information concerning actual clients and their needs, access to servers, etc..., NOT software code or anything that has any black market value). You know for a fact that he's gone through "personal" information of at least one employee that has "left". He's asked about your personal binder (notebook) and what you keep in it. You overheard him talking with another supervisor about checking computer logs. You have no idea if the ex-employee actually did anything wrong. You didn't see anything that might have been construed as a shady action.

Problem: I'm in this situation, and I have no idea how to handle it. I'm the last web developer in the department. I'm sure at least one of the other employees there is capable of doing most of what I'm able to do, but I'm not sure if any ONE of them is capable of doing everything I currently do. I feel like I should be cautious yet I also feel like if I don't actively show that I'm striving to do my best and work without constant guidance then I'll be considered either secretive or lazy- neither of which is true. I've taken information home before but not for personal gain- I keep notes of things I can't possibly memorize and rather than leave them where they could be thrown out by a cleaning personnel or left where others can see it, I kept such info in my binder. Due to recent events, I had to remove that info from my binder and rely on others to provide me with any info I might lose. It doesn't help that I just switched computers so any info I had saved on my old system is now stuck there.

Suggestions?

[Zazoo]

Have you tried talking to your boss about it? Being upfront and honest (but not confrontational) might go a long way in calming him down. You know you aren't stealing client information, so show him your notebook and explain that the info in there is just to help you do your job better and nothing more. If he can't be reasonable about that then you really have only three options I can see: Find a new job, go to his boss and hope that makes things better (and not worse as is often the case), or just learn to deal with him. Whatever the case, if he starts prying into your personal life that's definite grounds to see your companies HR department (assuming your company has one) to file a formal complaint.

Or you could just tell him to chill the f*ck out and then punch him in the throat.
~Mike

[Da Fish]

Just to add to Mikes little advice, try and get any conversation you have with him (or infact anyone at work!) in writing. if you have a verbal conversation with him just send him an email out lining what was said, as you understand it, and have him make any alterations to your interpretation. For two reasons:
It backs you up legally (if its not written down, it didn't happen!).
It allows both you and your boss time to think about things before any changes actually take place.

If this was the UK, I'd also suggest having a word with your trade union, but I understand unions work a little differently over the pond.

Quite frankly if I knew my boss was prying into my home life beyond what is normally acceptable, I would be looking for a new job for a swift exit.

Infact, if anything, keep an eye out for any jobs just in case. just because you receive interview invites doesn't mean to say you have to take the new job!

[Lazerblade]

Guess I should have been a little more informative. My boss is co-owner and the owner's son. The company is only a total of 15-20 people. I'm not even sure who does the HR stuff. I was interviewed by 2 people- my boss and my supervisor. But my employee handbook stuff and signing of papers was done with someone else. It's a nice little company with everyone working together. I'm just not sure where the trust level is. As it stands, I doubt I'll trust anyone there for fear of losing my job before I'm ready to move on.

[achilles118]

the other guys have great sugestions but I would rob the toilet paper out the bathroom and slip some exlax in his coffee. It may not make him trust you but at least he'll know who the real boss is.

seriously though;
the only thing that I could sugest is watch your mannerisms. perception is everything so if you look sly and shady your are. make an effort to give a confident positive presence at work it will go along way.


p.s. leave a signed note on his desk that says "all your cologn are belong to me"