Woggle Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 Right now I am in charge of this project and a major mistake was made. I asked my boss how the board of directors wanted it done and I did everything according to how he said it. Well the board of directors raises a fuss and he blames the entire thing on me. I did nothing except follow the directions I was given and now I am taking the blame for his screw up. I am so angry right now that I could strangle him. Just needed to vent this. Link to post Share on other sites
RecordProducer Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 Right now I am in charge of this project and a major mistake was made. I asked my boss how the board of directors wanted it done and I did everything according to how he said it. Well the board of directors raises a fuss and he blames the entire thing on me. I did nothing except follow the directions I was given and now I am taking the blame for his screw up. I am so angry right now that I could strangle him. Just needed to vent this. Look, people will always try to blame someone else for their mistakes and in this case it's YOU that's convenient for blaming. If you can't explain to your boss that it's NOT your fault in a nice way or you tired but they won't listen, the best you can do is get over it and keep being an honorable and conscientious worker in the future. They know what you know... they are just having a hard time admitting it to themselves. Relax, it's just work. Link to post Share on other sites
johan Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 If you're in charge, there must be people who work for you who you can blame. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Woggle Posted September 22, 2006 Author Share Posted September 22, 2006 If you're in charge, there must be people who work for you who you can blame. That is true but I have scruples. Link to post Share on other sites
mental_traveller Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 Just go over his head and supply proof that i) you carried out your job professionally without major errors, and ii) your boss lied about it. Any competent board will accept this and at the very least, not blame you (you might even be able to get your boss fired and take his position). If you aren't able to supply proof, then learn your lesson and next time make sure you have it and start collecting it from day 1. In business you should always assume that everyone you meet is going to lie, cheat, and steal from you. Link to post Share on other sites
RecordProducer Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 If you're in charge, there must be people who work for you who you can blame. Hahah! But they can always say: "You were responsible for their actions!" So it's not a good method. Woggle reported directly to the board of directors so he can only blame THEM. Link to post Share on other sites
superconductor Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 Wog, this kind of stuff is standard operating procedure in lots of organizations. It's far easier to lay blame than it is to take responsibility. So suck it up and do the best job you can. You know in your heart that you did the right thing, and if your boss can't (or won't) see it, that's his/her problem, not yours. You may want to consider polishing your resume. Link to post Share on other sites
kjl933 Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 Just go over his head and supply proof that i) you carried out your job professionally without major errors, and ii) your boss lied about it. Any competent board will accept this and at the very least, not blame you (you might even be able to get your boss fired and take his position). This is horrible advice unless you already have a job lined up. Going over your bosses head to the Board--regardless of the outcome--will alienate your boss and you WILL lose your job if it does not go your way. No one likes a narc. Your option (if you want to remain here) is to suck it up. But, I would go to the boss and have a pow wow with him and ask him to specifically show you where you screwed up. Tell him that you thought you followed his directions to the letter and want to prevent further embarassment to him and yourself for the future. At least this way, he knows you know, it gives him an aopportunity to either apologize or explain. WHo know, maybe the direction from the Board was ill explained or changed. Maybe he needs to go to the Board and have the same speech. But as Superconductor said--unfortunately, it is SOP in a lot of companies--big or small. Link to post Share on other sites
lindya Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 Right now I am in charge of this project and a major mistake was made. I asked my boss how the board of directors wanted it done and I did everything according to how he said it. Well the board of directors raises a fuss and he blames the entire thing on me. I did nothing except follow the directions I was given and now I am taking the blame for his screw up. I am so angry right now that I could strangle him. Just needed to vent this. This incident has given you one black mark against you - ie the fact that a project you were in charge of went wrong. Your boss, meantime, has scored two black marks against him. One for having overall responsibility for a project that went wrong, and another for passing the buck onto an underling and therefore making himself look like a poor leader who can't handle responsibility. No need to labour the point with the board; they'll have noticed, and if I were you I'd concentrate on identifying the factors which caused this problem to go wrong....so that you and your boss can learn some practical lessons from it. My guess would be that some of it was be the board's fault, some of it your boss's and some of it yours, but blame games and apportionment are a waste of time and energy. It happened - and the important thing is to figure out how to stop similar blunders from occurring in the future From what you said, there's been some kind of break in the chain of communication. Your boss gathered information from the board about what they wanted. He passed this information to you, you began the project...but for whatever reason the board ended up not getting what they asked for. Might it not have been better if, as project leader, you'd attended the board meeting where the decisions about the project were made - rather than trying to work with second hand information? Is there any reason why you can't attend meetings like that? Link to post Share on other sites
Ariadne Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 Hi, I did nothing except follow the directions I was given and now I am taking the blame for his screw up. I wouldn't work for that man anymore. He is not honest. I'd look for another position. Ariadne Link to post Share on other sites
magichands Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 This incident has given you one black mark against you - ie the fact that a project you were in charge of went wrong. Your boss, meantime, has scored two black marks against him. One for having overall responsibility for a project that went wrong, and another for passing the buck onto an underling and therefore making himself look like a poor leader who can't handle responsibility. I think this is a great (and absolutely faithful) way of looking at this situation. It's time, my dear Woggle, to put all the things you have learned from romantic relationships (my tongue is stuck in my cheek...ah, that's better now) to good use in the workplace. Tell your boss he has your unconditional support - and that you love him (platonically, of course). He'll probably break down on the spot. If you see any hint of tears welling in his eyes, then this might be the perfect time to move in for a hug. Make it quick. Communication is key. See yourself as part of a team. (Romantic or otherwise.) Anyway, I really don't know why I am waffling on so much - or even at all!? - because I just wanted to say... I agree with everything lindya said. Link to post Share on other sites
pricillia Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 If you're in charge, there must be people who work for you who you can blame. nice... LOL Link to post Share on other sites
will2power Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 Right now I am in charge of this project and a major mistake was made. I asked my boss how the board of directors wanted it done and I did everything according to how he said it. Well the board of directors raises a fuss and he blames the entire thing on me. I did nothing except follow the directions I was given and now I am taking the blame for his screw up. I am so angry right now that I could strangle him. Just needed to vent this. Just playing devil's advocate, but after you asked your boss for an opinion of what should be done, did you agree with his 'directions'? You indicated that you are in charge of this project, where is your ownership in the mistake that's been made? My PM have 'given' me directions in the past. After analysing, I've come to the conclusion that his directions are not 100% correct. I ended up doing what I saw was best for my piece of the project. He didn't like that I didn't agree with him and he was right on one part, but wrong on another. In the end though, it was my part of the project and regardless of how anyone tells me to do things, its up do me to decide whether or not the course of action is correct. In terms of your boss, I would suggest sending him a very courteous and professional email indicating that you are a little hurt that he didn't stand behind you on the work that's been done. If you feel uncomfortable doing so, make sure next time you send HIM an email before proceeding with his direction starting off with something like, "Pursuant to our discussion, the following actions will take place for this project....." and end the email with, "do you agree with this process and direction". If you are still concerned, copy one of the BOD on the email. This kind of thing happens all the time. People make mistakes and fusses. I'm currently dealing with a situation like that as well and have told my PM that if the customer does not like the item, they could have refrained from putting it out on the open market. We do UAT to get customer agreement in the first place so if there were any complaints, there would have been a 5 week period where they could have raised concerns. Besides, one product may not suit every customer's need. If customization is required, the customer should raise the issue and pay for such customization. If they Response from manager... "you have a good point". Link to post Share on other sites
scrybe74 Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 Listen Woggle...it's real simple. NOW that you know what kind of person you're working with, keep meticulous notes when it's something important. Or ask you boss to confirm what he/she wants you to do via email...that way you have it in writing. If he/she blames you in the future simply print the email out and hand it to him/her. Link to post Share on other sites
mental_traveller Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 This is horrible advice unless you already have a job lined up. Going over your bosses head to the Board--regardless of the outcome--will alienate your boss and you WILL lose your job if it does not go your way. No one likes a narc. That's not been my experience. Each time I've seen this thing happen, the boss either got fired or lost significant credibility, and the more junior employee was given credit for the work they did, and in one case he took the boss's job. Then again, experiences differ. Perhaps you could describe the cases you saw? Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 That's not been my experience. Each time I've seen this thing happen, the boss either got fired or lost significant credibility, and the more junior employee was given credit for the work they did, and in one case he took the boss's job. I think you're delusional. That never happens. Link to post Share on other sites
magichands Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 I think you're delusional. That never happens. Haha! At least not in Guest land, where nobody has to take responsibility for their words (or actions). Link to post Share on other sites
Art_Critic Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 That's not been my experience. Each time I've seen this thing happen, the boss either got fired or lost significant credibility, and the more junior employee was given credit for the work they did, and in one case he took the boss's job. Then again, experiences differ. Perhaps you could describe the cases you saw? I agree with kjl933..and Guest.. going over the bosses head is NEVER a good idea.. Unless of course you're are speaking of a boss that really has no authority to begin with.. but most bosses do have authority.. hence the term Boss.. Now going TO the boss would be something that I would think would be appropriate.. Nothing wrong with talking about an issue with your employer that is bothering you and in the end could make you wind up leaving a company.. Why not resolve the issue instead of trying to start up crap Now.. time for me to get back to work Link to post Share on other sites
magichands Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 Why not resolve the issue instead of trying to start up crap Art rules. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 My boss blames me for everything - if an overnight package doesn't get to where it's supposed to be he uses the "My secretary must have got it out late"...... He even jokes saying "I made you the bad guy". I say "As long as you pay me - do whatever you want!". He's the boss and people see right thru it. Eventually others catch on - most people know I do all the work anyway. Best bet is to let karma play out - what comes around goes around. Blaming others only makes your boss feel better - doesn't make him look better. Link to post Share on other sites
alphamale Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 Why not resolve the issue instead of trying to start up crap I think the resolution lies with that woman WOGGLE is married to. She has made him soft and his brain is like jello Link to post Share on other sites
NearlyThere Posted October 2, 2006 Share Posted October 2, 2006 Since working in a software support environment which involves various people at various levels asking me to change data, software, procedures or projects, I ask them to email me, I then have it in writing as proof. I call this my CYA form, Cover My Ass. No CYA, nothing happens, I then send a gentle email reminder saying that I am still waiting for my email and what the email was for. It has come in handy numerous times believe me. Link to post Share on other sites
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