How to deal with others doing your job?

[Davek0974]

Hi all,

bit of detail...

I am officially the 'IT' guy where i work, i am paid slightly more than the other managers because i have to deal with more crap and know more about IT stuff. I have been doing this for many years now, hierarchy in company is :- brother=director, sis in law is a manager, brothers sis in law is a manger (her son also works in her dept), i am a manager.

This morning i see brothers sis in law, bringing back an old PC and drops it off on the heap outside my office. Pops head in office and says "its an old pc that her son raided to fix a pc in the office". Now, seeing as how I am the IT guy, where does she get off going over my head and letting her son do my job?? This is not the first instance and it is beginning to feel like i am being gradually diminished in my responsibilities. The other thing is that when said pc goes wrong, who gets called? ME that's who, but now I don't know what work he has done on it etc. I have records of exactly how each of my machines is set-up, they don't.

Just feeling a bit vexed and not sure how to handle this one due to the family connections. Any ideas?

 

[Psl]

Hi all,

bit of detail...

I am officially the 'IT' guy where i work, i am paid slightly more than the other managers because i have to deal with more crap and know more about IT stuff. I have been doing this for many years now, hierarchy in company is :- brother=director, sis in law is a manager, brothers sis in law is a manger (her son also works in her dept), i am a manager.

This morning i see brothers sis in law, bringing back an old PC and drops it off on the heap outside my office. Pops head in office and says "its an old pc that her son raided to fix a pc in the office". Now, seeing as how I am the IT guy, where does she get off going over my head and letting her son do my job?? This is not the first instance and it is beginning to feel like i am being gradually diminished in my responsibilities. The other thing is that when said pc goes wrong, who gets called? ME that's who, but now I don't know what work he has done on it etc. I have records of exactly how each of my machines is set-up, they don't.

Just feeling a bit vexed and not sure how to handle this one due to the family connections. Any ideas?

Don't get any of them a Christmas present

Seriously though, families and business CYA- cover your ass.
Ask what has been fixed,with what parts etc etc and log it. When the said PC goes TU take it and plonk on 'brothers sis-in-law's' desk and say " get your lad to sort that will you".
Finally polish up your CV.

 

[arfurd]

Have you tried asking? Maybe they don't realize how this is affecting you.

One of the biggest problems in any company is communication.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

I'm not too sure what you are asking.

 

[Davek0974]

I guess i am just looking for a direction, do i stonk into bosses office and tell him im pissed off, go into office and tell her im pissed off, ask if they are trying to make me leave, another way?.

I know its difficult to give advice because no one knows the whole set-up here, but i think is really not on. I know she would be pissed if i stepped in and started doing her job.

 

[arfurd]

The thing is if you don't ask questions, you'll have no answers!

No don't march in like you're on a mission, just ask if you can talk you'll find once you have made the initial approach everything will be answered. You may not like all of the answers but don't just do nothing.

Let's just say they are replacing you or getting others to do you're job therefore making you redundant.

What have you got to lose in asking? Go in the office in the right frame of mind, i.e. NOT bad tempered or angry.

 

[jakef78]

It's simple, you need to tell her that your in charge of all the stuff to do with computers, and what not. Tell her that if it goes wrong then you have to fix it, or you'll get blamed for it.

Im sensing that your just vexing though lol.

 

[Mustaka]

I would say do a bit of growing up is your answer.

 

[Davek0974]

I would say do a bit of growing up is your answer.

Thanks for your intuitive and intelligent answer there. Maybe when you grow up and reach my age where jobs are not the thing you want to be losing and then find people bypassing you to give your work to someone else without your knowing then you can give more sensible answers, until then if you have nothing sensible to say like the other replies i have had, please don't bother chiming in.

 

[Mustaka]

If you really need me to walk you through it I will will....

1. Order the part that was replaced using a non company owned computer.

2. Place new part into the affected computer.

3. Non Company owned part is replaced back into non company owned computer.

4. Tell person who did the replacement that you thank them for their efforts but in the future please go through you as you have to maintain records as part of your job.

5. Heap now working non company owned computer back on owners chair/desk in door way to concluded the issue.

6. Continue with now stress free day.

 

[Banned]

Thanks for your intuitive and intelligent answer there. Maybe when you grow up and reach my age where jobs are not the thing you want to be losing and then find people bypassing you to give your work to someone else without your knowing then you can give more sensible answers, until then if you have nothing sensible to say like the other replies i have had, please don't bother chiming in.

If your really worried about your job why are you considering rocking the boat and spending time on the internet rather than working?

If I were you I would keep my head down and get the work done in a timely and professional manner.

 

[Davek0974]

Obviously you are not me. My job entails spending many hours on the 'net each day, as well as many other things, all of which i am the only one here capable of doing. The fact that i can use this great forum during breaks is a bonus, it has helped me and the company out in the past.

I am not 'rocking the boat', just sticking up for my own job, I can't see any reason that I should just keep my head under the radar and let everyone walk over me, I'm no fecking doormat, I'm a senior manager not a cleaner. Any 'my' work is always done on or usually before time as it has been for the last 20+ years i have been here.

As has been mentioned before, communication is the failure here, and that is what i am going on.

 

[dynamic08]

If you was working for me I'd have to put you in your place! However if you had quiet word in my ear about your concerns then I would see this as a plus point!

 

[Banned]

I'm no fecking doormat, I'm a senior manager not a cleaner.

There's you problem, well it is from my point of view as an employer.

 

[Davek0974]

There's you problem, well it is from my point of view as an employer.

So you only employ subserviant, mindless droids then???

 

[Davek0974]

If you was working for me I'd have to put you in your place!

And why would that be?

However if you had quiet word in my ear about your concerns then I would see this as a plus point!

This is exactly what i am doing later today, afternoons are always less stressed out and i will be politely raising the point. Do not forget that my boss and the company director is also my brother, this can work both ways as it not only makes the feeling worse when stuff like this happens but also makes approaching the problem somewhat easier.

 

[dynamic08]

Your brother then I suspect your job will be safe!

Why would I put you in your place because your acting childish on a forum we are all adults a quiet word is all that is needed!

 

[Banned]

So you only employ subserviant, mindless droids then???

No, but I don't employ arrogant people who think certain jobs and people are beneath them. Which is how you have come across with comments like "I'm no fecking doormat, I'm a senior manager not a cleaner"

 

[Davek0974]

we are all adults a quiet word is all that is needed!

Then that is all the advice that was needed, thank you.

 

[Davek0974]

No, but I don't employ arrogant people who think certain jobs and people are beneath them. Which is how you have come across with comments like "I'm no fecking doormat, I'm a senior manager not a cleaner"

That is NOT how it was meant to come across as, bad choice of words.:redface:

 

[RickieSee]

Chances are your brother isn't going to fire you.

Don't get mad, and voice your concern in an adult way.

I mean, he's your brother. Surely it's easy to speak to him?

Something along the lines of you appreciate that someone else is helping, however you need to do the tasks you are alotted because it helps with efficiency, record keeping etc.

 

[estwig]

Chances are your brother isn't going to fire you.

I mean, he's your brother. Surely it's easy to speak to him?

Don't bet on it, sacked my brother years ago, d*ck head was a pain in the a*rse!

Still luv him though, most of the time!

 

[Davek0974]

I would reread the opening post

No need, the OP was written (as stated on the last line) with a hint of 'red mist'. It has since been reduced to a lack of communication which is rife at present and no amount of managerial meetings or requests seem to be able to get it flowing again.

 

[Davek0974]

Don't bet on it, sacked my brother years ago, d*ck head was a pain in the a*rse!

Still luv him though, most of the time!

Although sacking is not the point here, i can guarantee that no-one here is un-sackable.

Look at it another way, my son works here too, this case is akin to my getting him to do some of the other managers work without asking them first.

Ok, no serious damage done possibly, BUT and thats a big BUT, I wouldnt do it due to manners, etiquette, business structure etc, its just not on to do this sort of thing when there are roles given and procedures to follow.

 

[patientlady]

Seems to me that there is lot more to this than a one PC dumped outside the office. Time to just have family chat , but definately not today!

 

[Banned]

I guarantee I'm unsackable as are most others here, then again I could always try sacking myself and claiming unfair dismissal

Unless you consider the line between self-employed and un-employed can often be a very narrow one

 

[Banned]

As the great business mind, Delboy once said "I'm self unemployed"

Cheers, made me chuckle

 

[Montaigne]

Although sacking is not the point here, i can guarantee that no-one here is un-sackable.

Look at it another way, my son works here too, this case is akin to my getting him to do some of the other managers work without asking them first.

Ok, no serious damage done possibly, BUT and thats a big BUT, I wouldnt do it due to manners, etiquette, business structure etc, its just not on to do this sort of thing when there are roles given and procedures to follow.

I think all the business owners on here should consider their reaction if one of their admin assistants decided to unilaterally decide to make a couple of their decisions for them rather than actually put the call through to you

OP, doing anything pissed off is never a good idea

 

[crphillips]

I think the OP is getting a bit of an unnecessarily hard time for asking for advice.

It sounds as though there's probably more than meets the eye and it is probably a final straw kind of situation. Just talk about it with the people involved and voice your concerns in a calm and open minded manor.

 

[Davek0974]

I think the OP is getting a bit of an unnecessarily hard time for asking for advice.

.

I'm so glad someone mentioned that, thought I was going mad for a little while there. I didn't think I was being that obtuse when I first posted. Being told to 'grow up' makes my blood boil, I'm 50 next year not 16!

Thanks to those that offered sensible and observant answers anyway

 

[Montaigne]

It's the nature of public forums sadly.

 

[Davek0974]

It's the nature of public forums sadly.

Dont worry about it, its all just words from people you dont know at the end of the day. Also only you know the while situation and only you will know if its best to open your mouth or keep quiet

No worries, i know how it works out here in the public domain It was a bit odd though.

Anyway, we have had a chat and i have requested more communication in future on all matters as this seems to be the point where things can go wrong.

Time will tell if it worked or not.

Dave

 

[Mustaka]

I think the OP got the hardtime he deserved. As he has stated he is 50 and a senior manager and as such should by this time in his career know how to deal with as desribed, a minor management issue. If you post about being a senior manager and you are coming across as a petulant child you are going to get flack.

There are so many better ways than ranting on a public forum about solving a trivial issue. If one of my senior managers came to me with such a trivial issue i would show him/her the door.

However lets see if the OP will post how he handled it and what came of it.

 

[Banned]

However lets see if the OP will post how he handled it and what came of it.

He has, post above yours.

I do agree he came across badly in places, but he also admitted he could maybe have worded certain phrases better and was suffering with the old red mist.

And also keep in mind that as employers most of us here probably get on the defensive when disgruntled employees start moaning about their employer.

 

[Montaigne]

Everyone's allowed to get hacked off once in a while? I see no issue with blowing off a bit of steam in a forum whilst asking fro a bit of advice at the same time. The OP has not behaved like this in work, by the sounds of it he's behaved very professionally plus it's not like he's named his firm in order to drag their rep' through the mud publicly.

 

[internetspaceships]

Ok then. Levelled advice.

Dave, go have that quiet word and tell them how they are making you feel.

In a quiet, polite, but straightforward way.

It might be that they really don't even realise how you're feeling, and this might change things for the better.

Hope that helps.

Jon

 

[Montaigne]

Ok then. Levelled advice.

I like this new you

 

[internetspaceships]

I like this new you

Thank me for my post, then do hush up or I'll have to slap you

 

[Davek0974]

Ok then. Levelled advice.

Dave, go have that quiet word and tell them how they are making you feel.

In a quiet, polite, but straightforward way.

It might be that they really don't even realise how you're feeling, and this might change things for the better.

Hope that helps.

Jon

As mentioned above, it has already been done. It was done in a calm and orderly manner, i just mentioned how i felt the situation was a bit odd as i presumed it was my task to do the required repairs. Result was that it was not thought through at the time and i even got some way to a mild apology I requested more communication in matters regarding each managers specified roles/tasks and that was later backed up by the other managers as it has been lacking for some time.

I am happy with the outcome and consider the matter closed and forgotten about now.

Thanks to those who offered sensible and helpful advice, as usual this forum is a great resource, even when you are not sure of the outcome of a request made on it as i found out here. It's a great place place to 'bounce' thoughts off and as such helps keep a level head and clear the red mist.