View Full Version : F'n ****s at my work, what would you do?
BanannaMan
26-10-12, 06:21 AM
I thought I got along good with my staff at work. I'm the owner.
They actually refer to themselves as my friends and tell me they "love" working there.
Business has been really slow the past 2 months and even though I should not have, I've kept them at full hours when most of my competitors half had their staff working 'short time".
I happen in on a conversation yesterday and find out there's a big party planned for Friday night for everyone from work, except me.
I mention this to my office manager, What, there's a party and I'm not invited?
It was discussed , she says. and then says, You probably wouldn't want to come anyway right?
WTF
I putting them all on one day off rotation next week, foooking barstewards. Starting with the office manager.
What would you do?
I wouldn't take it personally, but some people feel they can't hang out with the boss. I guess being friends in work is ok, but outside of it might feel a little strange to some people.
widepants
26-10-12, 06:47 AM
You,re the boss and take all the risk .The're the staff and let you take the risk.Do what ever is right for you.I bet if they had the chance of a better job etc it would be bye bye.
In other words Bill....Man up and do it.
Being nice wont buy you a new bike , its just buissness
-Ralph-
26-10-12, 06:48 AM
Dont mix business and pleasure. You're thier boss not thier friend. Lots of employees insincerely blow sunshine up the bosses ass, but will happily cut you out socially. For a start they dont want you seeing thier drunken antics and realising poor performance next day is due to the hangover, or if they do something daft changing your opinion of them and affecting career prospects. Many people feel they cant enjoy a night out when being watched by thier boss. If business isnt good, your staff utilisation isnt good and your competitors are cutting hours, then you need to do the same. If you go under and they are all made redundant how many do you think will give a damn about you and be your friend afterwards? Ive seen quite a few small IT firms go down because the boss was too interested in being one of the lads.
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Fallout
26-10-12, 07:00 AM
I second what's been said above by all. I've had some good managers who've I'd had some light hearted banter with and enjoy the company of, but I wouldn't want to socialise with them outside work. Nothing to do with them as people but purely because I may feel the need to make some hideous rude and depraved jokes after a few bevvies. It's not a big deal if my co-workers judge and get offended, but I'd be afraid that if my boss felt that way it'd affect my job/promotion/pay/treatment later on.
Basically, when someone is in control of a large part of your life, you want to keep them onside. When you're out getting hammered you don't want to have to rein yourself in to play the good guy for your bosses benefit.
Don't take it personally!
Edit: Also, the fact that you're willing half their working hours because you weren't invited to a party proves the point. From their perspective it's "Don't invite boss to a party = half pay". This is why employees are scared of bosses and don't want to socialise with them. Obviously you have good reason to reduce their hours because of money etc. but it's a perfect example of the power you wield.
Spank86
26-10-12, 07:09 AM
We all have friends we wouldn't invite to certain parties its the way it is and I wouldn't want my boss to see me absolutely wasted.
Also I completely misread the start of the title, thought the n was the start of the starred out word.
Fallout
26-10-12, 07:16 AM
Also I completely misread the start of the title, thought the n was the start of the starred out word.
I know what you're thinking you bad man. :batman:
Sid Squid
26-10-12, 07:19 AM
I appreciate the relationship with the boss can be quite difficult to manage, when it comes down to it you're not friends - however friendly your relationship may be. In this circumstance, (I have experienced similar), I would expect to be informally briefed that there were a function and also that I were not invited, I know that seems tough, but it's better than finding out accidentally.
Crap situation, but now you know where you stand - if you need to can a few of them now you won't hesitate, and possibly compromise your business and your own livelihood by trying to help your 'friends'.
Then go burn down their houses.
I bet HR werent invited too ... it sounds like a team building exercise. Clearly there maybe other conflicts of interest which meant that your weren't invited. I imagine the "it was discussed " raisied the point. Crack the whip and make sure they pull their weight the day after :)
if i had heard my staff talk about a party i would have piped up and made a joke of something like ''party! how come i'm not invited? ok i know i'm old and smell of wee but an invite would have been nice'' then walked of mumbling to my self while smiling then the first member off staff i come across i would order them to make me a cup of coffee.
Bill don't worry to much about it, they might think your having money problems or to old to party etc.etc and were concerned so kept it secret. from what i have seen your a good man Bill so don't change.
dizzyblonde
26-10-12, 10:40 AM
Oh well. When one of them.has a mystery virus the day after the party, feel the need to put on your best Alan Sugar voice, point and say....
You're fired!!
My old boss was always a lot more chummy with the shop floor staff than the management team. Mmuch preferred our company than theirs at any parties and nights out. But then his previous job was working for Carlsberg!, and he is a tad odd in an eccentrically good way!
Specialone
26-10-12, 12:06 PM
Personally I think it's better to have a bit of distance between you and your employees, when you are too friendly people get too familiar and take libertys they wouldn't if you were just a boss.
On a smaller scale, I have subs working for me sometimes and I've had 'friends' take the p*ss before because I've not defined clearly who pays the fecking wages, ie who calls the shots, it's fair to say that doesn't happen anymore.
phatwheels
26-10-12, 12:25 PM
You're the big boss-man - you can do what you want when you want. Personally i'd take a sh!t on the Office Managers desk then plead ignorance.
I shall echo a lot of sentiment here that although their are friendly with you, they might not actually be your "friends".
I'd take a week or so before letting them know about the new short working week, it might seem petty to do it sooner.
Balky001
26-10-12, 02:59 PM
How many people you got working for you? Are you putting them all on 1 day rotation a week because business is slow or because your pride is hurt and you mis-read the relationship? What are you doing mixing business practise with your personal feelings for your staff? If you need to lay them off then do based on economics, but don't use this as an excuse.
FYI - most bosses I know wouldn't be invited to every party, however if you have been excluded maybe you should think why. It might be as simple as people feeling they can't let loose when you are around, so don't build it up too much and realise whatyou do/say/think as a lot more impression on staff than you think. If people got reduced hours because you didn't get an inviote how would that go long term, good for morale and stability to build a career on? Don't let a hasty/petty reaction spoil the business.
metalmonkey
26-10-12, 03:34 PM
Its a rubbish situation, having been a manager it makes its a lot easier to have a professional divide, it makes easier to step back and make decision without emotion affecting the decision your going to make. When a choice is made do it for the right reason a business one, not something that is emotive led as in the heat of the moment it may not be the logical thing to have done.
I'd say it be better to cut a few people, which is never easy to save your business it won't do anyone any good including you if the business fails, but do it for the right reasons.
The thing about the party, I won't worry to much I don't invite everyone I know to the same party, it would be a total disaster! At least you know why they don't look to well the following day! If people are going to be at work the following day, I'd expect them to be professional, they could have always taken a days leave.
BanannaMan
29-10-12, 03:02 AM
Was having a bad week last week and all that just added to it.
Thanks for the advice.
Had a few days to think it over. Not putting anyone on slack time.
No one really wants to be friends with the boss. That's just the way it is.
Should just be happy we all get on well at work.
Back to the original plan. If things don't pick up in the next 2 weeks will be cutting one position.
Likely be somewhat less personal the future.
timwilky
29-10-12, 01:24 PM
Bill I would suggest you have a "closing down" party. Don't invite the staff and leave them wondering.
but I do hope things pick up. I have been in the position of having to "loose" staff and it is horrid especially when you know them too much and start thinking about who has just had a baby or bought a new house etc.
punyXpress
29-10-12, 01:39 PM
So, Bill:
Assuming the shop wasn't open for business Saturday, How many turned up and fit for work this morning?
Seriously, hope this 'problem' didn't actually happen.
Purity14
29-10-12, 01:44 PM
I have been in the position of having to "loose" staff...
Orly?? :cool:
BanannaMan
30-10-12, 04:25 AM
Bill I would suggest you have a "closing down" party. Don't invite the staff and leave them wondering..
I really like that idea!
I have been in the position of having to "loose" staff and it is horrid especially when you know them too much and start thinking about who has just had a baby or bought a new house etc.
Hoping things pickup after the elections here next week.
Not going to be fun letting anyone go.
So, Bill:
Assuming the shop wasn't open for business Saturday, How many turned up and fit for work this morning?
Seriously, hope this 'problem' didn't actually happen.
Open half day on saturday but not at full staff.
Everyone was on time and fit to work.
The Office Manager decided not to go to the party. LOL
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