Serious problem at work
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hi all,
i'm currently working as an office clerk in a precision engineering firm. all has been coming along fine for about 1 year already, but with the coming of the new year 2007, lots of things seems to be re-vamped in my department.
during the past few months, i've been doing my work and writing/managing the department's documents a certain way, and my colleagues have absolutely no problem with that. life is sweet.....
but now, my department boss wants me to change the way i handle those documents and my work. basically, he's added a lot of very very tedious steps into my usual working routine, so incredibly insane that in the past, a 40 page document gets done and ready for issuing in 10 mins, whereas recently, to do a 30 page document takes about 7 hours(9 am to 5.30 pm++), and by 7 hours, i mean 7 straight hours at the desk typing and working away, no time at all to see/talk to other colleagues at all(not even a single word, except during lunch).
you see, on my typical work day, i would photo-copy lots and lots of documents(900++ pages per day), write bunches and bunches of data-letters to clients/suppliers/other companies(approx. 50++ per day) and other miscellaneous mainteance errands that clerks/postman/sai-kang warriors do.
i can handle all these, no problem, since i can say i work very efficiently and have a systemized organization way of working.
so, as you guys can see, in the past, if i spend 10 mins to finish 40 page document, i can really clear a lot of the office work, photo-copy finish whatever mountain is given to me, settle all outstanding issues, maintain the office well and have time to breathe. but now, to do a very simple 30-page document can take 1 full working day, and that means 98% of the rest of the expected jobs are not touched at all!!!!!!! based on my calculations, even if i work non-stop from 8 AM to 2 AM(19 hours) everyday, also cannot clear the work.
in other words, my working pace has slowed down by at least 30++ times ever since the silly introduction/concepts he introduced outta the blue.
the worst thing is.....get this clear : these new tasks he introduced are not even in my job scope......it's supposed to be done by our outsourced-companies(something like consultant/service provider companies)!!!!!!! SIAO!!!!!!!!
dunno if i offended him or what, but other higher-ranking colleagues can give him trashy document(spelling errors, liquid paper everywhere, cancellations, crumped paper, wrong subject, missing content etc.) and he can still sign so happily and never read. from what i know, i never step on his toe and never even bad-mouth him to a single ant. i tried all my best to satisfy his sick whims everytime, but....sigh.
i'm trying to hang in there, but i'll try not to tell him my problems, because he's a Da4 Nan2 Ren2 Zhu3 Yi4(Big man) kind of boss : very hardcore, loves to scold english bad words, don't accept feedback from subordinates and brutal.
so, what i do now? if i tell him i got problem, he'll be sure to blast me in front of everyone. i'm currently doing my resume to prepare to find another job already, he's getting more and more insane in his requirements towards me every month.
but.....i'm very stuck : this job is quite high-paying(don't think can easily find a better one elsewhere) and the dress code is very lax(which i love). the colleagues are all very very nice and warm and i've absolutely no problems with them. in fact, a lot of my higher colleagues(executives) often see me so trapped by work and they try to help me whenever they're free. even the company's GM also very nice......the only problem is my own department boss.
to quit just because of 1 person.......is very very silly......but....i really have no choice....it's useless to tell my problems to the higher-ups(GMs, HR managers) as my boss is quite high-ranking himself(manager) and he can still back-stab me afterwards.......sigh......
thanks for any help, all!
nikar. -
one way, just need to talk to him. it your only choice.
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yeah...if you dont say, he dont know.
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Hi Nikar,
Perhaps you should consider talking to your boss. The other options are to:
(1) continue to suffer in silence, or (2) quit.
Best if you can learn the art of ANGKAT (PLP).
Buy tea... compliment him... offer to da pao lunch etc...
These are all office politics survival techniques.
The most important thing in the office is RELATIONSHIPS.
It's WHO you know, not WHAT you know.
Doesn't matter if you're the most efficient worker because someone else who's well recognized by all the big bosses, will get promoted first.
So focus on relationship building with your superior...
who knows... this may be his ploy to get you closer to him... by overloading you with work until you have to beg for help.
So try to see through to his intentions. Then you can decide whether to (a) ANGKAT or (b) LEAVE or (c) SUFFER IN SILENCE.
Cheers. -
thanks Lancism! but......playing office politics is really like cheapening yourself leh....i mean.....it's so disgusting and i can't imagine with my kind of character doing it......sigh.....
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You do have other choices...? Like leaving or like tolerating... etc?Originally posted by Nikar2:thanks Lancism! but......playing office politics is really like cheapening yourself leh....i mean.....it's so disgusting and i can't imagine with my kind of character doing it......sigh..... -
I understand, playing office politics can be distasteful... especially if your character is straightforward and upright.
I think the key here is flexibility. Maybe you can impress him by getting the work done faster than expected?
Then he might give you more... but other people will notice, and you'll be the superman of the office.
Then you might ask him for a raise because you feel like you're doing the work of two men... :p
Or perhaps you should confront him since you're thinking of leaving anyway. Maybe he's the type that respects people who stand up to him.
There's always a way to get out of the situation while minimizing damage.
Know your opponent. Generate more options. And use the best choice. -
u already said the work high paying n etc etc etc unless >>
they always say that u relent and finally decide to leave the trashy job doesnt mean that ur coward / incapable >>
just that that the human factor ( the most complicated in work)determine that u choose not to suffer because the company and management benefit so much at your sufferings' expense >> then u will find Nirvana when u
fire ur manager and company
then we will see less of your sufferings here 
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Nikar2, think your boss is obviously making life difficult for you or he is trying to save $ by not engaging the outsource company to do the job.
If you wanna talk to you, depend on your gut feeling to determine if you should go ahead. Is there anyone who is not happy with the way he works and has gone ahead to talk to him and that after that the person is still working there peacefully? Is your boss someone who is objective to accept facts and reasoning?
If situation gets worse, decide if you wanna let this boss continue to make your life difficult, is it worth it to stay on. If he is the one who appraise you then I think nobody else in the company can help you. If after talking to him things really improve then it's good for you. Let me tell you my experience, most of the time when things like that happen, when I talked to bosses after that instead of some improvement, situation got worse and deliberately gave me very bad appraisal. IF you are confident that your boss is a reasonable and objective person, go ahead to talk to him. -
(Lancism)
I understand, playing office politics can be distasteful... especially if your character is straightforward and upright.
yeah, i agree. i know for sure that if i back-stab somebody, i really cannot forgive myself or sleep at night one. dunno why, but i always question the fact why a lot of people always play office politics and make life so difficult for everyone?
i mean, if we all be kind and help others whenever we can, not only they'll feel that warm feeling, but we'll also feel happy(at least for me).
but instead, most people play office politics the moment they "feel" they're being arrowed or back-stabbed by others.
(Rane)Is there anyone who is not happy with the way he works and has gone ahead to talk to him and that after that the person is still working there peacefully? Is your boss someone who is objective to accept facts and reasoning?
actually, i dunno why, but i think he's quite prejudiced towards people doing entry-level jobs. my colleagues all executive-level, and he's a lot more willing to listen to their problems. occasionally, he'll tell them "if you've problems, then come and see me and we can talk mah! got problem don't see me how to settle?" in a soft tone. and he never told me anything like that!!!!
and everytime when i need to discuss some work-related things with him or ask him some issues about the documents, he'll treat me like i'm transparent, go and make coffee, make phone calls, surf web for research, go for short meeting, and it's very common to wait 2 hours just to settle some very simple issues that require only a few 'yes' or 'nos'. and when i'm asking him sometime after the hour-long wait and some of my colleagues interrupt to see him about something, he'll ignore me again and give priority to others, even though i've "queued" for eons.
and i always hear him saying the other departments "stupid!", so maybe he's an elitist and is biased against lower-ranking people. i always feel he's treating me like a tool/service to serve the department and executives, and he sees the executives as real humans.
actually, there's some rare occasions when he's good to me, and that's when he's in a very very very good mood and in high spirits, then his attitude got quite big difference.Let me tell you my experience, most of the time when things like that happen, when I talked to bosses after that instead of some improvement, situation got worse and deliberately gave me very bad appraisal.
yeah, i saw before your kind of situation in the army. won't work out one.
after the complaints/discussions/counselling etc, things will only get worse and the back-stabbing even more intense.
actually, in some cases, it will work out and things will improve, although very rare. for things to improve, the boss himself has to be a very open, liberal, impartial, soul-searching and gentlemanly guy.
a boss who's narrow-minded, big-man-idea(da4 nan2 ren2 zhu3 yi4) won't listen to you one; he'll see you as a threat and give you h*ll.
i think in this sense, maybe a female boss is better, because they're more objective, more willing to listen and not so big-man-idea.
thanks for your words, all!
nikar. -
Originally posted by Nikar2:(Lancism)
yeah, i saw before your kind of situation in the army. won't work out one.
after the complaints/discussions/counselling etc, things will only get worse and the back-stabbing even more intense.
actually, in some cases, it will work out and things will improve, although very rare. for things to improve, the boss himself has to be a very open, liberal, impartial, soul-searching and gentlemanly guy.
a boss who's narrow-minded, big-man-idea(da4 nan2 ren2 zhu3 yi4) won't listen to you one; he'll see you as a threat and give you h*ll.
i think in this sense, maybe a female boss is better, because they're more objective, more willing to listen and not so big-man-idea.
thanks for your words, all!
nikar. Sigh! My ex boss is somehow the same as your boss. He treats the executive staff and above better than admin staff. These staff are treated with respect by him. He is an asshole (sorry for my language) for being so biased and personal to give me personal attack during appraisal session. He deliberately made my life hell. I can understand how you feel as I was in your shoes b4. Ever talked to him about problems, after that things got worse and worst. He is superficial and looks down on admin staff. I have admin staff from other depts complained that he showed them face or ignore them when they greeted him. He thinks so highly of himself and others from the elite group. He is very cunning, he looks so innocent but deep down he is a devil. I
Hope you be careful, do your work well so that he finds no loopholes to get rid of you. -
i think if u rly cannot take the work load...then try searching for another job soon?
just like what it happened to my sister. she got work not within her job scoop and now she wants to quit liao... -
thanks a lot, rane and shun! yeah, i can totally relate. he treats the specialized workers/execs with utmost respect even though they're lower-ranking than him(jokes with them etc.).
but then, if an office doesn't have a dedicated admin workforce, how is the company going to survive? if an army doesn't have a good logistics unit, i love to see how they can even plan to go to war.
anyway, for those of you guys who say NS/army sucks, then do think twice. most army officers/regulars are impartial as long as you don't go out of your way to offend them. but these corporate scums are different. -
Hi, Nikar, corporate scums even kill their own kind to climb up the ladder. They can create nuisance, make up stories, and act without conscience to get rid of people, especially in the govt service! It is sometimes not our good performance that will cause these sickening bosses to treat us well. Many of them act on their impulses and are ruthless to kill whoever they don't like even though we can be contributing effectively to help them get promotions!Originally posted by Nikar2:thanks a lot, rane and shun! yeah, i can totally relate. he treats the specialized workers/execs with utmost respect even though they're lower-ranking than him(jokes with them etc.).
but then, if an office doesn't have a dedicated admin workforce, how is the company going to survive? if an army doesn't have a good logistics unit, i love to see how they can even plan to go to war.
anyway, for those of you guys who say NS/army sucks, then do think twice. most army officers/regulars are impartial as long as you don't go out of your way to offend them. but these corporate scums are different. -
These days, it's all about multi-tasking. When the subordinate has shown the boss that he/she can perform exceptionally well, handle multiple task in the shortest time............... this subordinate........ i m sad to say........will hv his or her task multiplied.
Why? Boss feels he dun need to employ an extra head to finish the extra task as there's this super duper subordinate who can do take in the extra task.....that, i m afraid happen to be u.
Boss can save a bundle, as u also said this job pays pretty well. Perhaps, the others can afford to submit junk n their bosses dun object becos they hv always been dat way.
But for u, in your boss's eyes, u r very capable, therefore u should b able to cope with d extra load.
Sadly, with such high expectations fm your boss in your performance, u can't afford to slip back or b like your other collagues. Why? Your boss will deem u r incapable to perform, disregarding the fact dat u hv been loaded wif extra tasks. It will ultimately affect your future appraisal.
So, d only way is go forward, tune yourself to tis new load, or look for another job elsewhere. So sorry to be so harsh. But this is the reality. Everywhere u go, it will be d same. It's all about multi-tasking. D person who can multi-task, very often end up will extra loads
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40pg in 10min to 30pg in 7h.
Got so drastic meh? -
Originally posted by FireAndHell:These days, it's all about multi-tasking. When the subordinate has shown the boss that he/she can perform exceptionally well, handle multiple task in the shortest time............... this subordinate........ i m sad to say........will hv his or her task multiplied.
Why? Boss feels he dun need to employ an extra head to finish the extra task as there's this super duper subordinate who can do take in the extra task.....that, i m afraid happen to be u. Boss can save a bundle, as u also said this job pays pretty well. Perhaps, the others can afford to submit junk n their bosses dun object becos they hv always been dat way.
But for u, in your boss's eyes, u r very capable, therefore u should b able to cope with d extra load.
Sadly, with such high expectations fm your boss in your performance, u can't afford to slip back or b like your other collagues. Why? Your boss will deem u r incapable to perform, disregarding the fact dat u hv been loaded wif extra tasks. It will ultimately affect your future appraisal.
So, d only way is go forward, tune yourself to tis new load, or look for another job elsewhere. So sorry to be so harsh. But this is the reality. Everywhere u go, it will be d same. It's all about multi-tasking. D person who can multi-task, very often end up will extra loads 
Hey Fireandhell, before you post, get the facts right first. The post of Nikar is not about multi tasking. Think you got all the facts wrong. We cannot be so sure that Nikar is not doing multitasking on her job. Hey, not every boss will appreciat staff who do multi-tasking. The working world is not so simple as you view it to be! -
ask for a transfer lor.
wah i tot u cant stay in a job for long de leh..
1 year, im impressed. -
(Darkness hacker)
40pg in 10min to 30pg in 7h.
yesh, got so drastic. that's why i decided it's getting to unbearable limits already, or else given my high tolerance, i won't think of quitting so easily.
Got so drastic meh?
the reason why 40 pages in 10 mins becomes 30 pages in 7 hours is because in the past, it's straightforward : skim through the documents and prepare the necessary documents. now, it's read and understand the entire document(not documents, more like technical books), do some kind of detailed report and so on.
the problem is : these kind of job is supposed to be done by the outsource company, not me. this is because the outsource company has the tools and people knowledge(they specialize in this area) and thus can do it a lot faster and better than me. my job is a general admin type, not those specialized-niche in technical stuff. i keep telling myself : since i'm now given the job of doing the work of the outsource company, i might as well go and work for the outsource company instead.
actually, i think fireandhell got a point also. since the 1st day i joined the company, i've been very "on" and enthusiastic about the job. they give me tasks, i will immediately do it and hand it to them complete within 2 hours time or a lot faster. then, they start giving more and more tasks and i become more and more "siao-on". in some ways, i began to take on some little tasks here and there not related to my job scope, but i can still handle those.....but now, this huge mountain suddendly descend on me and i don't have the spirit to be so "on" anymore....like you battle more and more armies until u cannot take it anymore, and it's still increasing everyday.
anyway, today, the final straw came. i gave him a stack of documents and technical books to check and read and then sign. i spent the whole of yesterday(the 30 page in 7 hour thing, plus other documents) to prepare these documents, but the moment he saw it, he got so angry and used his ****ing pen to scribble and draw all over my documents which i prepared so painfully. of course, asked me to re-do everything, with that "bua-song" look on his face.
worse still, got other documents i let him check. i got the information needed to prepare these other documents from a newly hired executive(a bit blur blur one, but means no harm). and because the information this exec gave me was wrong, all the documents got wrong.
so, of course, the boss blew his top again. i tell you, i really want to break down and cry at that time, although i'm a grown man already.
then, later on, i saw the boss explain very nicely in a gentle tone to that newly-hired exec that he(the exec) got the information wrong.
the boss even jot down notes for that exec and pampered him like a little prince loh. this is the umpteen time that exec made these mistakes after so many reminders, and the scum still so warm towards him.
and me, who's just the clerk taking orders from execs, got blasted like anything. got very disheartened and sick because of that and made the decision to quit. i seriously feel that a hardworking, loyal and "on" clerk like me deserve a boss who treats me like a real human loh, and then i'll serve him and make sure he gets all the credits and promoted(i'm quite a strange person lah.....if i like the boss/superior, i will go to all means to help him no matter what it takes).
i'll be searching for a job tomorrow, and when everything is settled, i'll tell him straight in his face that i'm quitting. i don't want to wake up every morning and see a very unreasonable boss i dreaded.
a few questions, though.
1) if one is currently holding a job and plans to find another job on the sly, how does he go about doing it? i mean, if the hiring company wants to interview me, do i apply for leave in my current job? but if the interviews are on different times/different days apart, how?
this is the 1st time i'm doing this(wanna secure a job before quitting), so i need some advice and tips.
thanks all!
nikar. -
(BBB)
ask for a transfer lor.
ha ha ha! dear BBB now come and make comments liao!
wah i tot u cant stay in a job for long de leh..
1 year, im impressed.
1 year is actually not very long lah, but it does give me experience which i can write/update in my resume, plus i now got private basic diploma, should be a lot easier then last year, when i had no certs besides o' levels and no working experience. -
Dear TS,i have read briefly the posts that you have,as i think it long ,just browse through.
I understand that it bad that your boss treat u unfairly,but bear in mind that your search for a new job might not mean u will get a better boss than the current one.
I think it best to adapt the working environment and not the other way round,working environment adapt you.You don't like to play politics,but then sometimes it really not up to u to decide,if you don't change your mindset,it will be tough.
1) if one is currently holding a job and plans to find another job on the sly, how does he go about doing it? i mean, if the hiring company wants to interview me, do i apply for leave in my current job? but if the interviews are on different times/different days apart, how?
Just take MC ,since your boss treat u badly,i think it tough on your leave but if he approve your leave then use it but don't do it so obvious.
As for the interview,just quote the usual sentence u need a change in environment loh -
I looove office politics.
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Just do what you think is right and ignore him. Let him scream and shout like a big baby and if he sack you so be it. Since you are ready to go anyway.Originally posted by Nikar2:hi all,
i'm currently working as an office clerk in a precision engineering firm. all has been coming along fine for about 1 year already, but with the coming of the new year 2007, lots of things seems to be re-vamped in my department.
This is the only way to deal with ah beng bosses like that. Talking to them is a waste of time. If he screams as you, then just explain and whether he accepts or not, keep quiet and let him scream. Treat it like a game, a challenge. Try to outlast, outwit and SURVIVE! -
thanks all.....yes, i know that even if i find new job, there's a chance the boss may be the same type or worse, but the chances are quite low, because from my experience in other jobs, most bosses, especially managers with degrees, don't behave like this. he do it until very obvious like that, like he wants an all-out war everytime i let him see and sigh my documents.
(Andrew)This is the only way to deal with ah beng bosses like that. Talking to them is a waste of time. If he screams as you, then just explain and whether he accepts or not, keep quiet and let him scream. Treat it like a game, a challenge. Try to outlast, outwit and SURVIVE!
whoa, never thought of this before : ah-beng boss? correct loh! he sibeh ah-beng, i tell you. his outer appearance is like Ma Ying Jiu that type, very Ci2 Xiang2 type. but whenever he talks to subordinates, suppliers, outsource companies and anyone who works indirectly/directly under him, he talk loud-loud and always use english expletives. last time he's in very foul mood, and scolded one employee from another department(40-year old uncle) like scolding dog like that. also got one poly guy last time kenna shouted by him across entire department, and u had think that his family was killed or something for him to behave like this. really don't understand why he like that.
i got see some ah-beng boss before, but they usually have soft-side one. like when you do things nice-nice for them, be really sincere towards them, they'll like melt and get mellow and soft......but this guy won't.
anyway, today, he so kind, walk around whole department and having small talk with everyone except me. really want to ask him what the **** is wrong with me/him and want to smash acid glass bottle on his head. KNN. very very p*ssed off. he went around asking others like "how's work?" and "got face any problem? no? no then must work hard, ok anot?"(soft tone)
KNN....i already totally overwhelmed liao but he never ask about my welfare for the 1 year or so i work in this company. scum!!!!!!
one last question for you guys. in your company and experience, what attire do the admin. assistants/clerks wear in your company?
long-sleeve shirt tucked inside long pants is it?
because i find it hard to work in such attire(very cumbersome), but from what i know, those "lower-class" places like shipyards and storehouses got let the admin assistants wear short-sleeve button shirt/t-shirt, tucked-out with jeans/pants is it?
i'm trying to hold on to this job as long as i can, hoping got miracle happen(new staff join us, more manpower etc.)
thanks all!
nikar. -
Nikar2, my suggestion is to hang in there. it's not easy landing a job which pays well and you have good colleagues. if you switch job, you may end up with a worse environment but maybe nicer boss. will you be happy then ?
how's the manpower movement in yr company ? do people get shifted around often ? things change. maybe one of these days yr boss will get transferred and you'll be spared changing job just because of him.