All right...not going to quit my job, but my co-worker just sucks.

[SirPeale]

I'll post more on the subject later, but today just...sucked.  And it's not the first day of it's kind.

[Bones]

You need to punch that ---tallywhacker--- in the head. I knew it would come to this.

[ChadTower]

You need to punch that ---tallywhacker--- in the head with your schlong.

Just jab him right in the eye with it.  He'll never see it coming.


Get it?

[SirPeale]

He's 90% of the problem, but not the ultimate reason.

[ChadTower]

Money?

[Thenasty]

Money?

NOPE ! He misses BYOAC forums He's been slacking  off....He wants to put in 200% again 

[Zakk]

Dude, you need to do what makes you happy.  If you're unhappy there, life is too short.  Find something else.

[pointdablame]

I don't know what the extra 10% is, but I bet it would be a lot more tolerable if you just kicked the S#(* out of that ---tallywhacker---.

[Jabba]

Kick his ass. You may get a whooping, but man, you'll feel good...

[NiN^_^NiN]

I know how u feel

I just got in trouble for printing lables without barcodes.....

She told me the data is ready just print labels and now shes saying i should of barcoded it she said they labels were ready for barcoding then labels yet she didn't say it Grrr..

I've been here 2 years last week im looking for a new job right now.

But i wanna hear what happened Peale

[RetroJames]

I know how u feel

I just got in trouble for printing lables without barcodes.....

She told me the data is ready just print labels and now shes saying i should of barcoded it she said they labels were ready for barcoding then labels yet she didn't say it Grrr..

I've been here 2 years last week im looking for a new job right now.

But i wanna hear what happened Peale

I need to talk to you about your TPS reports...didn't you get the memo?

[NiN^_^NiN]

I need to talk to you about your TPS reports...didn't you get the memo?

Lol yeah thats the way it seems to be lately

But i don't wanna jack Peale thread so im still waiting on what happened 

[missioncontrol]

you may be able to pay someone to kick the living ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- out of him

[SirPeale]

All right, here goes-ish, in a nutshell. It's 12:31AM, and I just woke from a very unsound sleep.  My hands are shaking, it's actually difficult to type.  So if there are typos, you know why.

I've always been leery of 'the guy' (which we shall now give a name, and it shall be Mumbles) but since he had his major blow-up session at me, I've done everything I can do avoid the guy.  Heh...I had the pleasure of working closely with him all last week (and unbelievably he was actually decent 99% of the week). 

It has certainly affected my work *and* my personal life.  Instead of being happy about work, I've become aprehensive about it, even on the weekends, which should be a 'worry free zone.'  Instead, I'm sitting there all weekend, dreading Monday and renewed torment.

So here we go back to last Thursday.  We'd just pulled some machines off location, a Spider Stompin' game and a basketball game called Hoop It Up.  We had to move some equipment around in a theatre because they were replacing their carpets.  After we moved it, Mumbles had to take a trip up north to deliver some equipment, and to repair some other.  He wouldn't be back until later.

His last words to me were something like this: "think you can find enough work?"

Mine? "With all the equipment in the shop, I'm pretty sure I can find SOMETHING to do."

So I entered the shop.  Wanted to impress.  I knew Spider Stomping was slated to be dropped off at an arcade *sometime* but as we'd just done a delivery recently, I didn't think it would be going out soon. 

So I started working on Hoop It Up.  I did a really good job cleaning it up, too.  (Only one caveat: when I started cleaning the game actually worked.  Now everything seems to work, but when you hit P1/P2 start, it does nothing, but that's not terribly important to this story).

Boss called at some point about something.  I filled him in on the status of Hoop It Up.

It was then that he stated that I shouldn't be working on that, I should be working on Spider Stomp.  I said "okay." and moved on.

After that, I moved on to Spider Stomping.  I worked on it for about 45 minutes before having to return to the movie theatre and move the equipment back into place.  I then went home.

Now, the next day I didn't come in in the morning, I had made arrangements to take the morning off to attend some meeting regarding my youngest son.  I came in later Friday afternoon.

Mumbles is there.  After grunting a few sylables, he asks "how is Spider Stomping coming along?"

I state I've got about 45 minutes into it.

He just stops what he's doing and looks at me.  "Spider Stomping is a priority.  What the heck were you doing yesterday?"

I see where this is going already.  "I was working on Hoop It Up."

He states that he *told* me that Hoop It Up was *NOT* to be worked on, that Spider Stomping was the priority.  Now, remember what I said before about not wanting to cross him in any way, and doing what I'm told?  If he had *really* said that, you *really* think I'm going to cross him and do something else?

He then tells me that they had wanted to move the machine into place that day, but since it was not ready obviously that wasn't going to happen.  "I can start on it right now, have it done in a little bit." I say.  "No time.  I'm going home early, since I was out until 9PM last night.  Boss said I could."

Moving on, same day.  Had to go to a local arcade to check the machines, fill tickets, and see to an 'out of order'.  I do that, and while I'm there a lady informs me that the Skee Ball machine is not giving correct points.  I watch for a couple minutes, see what she's talking about.  Now, I've never worked on a Skee Ball machine before, so I call Mumbles at the shop.  He gives me a very quick rundown on how a Skee Ball machine works, and how to get at the operating guts.  It seems simple enough, so I get off the phone with him to see what I can do to repair it.

I manage to get one out of the two machines working.  The other, no matter how I adjust the actuator wires on the microswitches, it's not triggering.  So I figure...bad switch!  Look in my parts box, no switches.  Luckily the shop is just four miles away, so I head there...no switches, either!  I do find a switch that I think I can remove it's actuator and replace it with the Skee Ball one, and I do.  Still, no dice.  Crap.  Time to call him back.

Except...he's not at the shop.  Crap.  Crap crap.  I know I would be in for more of his crap, so I don't call him.  I leave a message for the boss, detail him, finish up, and go home.

So now here's today.  Cool Guy tells me that boss is going to have a 'little talk' with me about the Hoop It Up game.  Crap.  No matter what I say, I look bad.  I have to stop at his house and pick up some items, and I start thinking of what I'm going to say to him when I get there.

Now, what most of you don't know is that I have a heck of a time talking.  I've stuttered most of my adult life, and my brain makes me say the wrong thing a lot of the time (like switching around names of stuff, fumbling over words, etc).  So when I get there, I start to apologize and explain, and of course I'm doing a piss-poor job of it.

Boss starts in on me.  States that Mumbles *TOLD ME* that Hoop It Up wasn't to be touched (uh...no.  See above.).  Then he said that I've made it a habit to work on non-priority projects.  This suprised me...usually I know what needs to be done, and try (and usually succeed) to accomplish it in the time given.  So where he's getting THAT "trivia tidbit" from I can only guess (Mumbles).

Then in the same breath he starts in on how I don't seem to listen to everything I'm told, how I seem only to retain 80% of what's related to me, and how I had no focus.

I have a BIG problem with these last two statements.  As stated, I've done what I've been asked (unless I have a good reason not to) and as far as I know haven't made any major flubs.  So for the boss to tell me these things, it frankly makes me a bit angry.  Why, you're asking?  THE BOSS IS NEVER AROUND TO SEE WHAT I DO.  Seriously, I see him maybe three times a week, and usually only for a few minutes at a time.  So he must be getting his "information" from somewhere...Mumbles?

Then he starts on how I majorly dropped the ball on the Skee Ball.  That kind of suprised me, and yet it didn't.  My major mistake on that was not calling Mumbles after I couldn't get it goign after a few minutes, since he was still at the shop.  I tell him *why* I didn't call him, since he had already gone home and I didn't want to get mad.  Then it hit me: great!  I made him doubly mad at me, as he had to drive up Saturday morning to fix what I couldn't!  Great.  Boss said he told Mumbles to not get mad at me, that he would deal with me himself.  Yeah...that's going to make him not get ticked for having to drive up on a Saturday AM.

So I really don't know what to do; I *do* love my job. Virtually every aspect of it.  I even like loading the truck. 

What I don't love is this walking-around-on-eggshells thing I've got with Mumbles.  Whenever I make a decision it's pretty much based on what *won't* piss him off.

Case in point: we're stocking the ski resorts with equipment two weeks ago.  I made *damn* sure I had all the equipment ready to roll.  Night before I pulled it all out of the warehouse and put it on the floor so it would be an easy load.

So I get there the next day to load the truck, and I can already see Mumbles is pissed about something.  What, who knows.  Probably the trip, he's complaining about *everything*.  He makes a mention of he's not sure if he wants to move the equipment to the loading dock, but doesn't want to take up a bay.  That's it, just that little mention.  And with what he said about taking up a bay, I don't think any more of it, since that's the start - and finish - of hearing about it.

They go to drop off some equipment nearby, about an hour trip total.  When they get back, Mumbles is even *more* pissed about something.  I question Cool Guy about it, and he says that he's pissed that I didn't move any of the equipment out to the dock.

WTF?  I can't win either way.

So this is what it's come down to: dealing with crap like that, on top of the opinion that the boss has of me (which I'm 99% sure is offset by what Mumbles has related to the boss).

[Jabba]

Dude, long post! I think I got the gist of it though...

Mumbles IS an ---sufferer of cranial-rectal-inversion---! ...plain and simple. He sounds majorly MOODY!

[DrewKaree]

In the Duck, Duck, Goose game of working with this ass hat, you've been goosed.  I don't normally advocate giving up, but this entire situation seems to have been mishandled into a fiasco which now threatens you with a losing proposition no matter which way you turn.

Find another job on your days off.  You clearly got cut at the knees, and it's because you poked the bear.  You shoulda been laying out your case to the boss and standing up to ass hat earlier, now it's a chess match and all you've got is one piece left.

[SirPeale]

Dude, long post! I think I giot the gist though

Heh...it's been building for a while.  There's tons more, but I won't bore you.

Also...sorry for editing your post, I didn't want his name on here.  I slipped.

Mumbles IS an ---sufferer of cranial-rectal-inversion---! Plain and simple. He sounds majorly MOODY!  I bet sometimes (rarely) you guys joke, right?)

Sometimes the guy can be okay, sure.  Problem is I never know what's going to set him off.

I think I wrote about this already, but what really made me not want to be around him was this:

Several weeks ago, he had to go repair some machines up north.  A rather unfun trip, I thought.  He left fairly early in the AM.

He comes back in the afternoon, and so in comiserating with him about how his day must have sucked, I said: "wow, you just getting back?"

Him: "What's that supposed to mean?"

Me: "um...just that."

"I don't see what that has to do with anything."

(confused) "er...okay...why are you being evasive?"

(I mean, seriously, it's not like it's a bad question, unless you're trying to cover something up, right?)

"I'm not being evasive.  I don't answer to you, I answer to the boss."

(he goes to answer the phone)

Me: "jeeze, I'm sorry, I was just making conversation..."

Him: "CHRIST, I'M ON THE F'ING PHONE!  SHUT THE F UP, A******!"

Me: "...!"

He apologized for it about half an hour later.  We talked for a few minutes, and I tried explaining that I was just comicerating about his day.  His response?  Same thing.  "I don't answer to you, I answer to the boss.  You don't need to know that." Hasn't stopped him from asking ME similar questions since then, though!

Based on what you hear,  you gotta ask yourself if you seriously like the job that much? Its ARCADE related and mega cool I know, but to be putting up with his crap?

Please note the topic of this thread. 

[SirPeale]

Find another job on your days off.  You clearly got cut at the knees, and it's because you poked the bear.  You shoulda been laying out your case to the boss and standing up to ass hat earlier, now it's a chess match and all you've got is one piece left.

Heh...nice analogy.

Problem is, I *haven't*  been poking the bear.  I've tried leaving him alone. 

Finding a job on the weekends is hard.  I may just have to take a morning off here or there to scout out.  There's a warehouse I've been thinking of applying for, that might do the job. 

[NIVO]

this may not seem relevant but look at it from another point of view.....dont quit, its the wrong way out. Get Fired if need be, then unemployment checks come. You've done your part, no reason to satisfy anyone now 

[Bones]

If I was you I would call a "team meeting". If you struggle with speech when put on the spot then draw up an agenda. Reinforce that there seems to be communication issues between the parties. Put the focus back onto mumbles when met with resistance on how he would like the situation corrected. He won't have a valid answer because he is a cranky half wit fart so now is your perfect opportunity to present to your boss a working solution.

Formulate job cards. Make it official. Put the day

[shmokes]

Seriously.  Start enjoying your job.  Your problem is fear, and by the time you get to the point you have reached it's just a matter of realizing, but also convincing yourself, that you haven't got anything to fear.  Quit trying to avoid this guy.  Knock this eggshell crap off.  It serves no purpose other than to feed into the power this guy feels over you.  I'm not saying you need to get all confrontational.  Realistically, that's probably not possible, at least without years of practice to overcome the stuttering.  But you need to quit giving a ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---.  And you can let him know that you don't give a ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- by looking at him.  You don't have to say a word.  The next time he starts PMSing suddenly grin, like you're trying to keep yourself from laughing.  It will piss him off to no end.  He'll ask what's funny.  Say, "nothing," but keep grinning.  Start doing this EVERY time he acts up.  Quit rewarding him for bad behavior.  It will only take two times before he realizes what exactly it is you find funny.  Every time after that will dig further under his skin.  He might just learn to hate being an ---uvula--- to you.  That'll do a helluva lot more to fix his attitude then empowering him with eggshells.  It won't be easy at first, but it actually is easy.  Just fake it till you make it.  After the first couple times you'll realize that the only thing stopping you from acting however the hell you want (and should), is you.  As Nike would say....just do it.  Fake it a couple times and you'll believe and then it'll be a walk in the park.

Will it get you fired?  Maybe.  So what?  It beats quiting, which is the only other alternative.  At least you'll leave with some dignity (and unemployment checks). 

And either way, quitting or getting fired, punch that ---maternal-smurf--- in the nose before you leave.  Hard.  That one moment will turn this whole wretched affair into one of the happiest, crowning memories you will ever have.  You will remember it on your death bed and it will be a moment you wouldn't trade it for 10 years of happy arcade repair without this guy.  That one moment will make his existence entirely worth it to you.   

[SirPeale]

Will it get you fired?  Maybe.  So what?  It beats quiting, which is the only other alternative.  At least you'll leave with some dignity (and unemployment checks). 

No unemployment checks here.  I've been getting paid as an 'outside contractor' so he doesn't have to deal with paying taxes.

Thanks for all your suggestions, guys, but I unfortunately think that it's time to move on.  When something affects me this way, it's no longer fun, it's *stress* and I've started noticing the signs.  Loss of appetite, lack of sleep, and lately I've been hitting the bottle just to feel normal.  That's not right.

Even if this *is* my dream job, it's not worth this stress that I'm going thru.  I've already learned a ton from it, and I can apply that knowledge to either other jobs, or to my favorite hobby.

Now my current stress isn't the job, but how to find another one without alerting him to the fact, and even worse, breaking the news to him I don't want to work for him any more. 

[JackTucky]

Don't be nervous about resigning.  When you go to resign, it will be all about you.  You will have the floor.  You will tell him why you're leaving.  It will be your chance to tell him why you don't want to work there.

Have fun with that at least.

Art

[Thenasty]

Just  hit the Lottery already, will ya ! This will make all your problems go away and make you very very happy. 

[SirPeale]

Just  hit the Lottery already, will ya ! This will make all your problems go away and make you very very happy. 

Wouldn't it? 

[Quarters]

If it's time to move on, move on.

Glad to hear you learned some more repair/restoration tricks. That usually means down the road the rest of us learn them too.

Unfortunately you will find characters like mumbles in most work places. There are many strategies to deal with them. I tend to use good natured ribbing.

Example:

He comes back in the afternoon, and so in comiserating with him about how his day must have sucked, I said: "wow, you just getting back?"

Him: "What's that supposed to mean?"

Me: "It means you're f'ing slow" with a big smile, an elbow, a "I'm kidding" after or some other RL equivalent to a  .

It's hard to b*tch at someone who is kidding with you. It also lets him know you will not be his whipping boy. Getting defensive enables his nature to be a ---tallywhacker---.

By the way, You do this very well on this forum. If you can do the same in RL These guys will not get to you and you get to go home happy.

Best of luck whatever you choose to do.   

[Edgedamage]

When I was in the business that's all I ever heard was horror stories from employees of arcade shops. List of complants I have heard over the years:

#1:bad pay
#2:bad hours
#3:getting yelled at


Best way to get back at the ---punks--- get a job at their competition. And start stealing their locations.

[ChadTower]

Problem is, I *haven't*

[ChadTower]

this may not seem relevant but look at it from another point of view.....dont quit, its the wrong way out. Get Fired if need be, then unemployment checks come. You've done your part, no reason to satisfy anyone now

[RetroJames]

Walk up to him on the next workday and kick him dead in the ass as hard as you can.

When he turns around say, "Y'know, you look really f'ing stupid you jackass."








then run...I did that once to a bully type, it was alot like the scene in Dazed and Confused with the paint bucket.

[fredster]

Peale, I've worked with dudes like that.

One thing I did was just go and ask the BOSS what he wants me to do. Not this dude. Talk to the boss and make sure you Know what he wants you to do.

There are more than a few of these people.

[nipsmg]

Peale:

It totally sucks that you're in this situation.  I unfortunately was put in the same situation by a previous manager that disliked me becuase I knew more than him and continually completed projects he had open for MONTHS on end, and tended to inadvertantly make him look like a fool (which he was).  He tried on more than one occasion to get me fired by fabricating stories about me doing work for another company while hired here.  I was always able to prove that that was not the case, and he was able to present enough "evidence" (read: an e-mail containing the name of another company, or some source code snippet I found that I used here that I thought would be personally useful so I sent it to my personal e-mail address)  to convince the higher-ups that it was a misunderstanding and not a deliberate outright lie to stay here, until he eventually got fired for incompetence.  I'm currently in his position as IT Manager.

The issue is, you're going to CONTINUE to run into people like this, without question.  There's a couple of things you can do to ensure that you have a somewhat pleasant working experience wherever you are.

 - Follow procedures carefully, and make sure there's a trail.  If you're having trouble, call.  If you can't get ahold of someone, leave messages.  Make sure that there's evidence you called.  Write down dates/times of calls and the issue that happened.  Keep a "log" for each job.  (This can be a regular college ruled notebook, with "Date/Location" on top and a list of issues. If none, write none.)

 - If someone is disrespecting you or yelling at you, do the following:  Ask that they stop yelling.  "I'm sorry you have a problem with this, but there's no need to yell or be condescending.  I'm more than willing to work with you if we can talk about this like adults.".  Have a calm conversation.  If the other party refuses to do so, EVEN IF YOU WORK FOR THEM, document it.  Write it down.  If this happens more than 2 or 3 times, file a complaint with human resources.  If there is no HUman Resources department, call "the boss", and arrange a time to speak with him.  Sit down with him, and calmly explain the situation.  "I am doing my job to the best of my ability.  I've been attempting to do what I'm told, but I'm running into some issues.  I have documented these issues here. *Present papers*.  I have attempted to go to Mumbles to ask for some direction or some idea of what he'd like done, and this is what is occurring.  I'd like to be able to do things correctly but i think there's a lack of communication here that needs to be addressed." 


It may be too late at this place, but make sure in the future you follow this chain.  If someone who has been there a while starts complaining about the "new guy" because they're an idiot, and you don't have any documentation or communications with the proper personnel, it's going to be VERY hard to plead your case.

I agree, at this point it might make sense to look elsewhere, but make sure you prepare for this in the future.  I guarantee it won't be the last time.

[NIVO]

Not if the boss didn't pay his unemployment insurance properly... say, if Peale is working under the table or for an "unofficial" business.

well its not like i could have known that chad, it was only a suggestion.

[ChadTower]

Not if the boss didn't pay his unemployment insurance properly... say, if Peale is working under the table or for an "unofficial" business.

well its not like i could have known that chad, it was only a suggestion.

Easy there, NIVO, don't yell at me.  I'm not your whipping boy.  I can talk like an adult but I will not be verbally abused.

That's how that works. 

It all depends on how closely you've followed his situation.  The other threads have all the relevant info, such as he works in a four person operation, obviously no HR dept, no formal procedures, boss off on business most of the time leaving Peale alone with asshat and at times another decent guy.

This is the hard place to be because it's all word of mouth and nonwitnessed conversations.

[mr.Curmudgeon]

Ok, next time he walks toward you, scream "I don't know you!" or "Give me back my purse!" and kick him in the ding-ding.

Then just plead insanity. You may end up with 3 hots and a cot!


mrC

[ChadTower]

"HE'S NOT MY DADDY!"

My brother actually yelled "She's not my mother" once when we were trying to get him out of the mall during a tantrum... we had more cops on us than if Dunkin Donuts was burning down.

[AceTKK]

Ok, next time he walks toward you, scream "I don't know you!" or "Give me back my purse!" and kick him in the ding-ding.

Then just plead insanity. You may end up with 3 hots and a cot!


mrC

bwahaha, "Thaaaat's my purse!"

[1zzy]

I think you should readjust your attitude towards Mumbles by just not giving a crap what he does/says. It sounds like he personally needs better communication skills on his part as you don't treat employees let alone individuals that way. I agree totally with the comments that if he makes comments regarding possible work things that you need to have him prioritize things for the day.

Like it was said before CYA - Cover Your Ass! If there are job assignments to get done for the day, get it put in writing and keep a log of your time for the day - that way you can show it to your BOSS and not Mumbles. Make up a simple form that has stuff like times, location, description etc. and then put a signature spot next to it. The reason I said the last column is because you can get clients to sign if you work in a location and if Mumbles changes his mind about things he happens to mention you have his signature showing his priorities clearly listed to boot to show your BOSS.

Ultimately, if you decided to keep this job and you implement this then you wil show that any problems are not on your end and on his. It will also make it clear to your BOSS that he is loosing a good woorker when you hand in your notice. As far as searchign for jobs, you should have plenty of time to make calls during lunch to other competitors to see about job openings. Schedule them for lunch-times and you should have no problem finding another job.

In the end, you have to be happy where you work or you'll resent going everyday. Good Luck!

[NIVO]

I dont recall me yelling, if you can infer that from written text, you must know the secret to all magic tricks too 

[Effayy]

Unfortunately you will find characters like mumbles in most work places. There are many strategies to deal with them. I tend to use good natured ribbing.

I agree on this one.

[ChadTower]

I find the easiest way to avoid such things is to be the most competent person there.  Be better at your job than those around you and people listen to you before they listen to others.

Makes life easier, in the long run, to produce high quality work.

I'm sure once Peale has been doing this as long as that jerkwad he will be substantially more skilled than jerkwad. 

[RetroJames]

"HE'S NOT MY DADDY!"

My brother actually yelled "She's not my mother" once when we were trying to get him out of the mall during a tantrum... we had more cops on us than if Dunkin Donuts was burning down.

That's a whuppin'

[ChadTower]

It certainly was.

[RayB]

Peale, there's no hope for you there. Find another op to work for. You have experience now.

Everyone suggesting how he could fight back. I don't see it happening. The way Peale described himself, he's the classic "nice guy" with anxiety problems when things get heated. That personality type is real easy to step all over if youre the Mumbles type. There could be recourses at a larger company, but when it's so small and Mumbles seems to have Boss wrapped around his finger, well there's no hope.

I think the only thing left to do would be to meet with the boss. Tell him everything that's been going on, then end the meeting with your resignation.

PS: You can also submit your story to: www.officepolitics.com   

[ChadTower]

Dear Office Politics, please teach me how to answer the following question:

Why are you choking me? 

[TMS]

Is the mumbles guy your "manager" if so it doesn't sound like he is very good at managing. I would go to his boss and tell him in a tactful manner that you know you are making some mistakes, but you think it is froma lack of managment. Explain to him that you are not getting direction from mumbly joe and therefore have to make decisions on your own as to how you spend your time project-wise.

[ChadTower]

Once again, for reference: 

One boss, three employees, no company structure.

That is the whole operation.

[markrvp]

Yeah, it sounds like everything that happens there is word of mouth.  I imagine the boss would rather hire someone new than have to write down job assignments. 

It also sounds like the boss feels like Mumbles will take care of whatever needs to be done.  When you have a boss like this that doesn't like to actually be at the job and/or have to be heavily involved, they will usually overlook a whole lot in someone like Mumbles as long as Mumbles gets the work done without hearing any complaints about him.

You're SOL until you become more valuable to the boss than Mumbles.

[missioncontrol]

Mumbles wouldn't be very important to the boss if he had a shattered knee cap.......

but anyway

If your planning on quitting stand up to the man. 3 different outcomes could occur.

He kicks your ass.
You kick his ass.
You both get fired.

hey doesn't matter if you get fired you were planning on quitting anyway.

[hyiu]

Hi Peale:

I'm sorry to hear your situation...
and quitting your job or not is your call...

but WHEREVER you go to work... whether its a 3 man company, or  a 30,000 employee corporation... there'll ALWAYS have things like this happens EVERYDAY.  And you'll alsways find someone like Mumble... company politics.. and these kinds of things simply goes hand in hand with all businesses.

What you'll need to do to those guys is to "strengthen" yourself...

stand up to them, and don't take crap from them....
there is NO blurring out if someone is accusing you....
Simply DENY it, but prepare to show proof...

It might sound not logical... if you decide to work there...
BE VERY DETAIL.... like the earlier post, ask for details, and if treated not fairly, and is being accused, BLOW UP ON HIM !!!
This is called a "Pattern interrupt"... that will interrupt his normal "Pattern" of stepping on you, and if you blow up on him bad enough, it will make him think twice before crossing the boundaries again....

guys like Mumble... if you are willing to stand up to them a few times, they'll know who they can step on, and who will put up a fight every time to make his "stepping on" NOT FUN and NOT EASY... and they'll back away from you...

whatever you decide, good luck to you...

[DrewKaree]

I think I found out that Mumbles has a cousin

I find the easiest way to avoid such things is to be the most competent person there.  Be better at your job than those around you and people listen to you before they listen to others.

[SirPeale]

So...on Monday, in anticipation of the boss chewing me out for the Skee incident and for my 'habit' of working on 'non-priority items'  I head to the boss' house, ultimately to get some prizes for some machines we just ordered, but also to get the chewing over with.  I drove the company van.

After his schpiel, he told me *exactly* what he wanted me to do with the prizes.  And as he'd JUST chewed me for "only retaining perhaps 80% of what I'm told" I paid particular attention to what he was telling me.

Now, once upon a time our company had three buildings at our facility.  They all call them first building (the office) second building (the pinball building) and the third building (the shop, and where the games are kept).

Some time ago the owner made an agreement with boss to have him give up the second building so a machine shop could take it's place.

But the designation has stood; first building and third building.

Since the machines were brand new, we wanted to run them, so the prizes needed to be loaded.  Boss showed me which boxes he wanted me to bring to the third building (and I marked them with an astrisk right in front of him), and then he said:

"you may as well leave the rest here, so the first building doesn't get cluttered."

Now, I've never called them first or third building; always the office and the shop.  So I know I wasn't imagining this.

I clarify: "here?" (pointing to the van).

Him: "yeah."

I do as he asks.

Yesterday, Mumbles and Cool Guy have to run to town to fix a jukebox, so they snag the van.  When they get back:

Mumbles: "Hey Peale, what's with the prizes in the van?"

Me: "Well, for whatever reason, boss wanted to keep them there."

Mumbles: "He did?"

Me: "His exact words were 'leave them here so the first building doesn't get cluttered.'"

Few hours later, I hear from Cool Guy that boss exclaims that he would have NEVER said that.  That I had misunderstood, and he wanted the prizes in the third building for testing, and the rest in the first.

So now I *really* look like I don't listen.  I just can't win.

[Bones]

Round about now I would start throwing the ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- at the fan big time. If you know you were in the right, put it to your boss. Review his own words to him and ask what the ---fudgesicle--- he expects.

Don't let these cocks walk over you man. It really is a matter of self respect now more than ever.

[menace]

sounds like your boss is an ass too.  if someone can't even admit to a small thing (because really its not like you misplaced a 30 million dollar order) then this SOB ain't worth working for--I would confront and depending how it goes quit or at the very least get back some self respect.  Some people actually like being told off or being stood up to--makes them think they hired a "tough" employee.  Of course he might like brown nosers and if thats the case get out of there pronto and work for his competition.

[DrewKaree]

Some people actually like being told off or being stood up to--makes them think they hired a "tough" employee.  Of course he might like brown nosers and if thats the case get out of there pronto and work for his competition.

Mumbles the ass hat sounds like anything BUT a brown noser, but you're right about the rest.

Having some prizes sitting in a van where they haven't caused ANY problems doesn't seem like anything to even comment on, much less defend "his position" on the whole situation.

It sounds like not only have you been sold down the river by Mumbles, but he took your oars and cut the fuel line to the motor. 

Self respect is easy to claim for any of us who don't have a problem speaking, but I'm guessing the more worked up Peale gets, the worse the problem will be, which will result in AssHat Inc believing they got the best of Peale no matter what he does, although bringing up the situation to the boss IS the way to handle this. 

I've never understood why people allow stuff to fester at work.  If it bugs someone, usually it's because of an incompetent person, you're doing the WORK for the incompetent person and not being compensated enough for doing 2 jobs at the same time, or you ARE being compensated enough for your job and you simply don't care enough to risk losing your well-compensated job.

Sounds as if you were looking for ideas here that'd go with what I think you've already made up your mind about.  Stop procrastinating, stop tying your innards up in knots, and get on with your life.  At the very least, your wife deserves a happy you, so enjoy your Thanksgiving, give thanks for realizing you need to get off the Ass Hat Express, and quit on Friday.

The decision to quit is just as hard as looking for another job, but way more freeing once you've done it.

[ChadTower]

That's probably the best advice given yet.

If you know what you need to do, just do it and get on with the rest of a good life.

[SirPeale]

Mumbles the ass hat sounds like anything BUT a brown noser, but you're right about the rest.

You couldn't be more wrong.  Swears at the boss whenever he's not around...kisses his ass big-time when he is.

[SirPeale]

That's probably the best advice given yet.

If you know what you need to do, just do it and get on with the rest of a good life.

Good advice from all.

I'm going to stick with it long enough to find something else.  If I quit now, I've got nothing to fall back on.

[mccoy178]

I worked at a place where we installed pool tables, swimming pools, and furniture.

[RandyT]

Peale, sorry to hear you are having problems at the job.

I've worked in everything from blue to white collar jobs, been self-employed and a mixture of all of them all at once.  I have about 22 years of work experience with many varieties of idiots, nincompoops, and jerks at the helm and on the floor next to and below me.  There are some tidbits of advice I can offer.

1)  Learn to shut it off.  I don't mean that you should "fiddle while Rome burns", but there are things that are important and things that aren't.  Learn to differentiate the two and live a separate life after quitting time.  All of the gut-wrenching and self-induced stress in the world will not change what is happening at work.  No point in putting yourself through it.

2)  Ask questions. Lots of questions.   Don't ever be afraid of "looking stupid".  This will do a number of things: it will enrich you and make you more valuable once you learn the answers.  It will help to avoid misunderstandings that will make you look stupid.  It shows the people you are asking the questions to that you respect the knowledge they have.  And, it shows the boss-man that you are trying to learn.  But be smart about how you do it.  Tact and diplomacy is important.  If you don't understand something, don't assume the answer is flawed because you don't understand it.  Ask a clarifying question or re-phrase the original one.  But you should try to understand the answers before moving on.  Also, try not to ask the same question over and over again.  Work to understand the principles behind the answers and learn how to apply them to different circumstances.  Even if you don't agree with them, you will at least be able to understand how the other guys are thinking, which will allow you to do some basic decision making of your own that won't tick them off.

3)  Do not question the pecking order.  The problem with dookheads who are over you is that they are over you.  They have years of experience working in the environment and sometimes have nearly non-severable relationships with higher-ups.  If they aren't complete morons, they will have an advantage over you in nearly every situation.  This doesn't mean that you don't have a chance of succeeding there, only that you may need to "pay your dues", "do your time" and basically grow yourself to the point where the dookhead will begin to view you as a "peer."   Does this mean you need to take his abuse until that happens?  Absolutely not.  Profanity and/or personal abuse is unacceptable, and you should do your best to convey that to "mumbles" without escalating the situation if at all possible.  You should also be sure that you can understand the difference between someone  who may be frustrated with your work performance, and someone who is coming down on you for no reason at all.  Some individuals are just "coarse" by nature and it's hard to see the legitimate criticism within the poor presentation.  But that doesn't make it less valid.  Once you earn some respect, then start working on fixing the stupid stuff (because by then, you'll know for sure if it really is stupid.)

4)  Don't waste your time with an unworkable situation unless you are willing to give up a big chunk of your soul in the process.  Sometimes, the benefits of "hanging in there" far outweigh the satisfaction of telling them where they can go and what they can do when they get there.  But sometimes, you have to call a duck, a duck and see that you may not be able to do what is asked of you (reasonable or not), or that the organization is just so completely out of control that continuing to be a part of it is a personal and professional net minus.  Make sure that you can honestly say to yourself that you did everything you could, and if you can say that without reservation, just move on without looking back.  Sticking it out long enough to find a new job is probably advisable though .


Anyway, I could write volumes on what I have seen, experienced, acted upon and the results of situations like these.  But ultimately, every situation and individual is unique, and you are the only one that can determine the best course of action for you.

Good luck,
RandyT

[RayB]

I've never had to deal with ---smurfy--- situations like this, but I have developed a habit due to the fact that whatever job I have had, I tend to juggle lots of tasks: I take notes.

It's not very hard to write down on a small notepad what tasks you need to do any given day. This would benefit you in many ways:

1. If you ARE screwing up, it will reduce the screw-ups since you can refer to your notes instead of relying on your memory.

2. Take down the notes in front of the person assigning you the tasks. If it's your boss, this will make you look diligent and organized.

3. If there's ANY ambiguity, ask for clarification right away. (Sounds like you do that already)

4. When you get stabbed in the back, you have proof that you weren't imagining things. You could have gone back to your boss (in private) and showed him, that he said to leave them in the First building.

It's ok to confront your boss sometimes. In a case like this, you really have nothing to lose, cuz either you shut up and be miserable, or you talk to the boss, and maybe some good comes out of it. If you're diplomatic and non-confrontational, it might work out. Especially when you show him the notebook he SAW you write in.

[Jabba]

Actually, the boss sounds like a bit of an ---sufferer of cranial-rectal-inversion--- himself. Sounds like you clarified things with him. Looking for another job will be a nice fresh start for you...

[SirPeale]

This sucks.  I'm about to walk out the door, and I just don't want to.  I hate feeling like this.  Heck, I couldn't even play my *own* arcade machines this weekend.

When a fun thing isn't fun anymore...

[ChadTower]

Take one shot at sitting down with the boss and addressing the whole situation.  Bring notes on paper if you have to, but be sure you bring up every point you need addressed.

The results of that meeting should be one of two things:

a) he understands your concerns and promises to take steps to address them / he understands your concerns and explains to your satisfaction why they cannot be changed

or

b) you resign

The job is worth taking that one last shot at working things out.  If you can't work them out that way then it is time to move on.

[mccoy178]

If you do have some sort of sit down with the boss, I think it would be really funny if you used arcade terms for everything.  Like when you resign, you could same something like, "game over" in an automated voice or the pacman noise when he gets ate.  Smash T.V. sound bites would probably apply as well.  "Great Prizes!" and "YEAH!!!"

Anyways.....................................................................................

[ChadTower]

Except that this meeting is for being taken seriously.

[RayB]

Take one shot at sitting down with the boss and addressing the whole situation.

[ChadTower]

It's true, which may be why he waits a month to have this conversation.  He doesn't have to have it tomorrow.  Line up a new job, get the offer, talk to current boss, stay/quit and take new job.

[DarkKobold]

3)

[SirPeale]

So someone I know told me a company down the road is hiring.  Went visiting after work today.

The company is Vermont Circuits.  I stopped by (personnell was closed) and found myself with this chick with a totally hot body.  She put me in touch with someone that knew what was going on, and he took my name and number down.

Positions available include a 'driver' which ferries the completed circuitboards to the customers for testing, and there is a lot of overtime available.  I'm already working a ton of it, but at a flat rate, so monetary compensation is a plus.  Will discuss everything tomorrow.

[ChadTower]

Nice!   

[Bones]

Good luck man.

[Jabba]

There ya go...nothing better than a fresh start.

I agree with Dark K as well on this item.....

[markrvp]

Good luck, I'm pulling for you!

[HaRuMaN]

I hope you get it...   

[Kremmit]

I hope you get it...   

The job, or the chick with the totally hot body?

[pointdablame]

I hope you get it...   

The job, or the chick with the totally hot body?

wouldn't we be proud about either one?

[DrewKaree]

I hope you get it...   

The job, or the chick with the totally hot body?

Somehow I'm guessing by your comments that one is better than the other, but no matter what way I look at it, I just don't see a downside to either one

[Zakk]

If you get this new job, pay attention and don't screw it up too this time

[SirPeale]

You guys shouldn't get too excited...all I've done is stop in and give them my name and number.

And Zakk:   

[SirPeale]

Just about out the door.  Goodie.  A whole day with Mumbles.

At least tomorrow I shouldn't see him at all.

[missioncontrol]

good luck with the new job prospect

[Nailz]

Wow Peale, just stepping into this one, but things sound like they really suck...

Having had a couple of jobs that just thinking about them made me want to vomit, I can heartily agree with what a lot of folks here have said.

1.  Start looking for a new job.  You have, that's awesome, good luck...

2.  Carry a notepad with you like someone else suggested, take it out right in front of your boss and write down everything he has to say.  He will either be impressed that you are making an effort to get everything he has to say or will realize he can't be as much of an a-hole because it's all in your notes and he can't back track.  Either way it's a good thing.

3.  Have a conversation with the boss and Mumbles one on one, write down your thoughts if you think you are going to have trouble getting them across.  Let them know you love the job, the seeming lack of communication between the 3 of you is making things difficult to say the least.  This is where the notebook comes in handy.

No one deserves to feel sick going to work, it's REALLY bad for you.  A boss that treats you like a sub-human doesn't deserve you, make him pay by stepping up and telling him what you need.  If he won't give it to you, then stick it to him by getting a new job.

Best of luck to you.

[ChadTower]

2.

[SirPeale]

Chad: I'd repeat it in front of him before hand to avoid confusion.

So...today Mumbles and I actually got a big shock.

We're sitting there, looking thru monitors for a Crusin' USA when all of a sudden about twenty women come thru our shop, pass us, and go into our back room where we store stuff that's not on the street.

We look at one another, and of course we follow.

Long story short: we're losing our warehouse space, and we're going to be getting more space somewhere else in the building.

Longer story: they're converting our space (and the space next to ours) into office space, and a greeting card company is moving in.  Lots of *very* attractive women going in there.

The good news is this: boss' wife wants to do as little work as possible moving the "junk" so guess what they want to do with it?  She mentioned eBay, but I figured it'd be better off going to people in this area.

No classics, just a lot of converted stuff, and a lot of junk.  I will post with more details IF anything ever comes of it.

[Kremmit]

Watch out, Peale!  You don't want to end up with 50+ junk games filling up your garage & gameroom.  Really, I swear, you don't.

[SirPeale]

I don't have the room!  But there will probably be others in the NE area that want cabs.

[nipsmg]

Peale:  I'll take a 27" std res monitor in great condition for free, thanks :-D  (damn brattleboro is a long drive from Branford, CT)

[SirPeale]

Peale:  I'll take a 27" std res monitor in great condition for free, thanks :-D  (damn brattleboro is a long drive from Branford, CT)

1) almost all 19" cabinets.  Some with monitors, some not.

2) Swanzey, NH, not Brattleboro, VT.

[JoyMonkey]

Put me down for a 19" cab with a monitor if possible. I think Swanzey is only about 2hrs away from me. 

[RetroJames]

Make sure and remind Peale via PM or something in a few days with all these requests.  We all know he won't remember in a couple of days!

mumble*grumble*mumble

[Havok]

I've got dibs on any Star Wars Trilogy machines, if you have them...

 

(Yeah, that'll happen...)

[ChadTower]

Chad: I'd repeat it in front of him before hand to avoid confusion.

I've dealt with people like this before (not saying your boss is one)... doesn't matter what they actually SAID, they simply claim they did not say it or have since changed their mind or made a mistake and now they will not admit it.  They go with "no, you're wrong" and talk over any logic.

[Stingray]

Chad: I'd repeat it in front of him before hand to avoid confusion.

I've dealt with people like this before (not saying your boss is one)... doesn't matter what they actually SAID, they simply claim they did not say it or have since changed their mind or made a mistake and now they will not admit it.  They go with "no, you're wrong" and talk over any logic.

I had a boss like that for a few years. Actually she was the assistant principal, and the principal knew shew was totally full of ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---, so I guess it's really not the same. Still I know it's very frustrating when your boss tells you to do something, you do it, and later she claims that you were told to do something else.

-S

[SirPeale]

THERE ARE NO CLAIMS TO BE MADE.

I don't even know if it'll happen.  Just because the wife wants to move some stuff doesn't mean the boss will actually do it.

And I get first dibs on the Xenophobe machine.

[RandyT]

3)  Do not question the pecking order.....  This doesn't mean that you don't have a chance of succeeding there, only that you may need to "pay your dues", "do your time" and basically grow yourself to the point where the dookhead will begin to view you as a "peer."  ....

Good luck,
RandyT

All very good advice from RandyT, but I have to argue this last point. I've learned one major thing in the recent months of my life. If someone has regarded you before as a "Subordinate" or an "Inferior", they will continue to regard you as such until they are out of your life. I recently went through a rather painful lesson having to learn this.

Respect is earned, not simply commanded.  There is little argument for this point.

Folks who walk into an organization thinking they have all the answers will quickly find themselves looking stupid or pissing off the rest of the people who work there.  You might be right in your assertions, but 9 times out of 10 the people whom you are "instructing" will already know everything you tell them.  Many times the organization is broken at a location that is virtually unreachable by those who are affected most by the dysfunction.  Likewise, people at one level of an organization often only "think" they have the answers, because they are not privy to all of the information. 

In any case, I'm sure that last paragraph doesn't apply to Peale, but there is only one way to gain true respect, and that is through actions.  This takes time to demonstrate.   And,  you can only be viewed as something other than "inferior" by gaining respect.

RandyT

[clanggedin]

Peale, If you get the Xenophobe cab or not.. I need a clean shot of the front instruction card that is on the neck. I purchased a kit froma guy and it missing that piece. I can't even find a good photo to create my own.

Even if you could write down what it says and PM it to me I would be greatly in your debt.

**sorry for hijacking your thread**

Godd luck with dealing with your retarded co-worker. It doesn't matter where you work. There will always be a "Mumbles" working there.

[ChadTower]

  Many times the organization is broken at a location that is virtually unreachable by those who are affected most by the dysfunction.

That's my position.  My job is hell at times because there is a whole level of coordination missing that is parallel to mine but in another part of the organization.

[SirPeale]

*sigh*

Mumbles is such an Ass Hat.  Really.

Had to work with him exclusively on Friday.  Everything the man does drives me to a point of insanity that is frusterating.

At one point he had me make a phone call to one of our locations.  No biggie.  He goes off to the 'thinking room'.  When I reach the other end, they ask to call back in five minutes, as they had a sudden rush of customers.  Also, no biggie.

I keep an eye on my watch, and when five minutes go by I figure I'll just hit 'redial' to call back, since it's the last number I dialed.

Redial, however, isn't obvious on this phone.  Mumbles walks back into the room.

"What are you doing?"

"Looking for the redial button."

"...Why?"

At this moment I basically go completely insane.  The whole day has been full of little moments like this. (I'll mention the donut later).

I look at him dead on.  "I dunno, Mumbles...why do you think I'd want to hit the redial button?  Maybe because...I dunno...I'd like to dial a number again?"

He did show me where it was, and yeah...it wasn't obvious.  Every button has its function printed on the top, but this is a dual function button, so it was printed just above the button.  But really..."...why?" *insert choking sounds here*

Luckily within ten minutes I had a new mission: to travel North to pull the computer out of an out-of-order Need For Speed GT.  Good thing too...I might just have killed him.  Or walked away.  I dunno which.

[SirPeale]

Yeah...the donut.  Almost forgot.

On Wednesday we all went to a post show, where vendors show off their new products.

I had a box of donuts in the fridge.  Get them out.

Mumbles says "Hey, donuts, let's take them with us."

I say "You can have *one*."

He doesn't say anything - to me - but takes a donut and starts eating.

Aparently he made several quips to Cool Guy throughout the day about this.  I had no clue.  He let me know about it the next day.

So I had one last donut in the fridge, and planned on eating it after lunch on Friday.  I had a mild case of heartburn, and took some stuff in front of him.  He asked what it was, I told him.  Then I headed to the shop.

I'm working on...something, I forget what...he walks in, and in front of me, pops the last bite of donut in his mouth.  "I didn't think you'd mind, since you have an upset stomach and all,"

WTF?!?  Did you even ask?

I've been devising ways to get even with this ---tallywhacker---, but so far I'm coming up empty.

[mccoy178]

Ah, just walk away.  The dude is a waste of sperm.

[missioncontrol]

perhaps you should invest in another box of donuts and a large quantity of ex-lax....

it'll give hime plenty of time to be in the "thinking room"

[RayB]

I dunno, why did you feel it necessary to tell him how many donuts he could have? He probably took that as a challenge. (ie: you: "you can have ONE", him thinking: "oh yeah? we'll see about that"). I mean really, what are you his mother? You didn't need to say anything. Then if you got wherever and the box was empty, well, it's not your doing, is it?

Sorry, but I'm just hearing pettyness here. You being sarcastic to him, and him obviously getting back at you. Thing is, he's probably getting a kick out of what he does, while for you it's eating you up inside-out!

(the always-opinionated Ray B.  )

[SirPeale]

I dunno, why did you feel it necessary to tell him how many donuts he could have?

Because they're *my* freaking donuts.

And believe me, spend some time around this guy, you'll feel the same way.  I don't know one person that actually likes him.  One day he was at the shop for like five minutes, walked out, and someone had keyed his car.  (no, it wasn't me).  And he doesn't even deal with many people around the shop area.  We have locations that refuse to deal with him because he's such a dick.

[mr.Curmudgeon]

I'm working on...something, I forget what...he walks in, and in front of me, pops the last bite of donut in his mouth.  "I didn't think you'd mind, since you have an upset stomach and all,"

WTF?!?  Did you even ask?

I've been devising ways to get even with this ---tallywhacker---, but so far I'm coming up empty.

Simple.  Ex-Lax coated donuts.

EDIT: Doh! I see MC beat me to it.


mrC

[RayB]

Because they're *my* freaking donuts.

And believe me, spend some time around this guy, you'll feel the same way.  I don't know one person that actually likes him.  One day he was at the shop for like five minutes, walked out, and someone had keyed his car.  (no, it wasn't me).  And he doesn't even deal with many people around the shop area.  We have locations that refuse to deal with him because he's such a dick.

Heheh oh ok. It sounded like the donuts were ment for clients or something.  Hey, have you noticed a forum member named "mumbles" signed up recently?
 

[ChadTower]

FWIW, I met dude at the aforementioned Vendor show... he does seem like a dickwad. 

OTOH, he's mid 40ish and not physically imposing at all.  He's not any bigger than Peale.  Peale should just pieface him.

[mairsil]

Coworker and boss suck.

I know that I am getting in late, but I feel that you should know a few things. Foremost is that your boss is breaking the law by paying you as an "independent contractor." From all of your descriptions here, your position does not qualify as being independent. Regardless of how the boss wants to pay you, he can not just classify you as a contractor and be done with it. There are certain legal requirements that must be met to do so. Because of that, he is, at the minimum, breaking several federal and (most likely) state/local laws regarding the payment of taxes, FICA and unemployment insurance. If he were to fire you, you would have the right to sue him for failing to pay into your unemployment.

I worked in an environment similar to yours. Mine was an engineering department with a few other engineers who didn't know their ass from a hole in the ground, and a manager who would regularly redefine history. Not only would blame be placed on people who did exactly what he wanted, he would start yelling and screaming. This constitutes employee abuse and is also illegal in many areas. Hell, one of my coworkers was literally almost worked and screamed to death (hospitalized with chest pains). My wife made me quit. 

Your job will not get any better. It is easy to say "don't let it get to you," but it is not easy to do it. You will not get any happier while those people are working there. I know these things from experience. Your best bet is to find another job or consider starting your own company. Alternately, you could consult a lawyer and see if you can sue your boss for compensation. 

[missioncontrol]

go to his house and give him the ol top tank treetment

[Dartful Dodger]

go to his house and give him the ol top tank treetment

An upper deck.

[DrewKaree]

Don't forget the curtains!  For the love of Pete man, whatever you do, DON'T FORGET THE CURTAINS!

[Dartful Dodger]

Peeing in the shampoo bottle is an oldie but a goodie.

[missioncontrol]

go to his house and give him the ol top tank treetment

An upper deck.

teh kewl kids call it top tank

[quarterback]

I know that I am getting in late, but I feel that you should know a few things. Foremost is that your boss is breaking the law by paying you as an "independent contractor."

Whoa now.  You're being paid as an independent contractor??  WTF?  I must have missed that somewhere.   Does he tell you where to do your work?   Does he tell you how and when your work is to be done?  Do you have to show up at specific times that he's laid out?  Are you required to stay until specific times while doing your work?  Does he tell you where to go?

---fudgesicle--- that, if you answered yes to those questions above, mairsil is absolutely correct.  You're not an independent contractor, you're an employee and HE needs to be paying FICA, not you.   

[RayB]

Alot of companies do this. It's pretty damn common in computer related jobs, where you get hired as "a contractor" to kinda test the waters (and avoid red tape--or so it seems).

Here in Ontario, if someone employed in this status got laid off and they went and filed for unemployment, they'd get it, and then the employer would get a nasty call from the employment ministry. AND guess what? All those taxes that were not withheld and paid... Not the employees problem. The employer would then owe the unpaid taxes!! It's a great way to screw a company when they screw you by "downsizing" you!
 

[quarterback]

Alot of companies do this. It's pretty damn common in computer related jobs, where you get hired as "a contractor" to kinda test the waters (and avoid red tape--or so it seems).

In my experience, it's primarily done here to avoid paying taxes and it's more frequently done by small mom-and-pop or young entrepenuerial small businesses.   I'm sure big companies do it as well, but I've never personally seen it.  They don't want to deal with the potential legal issues. 

As far as testing the waters, it's really not that difficult to hire a part-time employee or to hire somebody for a finite amount of time and then re-up with them at a later date if they pass muster.   Treating employees as independent contractors is against the law.  And beyond that, it's simply unfair to the worker.

That being said, there are a number of computer related jobs which really are legitimate contract work. 

Here in Ontario, if someone employed in this status got laid off and they went and filed for unemployment, they'd get it, and then the employer would get a nasty call from the employment ministry. AND guess what? All those taxes that were not withheld and paid... Not the employees problem.

Yeah, but it's already the employee's problem if they're working there prior to, and after, tax time.

It's fine that somewhere down the road you might get to stick it to the company, but what does that really matter if you've been paying 15% of your annual salary out of your pocket every April?   

If you're making $20,000/year, that's an extra $3,000 you're dropping this month.  And if you're only making $20,000 a year, that $3k hurts a lot.

[Bones]

Burn him. With petrol. Just remember ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- stinks when it is on fire and you don't want to go inhaling a flaming mumble now do you.....

[mairsil]

Alot of companies do this. It's pretty damn common in computer related jobs, where you get hired as "a contractor" to kinda test the waters (and avoid red tape--or so it seems).

Here in Ontario, if someone employed in this status got laid off and they went and filed for unemployment, they'd get it, and then the employer would get a nasty call from the employment ministry. AND guess what? All those taxes that were not withheld and paid... Not the employees problem. The employer would then owe the unpaid taxes!! It's a great way to screw a company when they screw you by "downsizing" you!
 

I cannot acount for Canadian law, only US. Yes, a lot of companies classify workers as independent contractors for tax reasons, and a lot of those companies are breaking the law. The couple of items that quaterback listed are pretty much the litmus test that courts use to determine whether or not an employee is really a contractor. Everything that I have read here indicates that Peale is getting screwed six ways to Sunday.

[Zakk]

I'm an 'independant contractor' as a real estate agent.  I PAY to be in my office.  In fact, I pay rent for my office, charges for my line services, salary to my secretary, portions for the federal pension plan, my own insurance and everything.  However, I have absolutely no boss, well at least one that tells me when to show up to work, when to take breaks, when to go home, how much to sell, or anything even remotely like that.  I think if you are told a set time to work, and given exact tasks, you are an employee.


That said, money is money, it all spends the same no matter how you make it, and if Peale is okay with the arrangement, who are we to question?

[JackTucky]

I know that I am getting in late, but I feel that you should know a few things. Foremost is that your boss is breaking the law by paying you as an "independent contractor." From all of your descriptions here, your position does not qualify as being independent. Regardless of how the boss wants to pay you, he can not just classify you as a contractor and be done with it. There are certain legal requirements that must be met to do so. Because of that, he is, at the minimum, breaking several federal and (most likely) state/local laws regarding the payment of taxes, FICA and unemployment insurance. If he were to fire you, you would have the right to sue him for failing to pay into your unemployment.

A job is a privelige.  Not an entitlement. 

If he doesn't like the setup, he can go elsewhere.  Of course, he could waste his time and resources and report the bastard who is breaking the law.

Guess what?  The whole world breaks the law.  Ever hire a landscaper?  A drywaller?  Ever hire someone to pick the crops?    They are mostly all illegal aliens.

Blecch.  Employees who want to call the goverment instead of moving on.  what a treat.

Jacktucky "never hired an independent  contractor and paid his taxes"

[mairsil]

A job is a privelige.  Not an entitlement. 

If he doesn't like the setup, he can go elsewhere.  Of course, he could waste his time and resources and report the bastard who is breaking the law.

Guess what?  The whole world breaks the law.  Ever hire a landscaper?  A drywaller?  Ever hire someone to pick the crops?    They are mostly all illegal aliens.

The problem is that too many bosses seem to think this way. While I don't argue that a job is a privilege, there are laws specifically enacted to prevent employee abuse and misuse. Yes, it would cost Peale some time and money to talk to an attorney and that must be his decision if he wants to. I simply mentioned how his boss is breaking the law.

Blecch.  Employees who want to call the goverment instead of moving on.  what a treat.

Be thankful that these people do exist or else all factory work in the US would be in sweatshop form. Too many companies regularly break the law without repercussions. Just look at what Enron and Arthur Anderson did to their employees and clients. Hell, one of the places I used to work fired people for taking sick days that they rightfully had to use and constantly violated OSHA regulations, which resulted in unnecessary and costly injuries to the employees.

Some people will want to just quit/get fired and move on. Some will want to make sure that what happened to them will not happen to anyone else. That is their choice and no one should begrudge them that choice.

[SithMaster]

I liked it better when people were giving ideas on how to make Mumbles suffer (did he star in Dick Tracy by chance).  Maybe get him drunk and put a lighter in his mouth so his insides catch fire.

I can kinda relate to Peale's situation.  Theres someone i really hate in two of my classes and i see him always standing outside one of my other class.  He really he must crave attention or to look tough or something because everytime i see him he calls me out.  Its clear he wants the attention because its always in front of his friends and hes a total coward because when i confronted him he backed off to regroup.

But the advice given so far sounds good though make it show that you dont care what Mumbles says or does.  And for your employer have him send you emails with the tasks to be done the day before and record phone calls so you have proof he is trying to make you life hell.

Good luck with your job and yeah i know this topic is madd old but still good luck.

[sez]

Make some time to talk to the boss about your take on things.  Explain to him that you love what you do and have the company's best interests at heart.

As a boss, it's his role to get some sort of resolution between you and Mumbles.  You have to take charge of the situation and make the first move, whatever that may be.

[missioncontrol]

If he doesn't like the setup, he can go elsewhere.  Of course, he could waste his time and resources and report the bastard who is breaking the law.

Guess what?  The whole world breaks the law.  Ever hire a landscaper?  A drywaller?  Ever hire someone to pick the crops?    They are mostly all illegal aliens.

I worked for a guy called "Clammer Dave" once while working Drywall.... I'm pretty sure he wasn't an illegal alien

[JackTucky]

Did the "Clammer" have any illegals working for him?

Obviously, these aren't hard and fast rules. 

I heard there are some IT people who aren't fat too.  What's next? 

Jacktucky

[missioncontrol]

no... he found hiring crack addicts was cheaper....

[DrewKaree]

I heard there are some IT people who aren't fat too.  What's next? 

Jacktucky

These pernicious lies have GOT to stop!

[Havok]

I heard there are some IT people who aren't fat too.  What's next? 

Jacktucky

These pernicious lies have GOT to stop!

It's true I say! I'm living proof! You too can achieve your dreams!

Beefcake! Beefcake!

P.S. Ummm, Jack - you must be a southerner - we hire Americans here in new england to do those jobs...

[SirPeale]

It's amazing how you can have a really good day overall, and one freaking even just knocks it down to crap.

Flashback: this past Friday.  Cool Guy and Mumbles have to pick up some equipment.  Before he goes, Cool Guy hands me a K7000 monitor chassis, says it has issues, and can I fix it?  I say sure.

It's got cold solder joints all over, and weirder, it looks like the solder has actually melted a bit on some of the joints, mostly in the area of the power supply.  No biggie, I resolder it all.  Everything looks ship-shape.  Plug it in, okay....1/2 the screen is dark, 1/2 is light.  Replace cap C57, and all is well!  Beautiful picture.  I run it all day on the test bench with no issues.  Up all day long.

Flash to about six last night.  Cool Guy and I are out picking up some equipment, Mumles is doing his route work.  He calls Cool Guy, bitching that the monitor chassis I fixed didn't work.  "It's not ready!  Freaking thing doesn't work!"

Says it won't fire up, it's just sitting there.  Starts complaining that there are broken joints on the video connector.

BULL-ONY.  It worked flawlessly when I had it on the test bench, and all the joints were fine.

Cool Guy and I talked about it a bit after Mumbles hung up on him, and we're guessing in usual form, he was far rougher with the equipment than he should be, and probably broke the joints himself, as well as some other damage.  Cool Guy speculates he likely messed up the sattelite control  and blew the HOT.

I'm just so freaking tired of this guys crap.  And I *really* don't want to have to put up with his crap all day.  Heck, I don't want to put up with it at all, but...*shrug*

[PCtech]

I feel for ya..sounds like it's pretty much  all day long when having to deal with Mumbles.

Sounds like it's time to sh*t, or get off the pot.

I had/have a similar situation, but it is with a "peer" that is a "tard", but the boss is a push-over (no balls).  "Tard" makes trouble in the dept, only get's half the work done of everyone else, but "tard" is a social friend of the executives...so basically his screw-ups/laziness get totally ignored, and the rest of the dept has to clean it up.   

I've been at my job for about 7 years, and it's good.  Last year, has been rough because of "tard".  Multiple talks w/ management, 1 talk with "tard", and I'm still at the same place.   

Only option left for me is to leave, or put up with it.

If I didn't have 4 kids,wife,mortgage, I'd tell them exactly where to shove this job, but jobs that pay this well, for what I do, are few and far between.  Also, I've got some 401K built up, 3 weeks of vacation a year, some small perks. 

But basically, staying here is the "less of 2 evils".

So, decide which evil is "bigger" and KILL it.  Either leave, or stay....but make the decision and commit to it.  Trust me...you will feel the pressure ease, and you wil be able to relax more, and not get that "knot in the stomach" feeling whenever you have to deal with Mumbles.

And if you decide to leave, take plenty of time to make sure "Mumbles" knows exactly why...

Good luck, and be true to yourself.   

[nullb0y]

heh some of the problems seem like you have a slight problem following a list of instructions
like you will miss a small detail and it becomes something else your doing.
i have had the same problem
i worked at a grocery store and they moved me to produce and prep so whenever they told me how to makesoemthing id allways mess up so aftar that point i just said fusk it and wrote it down or MADE THEM write it all down for me to do.
it usually led to things getting done properly and completly
but yah for lots of reasons i quit that sheit job
 
do your best to find anouther job
or make the guy think ur his best friend then when he messes up make shure the boss knows

[SirPeale]

OMG OMG OMG...it was the freaking BEST today.

So I got to work, figuring I'm going to hear about the monitor first thing.

Wasn't first, but he did mention it early on...but he was in a good mood, so...

Turns out he pulled the ENTIRE monitor, just in case it was the tube. 

Earlier he had to clean out his car, so I offered to take the monitor to the shop.

He was all like "You know what?  I'll go with you, I want to hook this puppy up!"

I carry it to the shop, he follows.

We get in the shop, he announces to Cool Guy "okay, okay, clear a space, we're gonna test this thing" making a big deal out of it and everything.

We pop it on the test bench, then suddenly he whole demeanor changes.  "Jeeze...it's gonna fire right up, isn't it...ah, crap..."

Plug it in and...nothing.  "Hah!  See?  That's what it was doing!"

Cool Guy looks down.  "You didn't plug in the yoke."

Mumbles: "*What* yoke?"

Cool Guy plugs it in, and fires it up.  Viola!  Perfect picture!

Mumbles swears he plugged it in, and we think we know what happened.  Right next to the yoke plug there's a cap, guessing he got inbetween the plug and the cap, so it *felt* snug, but wasn't plugged in.

He got real quiet after that, and I doubt I'll ever hear another word about it.

 

[SithMaster]

see stupid people usually deal with themselves in time.  maybe next time he can touch the back of a decased monitor while its plugged in.

[SirPeale]

see stupid people usually deal with themselves in time.  maybe next time he can touch the back of a decased monitor while its plugged in.

In our line of work, we do that all the time.  It's no big deal.

Now if a heavy piece of equipment were to fall...

[Zakk]

I used to have a job that I hated, and even though I didn't mean to, I used to ---smurfette--- about it at home, or at least let the negative feelings come home with me.  My wife HATED me during what we call 'the black period'.  Just be careful that you're not dumping negative emotion on your family.  I didn't realize I was doing it at the time, but I can sure see it now that I  look back. 


Just trying to keep the home fires happy bro.

[mrhowell]

keep the bitching coming. 

[Zakk]

Oh yeah, I didn't mean stop bitching HERE, just don't take it home   We like it!