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Advocating for yourself at work
I was told by my boss' boss to "advocate for myself." I am not getting what I need from my boss (state job so going over someone's head is deeply frowned upon).
What does this mean to you?
I am not getting what I need from my boss in order to do my work properly. He delays my work. He is not experienced in this part of the job (the legal aspect). I am 3rd in seniority however of those 3 I have the most experience and knowledge in the legal field. He tells me to do things and they are wrong. I tell him they are wrong and he tells me that it is no big deal. He likes to do things the "easy" way and the quick way. The only person within our section that he treats appropriate is the male member (yells at the females when they call out sick and literally jumped up and down and pumped his arms when the male member called out. He was hooting and hollering and saying "good for him").
I'm at a loss of what to do.
Re: Advocating for yourself at work
Try going to HR. You may need to start documenting his actions, not just to give the state grounds for dismissal on him but to protect yourself - he sounds like the type who could turn it around & really make you look bad.
Normally I'd say sit down with him and explain exactly what you need from him & make sure there's a 3rd party there to witness this conversation (I know, awkward), but I think that could make him treat you worse.
Are the things he's telling you to do illegal or the wrong procedure for legal matters? If so, that's a big deal & HR definitely needs to know about it, especially since you went to boss' boss to address the issues.
I already filed a complaint. It was defined to be a "managerial issue". Several others in past sections he had also filed complaints. I have sat down and told him what I need and why. He places blame. He tells me to the wrong procedure. He changes the documents to go against court standards. He is never ever wrong. He will always place blame.
Just the other day he went against his own procedure that he set because stuff hit the fan.
I also pointed out to him that he provided someone with the wrong document (not updated) and he said "it's no big deal, just erase that line and move on."
I would then ask HR how many complaints before action is taken, so that you have a better understanding. Until then, if there are specific instances you can document, I would file a complaint for each and every one. At some point, something would need to be done I would guess (?)
This guy sounds like a loose cannon, and especially in the legal field the state is opening itself up to a huge amount of risk by putting someone in charge who wants to take the easy way out vs. doing it right.
Your boss's boss concerns me. You told him what you're telling us now, and he's telling you to advocate for yourself?
How much of your boss's inconsistencies, errors, etc. can you demonstrate in writing? Do you have e-mails from him stating incorrect instcutions? If so, start saving and pritning them. I would also begin logging any and all concerning interactions.
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