Current Events > Just denied this unethical request from my immediate supervisor.

(+) Yeah! (+)

He sent me an email subject: important stuff, which was a list of things

The last paragraph was along the lines of "please, please, stop telling your team what the work load is going to be each day. If they ask, tell them it's not important, they just need to get the job done and you focus on cutting down on any time spent unproductively."

We're the number 1 team in our district. IDK why he's so worried that we don't spend our time productively. Our store manager (his boss) praises me constantly about how I've turned the team around and tells me I'm one of the best leaders he's ever known.

I replied with the following email, with a copy of his original message, highlighting the comment I spoke of above: "I do not agree about not disclosing the work load size with my team. This is not how I communicate with my team."

My reply was sent to both him and our store manager (who always has my back). I can't wait to get back and hear about it. I'm sure he's already been talked to about it by the store manager.

Don't know if I'd class that as an unethical request so much as a stupid one

I'd be annoyed not knowing what the picture of the day was looking like

I'm happy for you.

Or sorry that happened.

I wonder why hed object to this

You did the right thing, be ready for him to try and be a shithead by making things difficult for you now.

boomgetchopped3 posted...

I wonder why hed object to this

Extremely charitable take: some people are easily overwhelmed and do better with at ask to do, rather than seeing an entire project and feeling stressed about it.

pinky0926 posted...

Don't know if I'd class that as an unethical request so much as a stupid one

I'd be annoyed not knowing what the picture of the day was looking like

In the heat of the moment, I almost sent a more emotional, unprofessional reply: "Don't tell me how to talk to my team. Next time, my key will be on the desk."

I probably would have gotten a bad talk about that. But if the leader that turned the team around to #1 were to quit because of his stupidity, his ass would be in so much shit. I fantasized pretty hard.

RiKuToTheMiGhtY posted...

You did the right thing, be ready for him to try and be a shithead by making things difficult for you now.

That is so him. But I'm a tough cookie, and his boss likes me more than him. It will just be a new challenge, like every day is. But the right people are on my side.

God_of_6strings posted...

In the heat of the moment, I almost sent a more emotional, unprofessional reply: "Don't tell me how to talk to my team. Next time, my key will be on the desk."

I probably would have gotten a bad talk about that. But if the leader that turned the team around to #1 were to quit because of his stupidity, his ass would be in so much shit. I fantasized pretty hard.

Those fantasies are fun but actually threatening to leave because you feel emotional just puts you in a weaker position, imo

I'm sure you know that though

pinky0926 posted...

Those fantasies are fun but actually threatening to leave because you feel emotional just puts you in a weaker position, imo

I'm sure you know that though

You're right. I won't threaten to quit. If that day comes, I'll just quit, and our boss will know why. He will be in SO much shit.

Having my emergency fund saved up, having backup plans, and having the right people on my side gives me so much power.

Thanks for thinking of your workers TC.

boomgetchopped3 posted...

I wonder why hed object to this

He's literally the kind of boss that thinks people are just numbers, and that leaving the human side out of management is the most effective method. Since our new store manager came along, he's gotten in trouble for this sort of thing multiple times.

Also, he thinks that because I've been civil with him since he became my supervisor, that I'll just do what he says because he said it. He's wrong. My leadership is not going to be reflective of his values. I was given this position because our boss trusted me, not him.

pinky0926 posted...

Those fantasies are fun but actually threatening to leave because you feel emotional just puts you in a weaker position, imo

I'm sure you know that though

Ive found that threatening to quit is not as effective as just making it clear what other offers you have on the table at any given time.

Logistics? This sounds like logistics. If so you definitely made the right choice. When I worked logistics at Target, they had this mentality of whether its a 800 unit truck or 2800 unit truck, and whether we had 20 people or 10 people, it had to be done in four hours. I only lasted half a year there, like most jobs.

BDSMKane posted...

Logistics? This sounds like logistics. If so you definitely made the right choice. When I worked logistics at Target, they had this mentality of whether its a 800 unit truck or 2800 unit truck, and whether we had 20 people or 10 people, it had to be done in four hours. I only lasted half a year there, like most jobs.

Yes. And our store manager understands this. My immediate supervisor does not.

TC sounds like a great team leader, respects his people, stands up to dumb requests from above

PiOverlord posted...

Thanks for thinking of your workers TC.

bfslick50 posted...

TC sounds like a great team leader, respects his people, stands up to dumb requests from above

Thank you

So your supervisor basically went "that thing that turned you into one of, if not the best teams we have? Stop that.". Don't think the request is unethical but he certainly took a few shots to the head from the idiot stick.

If it's working, let it work. Good job TC.

Glob posted...

Ive found that threatening to quit is not as effective as just making it clear what other offers you have on the table at any given time.

One of the most baller things I ever saw was a guy I worked with asking his director for a day off and when asked (casually) what he was up to he simply replied that he had a job interview for a competitor. No malice, no pettiness - just honest.

The existing company went into full crisis mode and ended up offering him an extra 20k on his salary.

God_of_6strings posted...

In the heat of the moment, I almost sent a more emotional, unprofessional reply: "Don't tell me how to talk to my team. Next time, my key will be on the desk."

I probably would have gotten a bad talk about that. But if the leader that turned the team around to #1 were to quit because of his stupidity, his ass would be in so much shit. I fantasized pretty hard.

this would have been a huge overreaction, glad you didnt respond this way

good on you though for standing up to him. looking forward to if theres a response

BDSMKane posted...

Logistics? This sounds like logistics. If so you definitely made the right choice. When I worked logistics at Target, they had this mentality of whether its a 800 unit truck or 2800 unit truck, and whether we had 20 people or 10 people, it had to be done in four hours. I only lasted half a year there, like most jobs.

tbqh I miss doing truck at Target some times.

no thinky; just throw heavy things.

that's not unethical

GuerrillaSoldier posted...

that's not unethical

Yes it is.

BrohammedAli posted...

tbqh I miss doing truck at Target some times.

no thinky; just throw heavy things.

Me too. The work itself was actually cathartic.

The problem was always those in charge and coworkers who didnt try. I usually quit or get fired within 6 months at any job, because I cant stand it and get out, or I snap and get removed.

Only maintained one job longer than that, and lasted over a decade. But I was sub contracted, worked alone, and had considerable leeway. I excelled until 2016 and the many things that happened started breaking me down.

Unsuprised_Pika posted...

Yes it is.

how?

AlCalavicci posted...

how?

Treating your workers disrespectfully is unethical.

Trying to make sure they work every last second is unethical.

Unsuprised_Pika posted...

Treating your workers disrespectfully is unethical.

Bingo!

BrohammedAli posted...

tbqh I miss doing truck at Target some times.

no thinky; just throw heavy things.

Trust me, the manager has to do a LOT of thinking.

I do miss the stress-free days before I was the manager, and it was just as you described. As long as I didn't stop moving, it was impossible to be doing anything wrong.

Welp, I've had one interaction with my immediate supervisor since this happened, and the only notable thing is that he was very overly friendly when he saw me. I like to think he had a conversation with the store supervisor in which I was backed up, but I have no proof.

Where do you work tc

Exciting times at the Target garden center.

My guess: "If you tell them all they have to do, they'll do that and stop and think they can't do more!"