People Making My Job Difficult
By Jacki87
@Jacki87 (44)
August 10, 2008 10:04am CST
I work in a pet store (fun, fun) and I am only a supervisor. Not a manager. Unfortunately I seem to be the easiest person to talk to in the work force. Many of the younger folks that I work with will come to me when they have a problem with someone or something and I don't really know how to tell them that there's really nothing that I can do for them. The manager(s) in our store are a little uptight and VERY unfriendly so I can understand why they (the younger employees) will come to me with their problems, but what I don't think they realize is that when they do that, and if I do decide to say something to one of the higher-ups, it makes said higher-ups mad that this employee did not come to them with their problem. This results in the employee getting an ear full from the manager about not bringing their problem straight to them, and then that same employee is more determined not to talk to that or any other manager. So now I have to find ways to solve their problems without consulting with the higher-ups and risk getting my behind chewed for not bringing the problem to their attention. Does anyone understand how frustrating this is becoming? I just don't know if I can deal with it much longer but how on Earth do I turn a blind eye to the problems of those around me?
4 responses
@Theresam (1177)
• United States
10 Aug 08
Are they coming to you with work problems? If so as a supervisor you need to determine whether the issue needs to be escalated to the manager. Go with a solution and the manager will probably say thanks.
this is a good opportunity for you since these employees consider you approachable.
If there are personal problems, stay out of them as much as possible in your work life.
@Jacki87 (44)
•
16 Aug 08
Most of them are work problems. If they make a mistake and they don't know how to fix it they come to me because I am less likely to chew them a new one for it. But here lately they are becoming issues with the other people in the work place. If one doesn't like the other I am hearing all about it and how they are making work very difficult for each other. I have decided recently to take the problem to the big boss and aparrently they have been seeing the mistakes and the BS and they are just as over it as I am. The only good thing that has come of it is that the boss has also seen how well I handle the problems and the adversity and he has made it known that my actions and help will not go unrewarded or unnoticed. That's good. Those who couldn't do their job right without coming to me have been remanded and they know that they either have to roll with the punches and be able to deal with things on their own or they go. So I guess my problem days are over.
@easymoney75503 (1702)
• United States
10 Aug 08
i can really understand i have been in that spot before and well it is not easy. depending on what the issues are. i found ways to deal with alot of them without having to go to the upper management but there were alot that i could not solve without them of course. first and formost you have to decide which ones you can handle without it coming back and bitting you in the butt. example this person and this person arent getting along. dont go to them as a boss but go to them as a friend and see if you can help them come to common ground. now for the issues that you can not handle without upper staff apporval etc then just tell the kid hey i cant do anything but i can go with you to talk to upper and see if that helps lets go together. you can also try and talk to the upper and just tell them look alot of times the younger ones are coming to me cause i am around them more and they are comfartable with me i dont mind but some are not sure how to approach you and we need to find a way to make it easier for them i think or maybe let me be a go between for you. some uppers understand that and some were there once to if they think about it. best thing is good luck and just make sure your butt is covered too.
@YoungInLove (1254)
• Canada
10 Aug 08
I know what you mean, my assistant manager is so uptight that I am really uncomfortable to be around her let alone tell her my concerns so I avoid it all together. Im not sure what you should do abut thsi problem unless you tell someone or try to work your way up the ladder to get manager or something (cause apparently the other one isnt so good at it)
@sutanhartanto (4122)
• Indonesia
10 Aug 08
hi there,
i am not sure what to say. i think you can take you problems as a challenge, or even an opportunity to raise your career. if other employee like to talk to you, it means they like you and maybe you have some requested qualities of a leader. and maybe they (the other employee) will be happy if you are promoted to be their manager. good luck.
