Last week my boss told me to, "stop working efficiently and the way I work" so that he can go to upper management to to justify another hire to help my team.

12 Comments

1. CMP_88November 6,2022 at 10:03PM UTC

   Have you had a raise for that efficient work? Did you ask him why he would rather hire, onboard, and train another person, rather than appreciate your good work and reward you for it? Sounds like he's a little threatened by you, as in, if you keep doing your thing, perhaps you'll have HIS job soon! Not knowing more about your situation, I would wonder what would happen if you posed this question to your HR manager. I know, though, you probably don't want to throw him under the bus, but why does he feel justified in asking you to change your work ethic and efficiency?

2. AnonymousNovember 8,2022 at 4:31PM UTC

   Re: you had a raise for that efficient work?.

   of course not! i agree 100% with everything you said. i have been to HR once already for another reason and you know how that is, especially with his friend being his boss. its a no win situation. just not sure how to respond to someone asking me to do this - it goes against everything ive ever worked for career.

   he wants me to change my work ethic and efficiency for his own agenda thats what i think

3. CMP_88November 8,2022 at 10:08PM UTC

   It's definitely not a good look for his leadership. I sympathize with you, and hope for the best in the situation. You sound amazing, so keep your head up, and stay focused on the work you do and the way you do it. If I were a gambler, I'd say the new guy (boss's buddy) won't have the same work ethic you do. Best of luck!

4. Sharon McElroyNovember 11,2022 at 2:33PM UTC

   I would not do as he asked. Next thing you know you will be placed on a PIP and shown the door. As previously posted document everything and I hope you have a friend in HR. Remember also HR is there to protect the company, not you.

5. KatNovember 7,2022 at 10:40PM UTC

   Is there enough work that another person is actually needed in your area? I'm wondering if he has someone in mind that he wants to hire (friend, golf buddy, girlfriend, family member, etc.) and is trying to find a way to justify it. That's not your problem. Maybe you should look around the company (or outside it) for other opportunities where your efficiency would be more appreciated.

6. AnonymousNovember 8,2022 at 4:27PM UTC

   yes, you guessed it, this is exactly what is going on...its an old friend he even said who it is. you're right its not my problem but when i challenge him he gets defensive.

   with regards to looking outside - i cant wait to find a new work opportunity. i have been trying to find a new role for 2 years now but with covid it has been challenging.

7. Stephanie F, MSHRMNovember 11,2022 at 1:36PM UTC

   I can tell you first hand that doing it won’t work and only backfires on the person who needs help.

   And what is he going to do anyway, reprimand you for doing good work if you don’t do what he says?

8. AnonymousNovember 11,2022 at 1:39PM UTC

   I really hope you have an HR department and not some half-thought-out relegation to a manager because this is a conversation you want to fully document. (Date, time, location, and, as closely as possible, exactly what was said.)

   I see your refusal to play ball causing him to shift to a strategy of moving you out of the company so that he can hire his friend instead. If he's willing to cheat his company, he's willing to cheat you. Be on the lookout for criticisms over petty things. Really check your work and CYA.

   If push comes to shove and he broaches the subject again, let him know that his request made you very uncomfortable and that it puts you in a difficult position. Let him know that you can't abandon your work ethic and jeopardize your ability to be rated as a high performer. (This puts him on notice not to try his shenanigans.) Document every conversation immediately after it happens. Take notes while you meet so he knows that his words have been recorded.

   If he begins trying to move you out, go to HR and bring your documentation.

   I also agree with others here. It might be time to look for another role. So sorry you are going through this.

9. AnonymousNovember 11,2022 at 2:21PM UTC

   If he keeps approaching you with that ridiculous request, make sure you are recording it. I mean literally with your phone. You will need ammunition later when he tries to force you out. That is shady as hell. I would just start looking for other employment now. I couldn’t work for somebody like that. Eww.

10. Lisa ApolisNovember 11,2022 at 2:29PM UTC

    As odd as his request sounds, and he should have never said that to you, I know where he's coming from. If the job requires 3 people, working 40 hours a week to complete, but you have 2 stars that are killing themselves working 60+ hrs a week to get the job done, then the finance group will see no need to hire anyone else. In some companies, if the work is getting done, no matter the cost to the current employees, there will be no new hires. The only thing that will justify a new hire is work not getting done. A star employee with a serious work ethic will not let work go undone, they will feel they failed. So it's a catch-22. Work 40 hrs a week and let the rest go undone (feeling like a failure), then you may get help. Stress yourself meeting your internal standards and you will get no help. What do you do?? It will take meticulous documentation of the amount of work you do and the time it takes to ever justify a new position, all of which just adds more work and more stress. But your manager should be diligently documenting any extra hours and effort you put in.

    As for him wanting to hire a friend, that happens a lot more than it should.

11. AnonymousNovember 11,2022 at 3:37PM UTC

    Hate to say this but maybe he wants you to cut back on your work so he can go to HR. He could say you are not meeting standards or above so that they can fire you and hire his friend. I would not trust the statement that he wants to hire a third person. Also, is he telling your co-worker the same thing, or just you? If he is only telling you this, I would see that as a HUGE red flag.

12. AnonymousNovember 11,2022 at 5:03PM UTC

    Are you working more than 40 hrs a week to get everything done? If so cut back to 40 so that he can show his management that the workload is more than the current team size can handle with a normal work week.

    If you aren't working more than 40 hrs a week, it sounds like he's trying to justify more headcount and the only way he can do it is by proving that with the current team size the workload can't be delivered on time. If you're so efficient that you're doing the job of 2 people in 40 hrs, then he won't be able to prove to his management that he deserves more people.