Seeking advice on credit being taken for my work

Amelia

March 7,2024 at 9:02PM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

Seeking advice on credit being taken for my work

Long story short, my boss has been appointed to a board and in reading over the article early this morning, I found a few phrases that are attributing work she did NOT do to her.

(Names removed for privacy, and my comments in parenthesis):

"Throughout her tenure at COMPANY, BOSS has spearheaded projects such as launching the retailer’s new Shopify website, playing a pivotal role in the platform migration and site build (this was me. for six months last year pouring hours into this project. spearheading isn't a stretch, but the pivotal role certainly is).

She has also worked on developing a comprehensive brand book (I couldn't say for certain how much she contributed to this brand book, but this was a project supervised by another co-worker) and coordinating strategic partnerships with brands like Maine-based company Sea Bags, which sells accessories made from repurposed sails (I know for a fact boss didn't have anything to do with this). "

I emailed my boss this morning, explaining that the website comment was hurtful as it felt like it was negating all my work. I received the following response:

"To address your question, I did not write the press release. I am sorry that the statement made you feel this way.

I am happy to talk about this more on Monday when I return."

Advice on how to address this?

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

5 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

5 Comments

Join the conversation

AnonymousMarch 7,2024 at 10:08PM UTC
Just remember that everything runs downhill, and accolades rise. Since she was your boss, she may not have had her hands on the projects, but she was responsible for them. The higher her position was, the wider the reach on the projects below. I have had this happen to me as well, when products I was responsible for developing. The Sr. VP was given accolades for the projects I spearheaded, and she could barely use the jargon associated with the product. You can make a fuss but think carefully. What do you want to happen? What's done, can't be undone, and even a "thank you" from her will not feel like enough, because she is the one that just got promoted. The best you can do is trust that when she has to make decisions about the people who helped her on her way up, she will remember. Be sure to congratulate her on her new position and let her know what your own career aspirations are.
AnonymousMarch 8,2024 at 12:16AM UTC
This is the path forward. She is your boss and ultimately has responsibility for these projects…and gets to take credit for team wins. I’m not sure I would have handled this the way the OP did.
AnonymousMarch 7,2024 at 10:53PM UTC
It's time that you begin your brand building. Publish articles, sit on panels, host round tables.....its time YOU gather recognition.
Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachMarch 8,2024 at 12:03PM UTC
What are you ultimately looking for as the end result?
If it's her fessing up to it, it seems like she did in a very passive way. You may not get a heartfelt apology but you stood up for yourself and your work and that is valuable!
AnonymousMarch 9,2024 at 6:38PM UTC
Let her speak. If you report under/into her team and this was put together by the marketing department be sure that you let her know that your motivation to do great work is tied to being recognized for it both internally and externally. Ask for inclusion next time and make it be about the betterment of the whole team, not just you. Document the conversation in an email. Save a copy of what you said to her in your work email and also in bcc to your own email address. Attach a copy of the press release to it. Be sure that you use this as you look for your next role in the future for the work you did.
Also, try (this may be hard) to be unemotional when you speak to her. Listen first and see what she has to say. Script out what you need to tell her and let her know how it de-motivated you to be left out. Don't accuse her of taking credit for others work, that may backfire but definitely share how your and others work was not in there. If nothing changes the next time it happens push it up to the skip level for commentary and use what you save from this time as additional fodder for the conversation.