So this has never happened…..

44 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 15,2024 at 11:28PM UTC

   She's intimidated and scared out of her mind.

2. AnonymousApril 16,2024 at 12:02AM UTC

   Is she in a position to ask you not to come back? That seems really odd to me. I would absolutely reach out to the owner and find out if she's in support of this decision. The only one who should be uncomfortable is her.

3. Jackie RukaApril 16,2024 at 12:20AM UTC

   She sounds threatened by you and prefers to be the top dog . In her mind , initiative of sufficiency will bring out her shortcomings and you will shine. Or duplication of efforts will cause the owners to remove someone… sad but not uncommon

4. AnonymousApril 16,2024 at 12:47AM UTC

   She's intimidated. This doesn't automatically mean the relationship is broken permanently and you can't work toward a comfortable environment to all. Talk to the owner to clear it up, stay composed, assume positive intent on all parts and make it you and this employee against the problem and working toward the same goals and not you two against each other. Make it safe for her too.. it will be hard for her to back out on her words but if you make it clear you want to learn and respect the boundaries and want to work with her she'll feel safer to admit she was a little hasty.

   It's not easy to confront these situations, the easier thing in the moment is to take it as broken and walk away, but it makes your life easier if you can address them head on with positivity and give everyone the opportunity to fix it. It doesn't always work, but when it does it actually creates some pretty strong, trusting bonds.

   Ps- I learned a lot of tools for this through Crucial Conversations, you can find the book on Amazon.. I think there are probably plenty of youtube videos summarizing it too.

5. AnonymousApril 22,2024 at 3:32PM UTC

   There’s nothing to work out - I was let go because it “wasn’t going to work” is what she said.

   THANK YOU for the book recommendation

   One of the best I’ve read is “The One Thing”

6. AnonymousApril 16,2024 at 1:33AM UTC

   I worked with a woman long ago like that.
   Twice.
   First time-
   Government work (NFP) and she was "the most intelligent" per my supervisor and took hours what I could do in 45m or less

   I was a huge threat. I never bragged, and like you, I was hesitant on day 1 to point obivous inefficiencies.

   I was let go after a month. She found out from my manager I was doing the work and having been there longer, able to convince supervisor I had to go.

   I found something much better quickly and so will you!!!!!

   Payroll for that few people took almost 5h?? I've done payroll for more in far less time. She's not "doing everything ", she's doing nothing IMO.

   I'm wondering how many before you have come and gone in the same predicament. She's fooling owners big time!!
   --
   Second time-
   I was in a situation like that once and the lady was let go. Next day, we found THOUSANDS ($50k!!) In checks from various customers hidden in her stack of work!! --Owner recognized my abilities and I was supposed to work with woman, but she refused to tell me anything. She kept "working" from home doing nothing and in her absence, I caught on quick.

7. AnonymousApril 22,2024 at 3:27PM UTC

   I’m really starting to agree with this theory. He doesn’t know the specifics- only approves the amounts and of course the job costing etc…which I wouldn’t expect him to do more than that. (Well, he should know the basic protocols)

   They have tablets in the field / all or most could be done electronically….

   I saw him 2x that day - good morning and good night.

8. AnonymousApril 16,2024 at 1:57AM UTC

   I'm not the OP, but well said. Having done payroll and the help of my BFF Excel, 4h for 6 people is WAY excessive.

   Something (many things) wrong with picture and who knows what else is hidden? I think the employee that "does everything " is running a lot of people off and owner has given license to do so (just do what you need and get it done). Owner has wool over their eyes

9. AnonymousApril 22,2024 at 3:21PM UTC

   It’s funny you say that - in my interview with both her and the owner - he specifically said they’d been having a hard time finding someone who could do what is on their resume.

   She said she’d been using excel for 3 years (only for this company) -

   I’m advanced- it’s on my resume but didn’t say a word about it..Too bad though- I’m also a good trainer ?‍♀️

10. Janet ParkhurstApril 16,2024 at 3:06AM UTC

    Great response! And it's not at all "petty;" it's accurate, point-by-point documentation of this woman's insecurities! She's afraid the poster will show her up and the owner will keep HER and get rid of the one who "does it all."

11. AnonymousApril 17,2024 at 1:40PM UTC

    She is clearly afraid of loosing her job.

12. GirlBossanova934974April 17,2024 at 1:48PM UTC

    As an owner of my business, I am terrified of having employees like the one you mention, making UNAUTHORIZED business decisions on my behalf. Who gave this employee the right to hire and fire? Based upon a few hours of work? I would call the business owner and explain the situation. I am relatively certain that person will be appalled. If I found about a situation like this, you can bet your last dollar, that other employee and I would be having a short conversation. Pull off another stunt like this and that will be your last day at my company.

13. AnonymousApril 18,2024 at 11:55AM UTC

    So agree. And if you are given another chance, you have a clear understanding of this employee, her role and your role at least early on in your training.

14. AnonymousApril 22,2024 at 3:16PM UTC

    I’m really thinking I’m just going to email the owner directly. I’d mentioned in a response to another post that I’d like to at least say thank you and I’m sorry YOU felt my skill set wasn’t going to be a good fit. Wish him success and move on…..

    Thank you for your response- From your perspective, especially, as a business owner.

15. AnonymousApril 17,2024 at 1:57PM UTC

    Devil’s advocate here. Are you the one with a lot of experience or was it her? Your sentence wasn’t clear and the blah blah blah gives a negative connotation. What position were you hired for? Have you ever worked for a construction company before, large or small? Did you watch her do payroll for 5 hours for 6 people? I am wondering if ‘payroll’ included gathering and consolidating timesheets for each person for each job and also subcontractors, which includes billing, expenses, etc. based on your time and materials allocation questions. It can get pretty complicated. That small consulting company is probably juggling several multi million dollar jobs. Sounds like she just wanted you to learn ‘payroll’ the first day on the job and not get in too deep. Also, with it being a small company, maybe she was trying to get a feel if you would be a good fit. If she’s been doing this forever and it’s a small company, she’s probably either related to the owner or a very close friend that they trust with a very large amount of money and responsibilities. And you don’t know the history of others she may have tried to hire to help relieve her of some responsibilities, only to have to turn around and fix all errors that person has made, by ‘making things more efficient’. Maybe something you said or did triggered her based on previous experiences. I would highly suggest not speaking directly to the owner, because she is a trusted employee and she probably made the decision to hire you.. But a sincere call to her if you are that interested in the job might shed some light.

    Also slow down a little. First day on the job and you are talking about improving someone’s processes without finding out why they do things that way? I bet there’s an answer. Wait at least a couple of weeks to get a feel for the job. Best of luck to you!

16. AnonymousApril 22,2024 at 3:12PM UTC

    Yes - 10 years experience in Construction- subcontractors and all ?

    And yes, you read that correctly- she was filling out a simple spreadsheet (no additional formulas or anything to make me understand the timeframe) To me, she is doing what the guys in the field should be communicating effectively with her (or someone) preferably systematical after she said they all have tablets in the field.

    I said first day on the job, I know better than to make recommendations or performance enhancements.

    as you said, there are or could be other considerations I didn’t get to find out ?

17. AnonymousApril 17,2024 at 2:06PM UTC

    I had a situation very similar to this. My first day, the Executive Assistant who hired me made the comment that they were taking away all of her fun duties and giving them to me. Wow - super uncomfortable moment! She then refused to give me any of the duties until I proved myself. It was a long 3 months but I managed to find something else right before we made the mutual decision that the job wasn't a good fit. Save yourself a lot of grief and just leave.

18. AnonymousApril 22,2024 at 3:04PM UTC

    Oh! She took care of that for me - she called me around the time I got home saying it “wouldn’t be a good fit” - that’s it - nada

19. Julie EApril 17,2024 at 3:32PM UTC

    Let it go. She could tell you were way smarter than her and felt threatened by it. I don’t think this would be a comfortable work environment even if you were to salvage your job.

20. AnonymousApril 22,2024 at 3:02PM UTC

    No way I could go back - I’d feel so out of place or I’d make sure to show her up

    Im not a fan of those options- I’ll be damned if I allow myself to act like that.

    I’m starting to realize I may have dodged romper room

21. AnonymousApril 18,2024 at 12:29PM UTC

    She felt threatened by you. I have been turned down job after job because I’m overqualified. I’m actually going to start saying less and making another résumé that doesn’t make it look like I know it all which I do since I’ve been working for 20 years but she felt threatened by you and obviously she’s been there a while and the boss is like huh so just move on and forget about it.

22. AnonymousApril 22,2024 at 2:58PM UTC

    Amen to that but it’s killing me making this decision to email the owner- as mentioned above

    The suspense hahaha

    thank you ?

23. AnonymousApril 18,2024 at 12:59PM UTC

    You sound very proficient at your work. and you were polite and only asked pertinent questions on your first day...that's all great.... And, you "got along nicely" with this woman. That's great too! Wow, she sounds like a mixed up individual- I'm a bit confused about how and "why" she's calling you "on the way home" and saying "I don't think things are going to work out"...WHO DOES THAT??? I mean, you took this job with the expectation of HAVING A JOB....this concerns me more than any insecurity she has! Does this woman have the power to terminate you??? This does sound very odd, and since it's a small company (privately owned??)-- I'm not sure what recourse you will have, if any. All very sketchy. She sounds a mess. For now, it's too soon to say what to do....if it were me, I would scratch my head and lay low for a week or two (don't race off to the owner about this). My guess is that this woman (who worked very slowly doing payroll, you said) has had it pretty easy with very little oversight until your arrival (in fact, the owner might have WANTED to hire you and is being nice by not terminating her for her poor skills)...there's alot you do not know, but for now....stay under the radar and watch what happens. If you lose your job at their hands, maybe you could at leaast get unemployment??

24. AnonymousApril 22,2024 at 2:55PM UTC

    Lmao - slowly? 7 salaried employees and maybe 6 hourly took from 8:00am to 1:20ish

    and then said she would finish it on Wednesday as all she was doing was fixing lunches (I’d fix that really quick with the employees had I settled in) and verifying locations for job costing.

    She said she had to put it in their payroll system and I’m like can you not just throw that excel sheet in their system? (Upload it)

    Maybe that offended her….

    I'm ok for now though without unemployment but I need to get on the ball before I’m not…

25. AnonymousApril 22,2024 at 7:00PM UTC

    I think response here is demonstrating a small part of the problem.... It does sound like she is inept and slow... But you sound very critical of her and you haven't even gotten a chance to know her... My best most unbiased advice is to give it time and try to learn something from this even if it doesn't work out..

26. AnonymousApril 23,2024 at 3:43PM UTC

    I appreciate your honesty and I agree / I was upset when I’d written this.

    Yet it’s frustrating to not have the opportunity to understand what happened to either have the opportunity to apologize and/or explain something I could have said or done.

27. AnonymousApril 22,2024 at 8:46PM UTC

    I was in this position- my owner transitions me in to transition her out.

    I got to stay because after I started, my "partner" (replac-ee) stopped showing up. She finally came in a week later- looking for her check.

    Owner was an older gentleman and super classy. I can tell he liked her but knew she had to go.

    Eventually he sold the business and I left but on GREAT terms

28. Jackiek29April 18,2024 at 1:50PM UTC

    The woman is threatened by you, can u find ways to assure her you are not after her job? I have worked in this situation too, I spent a long time avoiding stepping on toes, crossing invisible boundaries until we became a team

29. AnonymousApril 22,2024 at 2:48PM UTC

    I think moving on is best- yet still toying with the idea of emailing the owner directly as mentioned before

    thoughts?

30. AnonymousApril 22,2024 at 8:42PM UTC

    I'd email the owner, thank them for the opportunity and invite to reach out if questions. Say it wasn't a good fit-

31. AnonymousApril 18,2024 at 5:03PM UTC

    If you want to try to resurrect it you could go there in person ask her to spend a few minutes. See if she will agree to a reset and then just absorb. Ask her what she needs from you, ask her how you should ask for help and what she doesn't want you to do. Then follow her directions if she takes you back. Let her know that you're sorry you both had a rocky start and that you are still excited to work there. She probably just doesn't know how to manage you, a person with opinions, so show her how.

32. AnonymousApril 22,2024 at 2:46PM UTC

    See - there wasn’t anything rocky

    She even said I was “asking the right questions”

    Ive been doing this for years- it was obvious she hasn’t and I made sure to keep quiet about it as I prefer a team environment - I’m happy to share any skills I have but maybe she did feel threatened- I would have been reporting directly to the owner so I don’t know….

    When she called me - I did say it’s impossible to get the full sense of an employee in a handful of months let alone hours…I said it towards the end of the conversation as all she could do is say “it’s just not going to work” - I have never let someone go without a reason and have even given some advice if I felt I had any; to help with their transition.

33. AnonymousApril 18,2024 at 6:07PM UTC

    She has set longer time expectations for activities to be completed that the owner has accepted. You know better. She knows you know better.

    Her insecurity will prevent her from ever giving up any of her "many hats."

    Going back and playing nice in this sandbox will only earn you recognition for how many times you have to bite your tongue on a daily basis and wondering how long it'll be before it falls off.

    Move onto something better with less insecurities in such a small company.

34. AnonymousApril 22,2024 at 2:37PM UTC

    100% agree with you on this

    I remembered the other day she made a smart ass remark about my car (2021 Challenger)

    Maybe it hurt her ears ?‍♀️?

    thank you for your awesome advice

35. AnonymousApril 19,2024 at 3:05AM UTC

    I would reach out to the owner directly.

    I was a freelance marketer, and it was quite common to run into an owner's “right-hand person” but they always tend to get intimidated by the fact that they’re dealing with a professional who possesses actual expertise.

    I would at least let the owner know to protect your reputation and possibly earn a respectable reference.

36. AnonymousApril 22,2024 at 2:33PM UTC

    I’ve been thinking about a short email to the owner directly (my “trainer” didn’t have access to his account)

    .not a “what’s wrong with me” but more like a personal thank you for the chance and I’m sorry you (not her) felt the potential skills we spoke of are not in line with your business -

    simply wondering what or if the conversation they had differed. I don’t and really wouldn’t expect a response but if she did this without a conservation with him, that’d be an excellent dose of karma

    .but I’m more so inclined to just move on

    We will see

37. AnonymousApril 24,2024 at 4:39AM UTC

    Only as courtesy, I would send the message. No need to burn the bridge with the owner, nor expect a response of any kind.

    If it’s that easy to find another role for you, then continue on without that regard

38. AnonymousApril 19,2024 at 12:04PM UTC

    My story is very similar. I was headhunted for a role closer to my home and left a well paying job for one that paid less but my work life balance improved significantly.

    I was there two days , asked some valid questions, gave advice on how to simplify certain processes etc.

    The next day I was told to fetch post and put letters in envelopes. That was pretty much my duty until I was informed the company was going on short time. 6 weeks

    Last in first out! (Rubbish!)

    Now I have no job and my self confidence is zero. From a management role to licking envelopes to nothing…

39. AnonymousApril 22,2024 at 2:26PM UTC

    You know they make stuff so you can save your tongue for better use (ice cream) hahaha

    You made me laugh and I appreciate it- I too have been beating myself up over this for what could be the best thing to happen.

    You all absolutely rock

40. MislynApril 19,2024 at 6:52PM UTC

    I was headhunted for a job as well and the offer was to good to pass up. They say if it sounds to good to be true it is. Trust me it was. I left a job I really liked and got along with everyone (with the exception of one person) to take a job that ended up being pure hell. I was made lots of promises that were all lies.

41. AnonymousApril 19,2024 at 7:16PM UTC

    I don't mean to be flippant here but maybe it was just not meant to be. It sounds like this person has an issue and is afraid that someone will come in who knows more than her and can take over her job and do it better. There is no other explanation because anyone who hires someone should be more than happy to show them the ropes, and answer any and all questions. What this woman has done is a great disservice to the company and unfortunately, if the owner doesn't see it, that is going to be their problem, not yours. Their business will not grow, become more efficient or save money, unless they empower their staff to make improvements. It sounds like you'd rather be at a company that values new ideas and listens to your suggestions for improvement. This is a good thing and many companies are looking for people just like you! I would drop it and move on as obviously that company is just not a good fit.

42. AnonymousApril 22,2024 at 2:23PM UTC

    Thank you for your perspective on this. It makes alot of sense.i also appreciate you’re taking the time to respond !!

43. AnonymousApril 22,2024 at 3:34PM UTC

    That’s not supposed to be a “question mark” lol

44. AnonymousApril 22,2024 at 3:29PM UTC

    I was coming in to help her (backup when she’s out) and work with Estimators. I am not one but that would have been something laterally for me (and was discussed in my interview)