Season of Sharing at Fairygodboss

Anonymous

November 1,2021 at 3:05PM UTC

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Season of Sharing at Fairygodboss

What white lies do you (or can you) tell your boss?

My friend and I were talking about this over the weekend and have very different opinions, would love to hear what others think!

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29 Comments

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AnonymousNovember 1,2021 at 3:28PM UTC
Taking a traditional sick day when you need a mental health day. Some companies don't recognize the latter as a necessity, so I think this white lie is okay..
AnonymousNovember 1,2021 at 3:37PM UTC
I totally agree. Especially when a company (like most) doesn't define what "sickness" means. It could just mean you're feeling unwell, and the source of that could be mental / psychological in nature!
AnonymousNovember 1,2021 at 3:45PM UTC
This is a great example!
AnonymousNovember 2,2021 at 5:35PM UTC
My company talks about taking mental health days. However, if you tell them you're taking a mental health day, you'll probably be bothered constantly and asked to come in or help with one thing or another - so I say the same - I'm not feeling well today and won't be coming in.
AnonymousNovember 1,2021 at 6:15PM UTC
Ooh! Interesting question especially in times when not all of us work next to our bosses.
I find white lies about when I'm taking breaks during my work day are okay as long as the bottom line gets done: I get my work done and I'm available for all of my meetings. When and where I'm taking breaks shouldn't matter otherwise!
AnonymousNovember 1,2021 at 6:58PM UTC
So true!
AnonymousNovember 1,2021 at 6:27PM UTC
I work remotely, and I don't tell my boss when I'm working from a new location. In March I spent a month staying with friends in another city, and I felt like if I disclosed that then I would be extra watched. As long as my work gets done, I don't think that is needed information.
AnonymousNovember 1,2021 at 6:59PM UTC
Oh wow that's really interesting! And clearly if they don't notice, it really isn't an issue.
Lorna Rose, J.D., M.S.November 2,2021 at 1:03AM UTC
EXACTLY! One time, I had a colleague warn me not to mention to the bosses that I would be working from another city the next day because "they might feel some type of way that I'm traveling when I'm supposed to be working." I was like uhhh first of all, my plane lands before 8am and I most definitely am not supposed to be working before that time no matter where I am, but second of all this is a remote job and that means I can work from the moon if I wanted to as long as there's wifi.
AnonymousNovember 2,2021 at 6:20PM UTC
Very interesting. I like this one and totally understand that.
AnonymousNovember 1,2021 at 7:31PM UTC
Since I work remotely, sometimes I work on my phone (instead of at my desk) and sometimes I start late. But I get everything done so I feel like where/how I work shouldn't matter
AnonymousNovember 1,2021 at 7:51PM UTC
Completely agree!
AnonymousNovember 2,2021 at 8:56AM UTC
That I DON'T take work home.
I work in a disruptive environment but love my job. I take work home to think on the harder issues and return with a clear mind during the day.
AnonymousNovember 2,2021 at 9:10AM UTC
Note: I can better focus with music and in my space. I do the thinking I want- ie create a spreadsheet to help me, work on a to-do list. This is AFTER I had family time, me time, etc
AnonymousNovember 2,2021 at 1:55PM UTC
Ah that's interesting! As long as you're happy with your job and choosing to do this that's what matters, but that's tough to work in a disruptive environment.
AnonymousNovember 2,2021 at 6:19PM UTC
Why do you think you have to not be honest about this? Do you fear being judged by your boss that you aren't more productive during normal working hours? Not judging at all, just genuinely curious because I have never heard this perspective before.
AnonymousNovember 2,2021 at 10:32PM UTC
I've been specifically told no OT but I'm overloaded. Thing is I love my job and the challenge.
We tried 3x to find a helper and no one wants to work or they were incredibly hard to work with.
Then my company got bought. In a transition,etc. I AM ABLE TO STAY :)
So, for now, I'll be ok. It's great for my resume and them seeing I go above and beyond.
They don't want me taking it home and I see why. Burnout. But I take home what I want to do so it's not as bad.
I totally see what you mean. It's a struggle. Keep up without getting burned up. One thing for sure: not everything gets done. Family comes first. What I do take home, I do while watching TV after I have me-time :)
allison burguenoNovember 2,2021 at 6:15PM UTC
None.
AnonymousNovember 2,2021 at 9:45PM UTC
You may be the only one it seems, haha
KaleyNovember 2,2021 at 6:40PM UTC
My company has a very generous sick benefit, which extend to family members. For example if an employees child is sick or needs to be at an appointment the employees sick time can be used for that. I do not have human children, I have horses and dogs. These horses and dogs are like my children, and if they have appointments I will use sick time to be at their appointments. I am also very fortunate that my company does not question the use of "sick time," I tell them I have an appointment and they dont ask questions.
...I do suspect that my boss is aware that I maybe using my sick time liberally but she approves my time card and doesnt ask questions!
AnonymousNovember 2,2021 at 9:46PM UTC
I think that's fair - especially when vet and animal services are only open 9-5 during the week, when else are you even supposed to go?
AnonymousNovember 2,2021 at 6:45PM UTC
If I have a task that is not in scope with my role and it's something that someone else could easily help me with to lighten my insane workload, I have no problem with asking for help and teaching others how to do it. I don't always divulge everything I hand off with my boss. But even if he asked me I would most definitely confirm it and he wouldn't have a problem with that. Is omission lying in this case? Asking for a friend!
AnonymousNovember 2,2021 at 9:47PM UTC
Haha, I'm wondering the same! I think as long as the work gets done then it shouldn't matter, but I'm certainly not the expert.
AnonymousNovember 2,2021 at 7:13PM UTC
Excellent question! I don't know if they qualify as "white lies," but I keep mum about how dire my living situation is. I adore my position, and I'm good at it (at least my performance reviews say so). However, although I make well over minimum wage, I can't afford a home where I live despite struggling, saving, and working multiple side gigs for years. My situation is complicated by the fact that I have a rare chronic condition in a country where health care is treated as a privilege, but even if I were healthy, I couldn't get by without paying more than 50% of my salary on rent. Yes. I realize this isn't my boss' problem — that's not why I'm sharing this background. I'm sharing it because I put on a happy face every single day, even though inside, I'm dying at the fact that I'm soon to be 50 and homeless again (my landlord sold my building, and the new guy is jacking up rents exorbitantly — not my first rodeo with this scenario). Does it affect my productivity and attitude? You betcha, but I can't let it show. That's what really grinds on me the most; I feel like I have no one I can be my honest self with at work. However, my organization values positivity above all else, and so I put on the act each day. It's tough to say the least.
AnonymousNovember 2,2021 at 9:48PM UTC
Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this. It may not help immediately, but are you able or eligible to ask for a raise or promotion?
Lisa MarieNovember 3,2021 at 1:06AM UTC
ABSOLUTELY NONE! Your boss will unequivocally not have any trust in you if you are caught in a lie!
My reputation is much too important to me, for little white lies to mar it.
I do not trust any boss or coworker who tells white lies, so I do not do so either.
The End.
Joycelyn M. SiameNovember 4,2021 at 7:02PM UTC
The most I've ever done is lie about why I was late. Sometimes when you wake up in the morning you JUST CAN'T GET OUT OF BED so you lay there and think about life, then check the time and freak out because you are definitely going to be late. So, before you make your mad dash to the office, you call your boss and say, "I'll be a little late today, my car battery died and AAA is on the way, I should be in the office about 15 minutes late." Have I done this, absolutely... Frequently? Absolutely not. Do I have any remorse, nah. LOL
AnonymousNovember 4,2021 at 8:17PM UTC
Hahaha, I feel you!
AnonymousNovember 5,2021 at 6:11PM UTC
? I suffer from allergies and year round rhinitis. I’ll call my boss and tell them I have the sniffles and will be working remotely. This was great during pre-pandemic times. I’m open to suggestions now that I work remotely all the time.