Lack of training or communication yet expected to already know and read owner's mind.

Anonymous

October 18,2022 at 2:23PM UTC

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Lack of training or communication yet expected to already know and read owner's mind.

We have an audit coming up. To make sure we have all the

documentation for each employee like we should. The owner is frantic and

bemoaning that we might be fined for not having everything in place.

But this is something that I tried to push for since starting

with the company a year ago. Pushing to have a full list of documents needed,

all files in one place, asking for training or going over the new hire

documents to make sure I understood what they were for, so I knew how to give

them out during orientation correctly.

Over the whole year the owners where rush-rush with

explanations, if any, but mostly came back with "it isn't your job".

They hired me to be HR Generalist and told me they would train me since I don't

have experience (and they knew it and didn't give me that title until after orientation).

Any time I would bring up a concern about paperwork and changing

wording (they started with one company then morphed into another one) to match

the present company and new policies and procedures, they would brush me off as

"meddling outside my responsibilities."

Now, it's being thrown back at me that we don't have certain

paperwork in place and that they are going to be fined for it. I'm frustrated

and rightly so.

Any time I took the initiative to make sure we had certain

paperwork in place that wasn't before, they told me "we are the owners,

you can't step outside your responsibilities." But get upset that the

documents aren't in place.

I think I need another job.

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AnonymousOctober 18,2022 at 3:05PM UTC
I would second you need another job
AnonymousOctober 18,2022 at 4:40PM UTC
Tell them you did the best with the guidance provided.
AnonymousOctober 18,2022 at 5:00PM UTC
Do you have any of this in writing? If you do, you are covered. This is also a classic example of a time where you should just do something without permission and apologize later. Especially if it's something like having a list of documents and where they are located. Just create it and use it for yourself and don't share it with the owners. If you want to be really fancy, you can have it link to the different documents so that you can access them from the list.
Be prepared for them to try to throw you under the bus with the auditor. Also, if this is the pattern of behavior, I think you are correct that you should start looking for another job.
Good luck!
Anne KrookOctober 18,2022 at 5:28PM UTC
Start looking for another job immediately, keeping a list of the things you would do differently at your next job (an excellent thing to have in your pocket when asked why you are leaving ("in my next position, I want to be responsible for making sure X Y and Z are in place, because I have seen what happens when they are not"). I would not be at all surprised if they responded to poor audit findings by telling the auditor it is your fault. Document what you said when for your current bosses, but do not expect that they will be grateful for it or that it will save your job in their eyes.
Crystal HowellOctober 18,2022 at 5:49PM UTC
Yes, a company without their paperwork in order is asking for it. Don't let them drag you down, and of course, when you leave, they will blame you. Move On
AnonymousOctober 19,2022 at 1:30AM UTC
This seems like an unstable company. Apply elsewhere and aim for a more stable midsize to large company. What you are experiencing is typical of unstable small businesses that hit a rough patch or on their way to sink. So dont tank with them
AnonymousOctober 19,2022 at 3:27PM UTC
Let them get fined! Its their own stupidity that got them in this mess in the first place! Their choices and conduct brought them to this point. Stay for the audit if you want to talk to the auditor. Otherwise get the hell out of there protect yourself and find a new job.