Reply With QuoteToo right you should hand in your notice, preferably after lamping that arrogant bastard of a boss. No-one should have to put up with that at work.
Need forum wisdom.
I work for this company 2 years. There is project which is very interesting for me professionally and personally. First year was very good, we launched service, of course there were some hiccups, but generally everything was OK. Then, all of sudden, Project Director left the company. During last summer there was no management oversight and project management (outsourced programmers, adding new feature, day-to-day operations) were on me. It was fun to manage this project, but it took quite a lot of my time and I was telling to CEO that we need project manager with a full responsibility.
Fast forward to last November. Still no dedicated project manager. Owner, who is participating in daily operations called a meeting regarding our project and announced that it is in sh**, that we do not know what we are doing that from now on he is doing strategy and we are implementing it (because of we don't know a sh** about strategy, his words).
Then we started weekly meetings to decide strategy, see work progress etc. 9 out of 10 of these meeting turned to shouting matches from owner - nothing was done right, who are you to think, you know nothing etc. Usually there are from 8 to 10 people in these meetings - managers, lawyers etc. everyone usually is sitting and staring at the table.
Couple of weeks ago owner announced that project management now is responsibility of CEO and instead of one big meeting there will be 5 separate meetings (marketing, statistics, technical etc) and then CEO will report weekly to owner.
The problem is that despite fact that new meeting format did not included owner, they had their own separate meeting with CEO once a week, he is still participating in almost all meetings and that adds unnecessary tension and stress, because of constant shouting and verbal abuse.
In addition to stress we are experiencing during work week, we are also getting phone calls and emails from owner during weekends, because of sometimes he is monitoring our project and if he finds anything not to his liking, he fires emails with accusation of sabotage etc.
Project has gone to complete chaos, because of the lack of leadership. We are adding new features that we don't have a time to test, there are bugs I know for 4-5 month and no one care, because we have deadline to introduce new feature and because of deadlines are tight, new features comes with new bugs and so it goes.
Now I have vacation, will travel to London with family and when I return, I want to present them with my resignation, because of even today my hands are shaking when I think that I have to return to work next Thursday.
But the problem is that there are not so many potential employers in the field. But from other hand I can get by for 5-6 month on unemployment benefit. However last time it took year and a to find a decent job.
So I am torn. Should I say f*** this sh** and leave now or stay until I find new job and risk with my mental health.
Last edited by Normunds; 11th September 2017 at 14:40.
Too right you should hand in your notice, preferably after lamping that arrogant bastard of a boss. No-one should have to put up with that at work.
Life is too short mate.
Start to have a look (and an ask) about the industry to see what's what.
Maybe edit the swearing out of your original post though!
Do you work a a guy called Doug Birtley, by any chance?
Anyway, yes, get out. This sounds intolerable for you.
Maybe, just maybe, delay by a month (if you can stand it) to look for a new job but no longer than that, in my humble opinion.
What field are you in? I got the impression you might work for an online business and for motivated, experienced people there are surely lots of job around. Isn't Latvia having a boom at the moment?Originally Posted by Normunds
Even though I accept that finding a new job is rarely easy, I'd still be surprised if you had to wait a year to get a new job.
I can see why the original project director suddenly left, I'd be doing the same if I were in your shoes.
I am in TV - started with satellite system installations, had my own company (supplied equipment to big cable networks, telekoms), this project is OTT TV service and professionally it could be my pride and joy if we pull it. But I don't want to become alcoholic to survive.
You know what you have to do. If it's been affecting you it's been affecting the family. A step into the unknown but the job search you did last time will stand you in good stead both in interview experience and contacts(/names) you made.
Sounds like there won't be a firm for much longer.
Good luck.
As someone who has been looking for work for 9 months I'd say find your new job and then hand in your resignation.
Look for a new job, stay in this one until you do.
mike
this is difficult, because of I am at work from 8 till 18 and have only 20-30min for lunch, so almost no time for job interviews.
I know it's difficult, just think it would be better keeping the money coming in as long as possible!
mike
Take leave for interviews?
How long could you last financially, without work?
I think 6 month comfortably, 12 with a tight budget.
taking a leave is risky, because of we have electronic cards and I know that they are checking hours.
Are you in the UK ? If the stresses from your job is making you sick then you should leave, but you might also have a case against your employer but this will depend upon your quitting straight away.
If this might be the case then speak with a solicitor - house insurance will usually pay for one as a starting point.
sorry no, I am not in UK.
Sorry language confusion, by leave I mean vacation or holiday, part of your paid time off work
How is this relevant to the OP living in Latvia?
If it's that bad I would have been looking elsewhere a long time ago. However you're still there so you need to do what's right for you. I'd imagine it's a lot easier to get a job if you have a job already so I would be spending as much free time as possible looking for new work and hanging on in there. If it becomes unbearable then of course your health is more important.
This ^^^^. Never leave a job until you find another even though stressful.
I see. It is difficult to leave for a whole day. When I am in vacation there are 4 people substituting me and none of them is happy, because of there is a lot to do and quite a responsibility.
OP, I sympathise greatly as I can imagine the sort of person your boss is. Just remember his behaviour in part may be driven the amount of money he stands to lose if this all goes wrong. However, that doesn't excuse his behaviour.
It's very short notice but IBC is on in Amsterdam this weekend (Friday to Tuesday): is there any way you can get there to do some quick networking? If you are in London it's not far, although flights & hotels are very full.
Do they not have employment laws in Latvia, they are part of the EU ?
visit to IBC is already arranged ;)
this is one thing about company that puzzled me - how we are supposed to build a service and not attend leading exhibition. I've been to IBC 8 or 9 times.
A leave for an interview can be half a day. Personal reasons.
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
Because it's his money. It's literally coming out of his pocket to send you. I agree that any normal person would realise how important it is to go (& I've been as many times as you) but it's very expensive for no directly tangible result.
the most important result is that you see where industry is heading, how technology is changing. Without that knowledge is hard to compete in the market, because of you always be two steps behind those who were there.
and cost, if you plan ahead, is not that high. Flights and hotels are about 5-600 euros for 3 days.
It is easier to get a job, when you've got a job - a real truism
It may sound flakey, but, you don't have to feel stressed with what's happening at work... let it flow over your head, do your job and don't sweat the small stuff... it is difficult, but, it is most definitely in your power to choose how you feel.
In the meantime, update LinkedIn and your CV and get in contact with specialist recruitment people and crack on...
Good luck...
Ben
Sorry to be picky, but beware this sort of advice. Simply quitting, without having even attempted to use existing/internal or ACAS CoP procedures for grievance seriously damages any future claim, if nothing else in terms of any payment.
If it's as bad as you say. why not talk to the owner - there's nothing to lose if you explain what's needed etc. S/he may be lashing out through frustration borne from not seeing or 'getting' the whole picture?
P.s - getting a job from the position of having one IS good advice, don't under-estimate referencing either (or lack thereof!)/
If you're planning to leave, you have little to worry about pressure: remain professional, say yes all requests from both CEO and owner, regardless how ill thought, and take your pay check until you have found something else.
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
I'd recommend LinkedIn and update you're CV too. Many blue chip Companies are now going straight to the likes of LinkedIn to search for their new recruits and cutting out the agencies.
As others have said, jack it in for the sake of your mental health and ultimately your physical well being.
Nothing more to add.
You only have one life.
Do not waste your time and jeopardize your health in that company.
"my hands are shaking when I think that I have to return to work next Thursday. "
Time to go, simple as that, you are not walking out or turning your back: you are protecting your sanity, family and future which are far far far more important.
if anyone says or thinks otherwise they are just jealous of what you are about to do - so do it if you can
Ah, this is something I know nothing about. I see that OTT means 'over the top' which is effectively combining online services with broadcast.
I'd have thought (although we all know the risk of assumption) that there were many opportunities in that area at the moment. Would you be willing to relocate? If so, I'd think that would increase your opportunities.
Good luck with whatever you do!
So what if these four people aren't happy covering for you ... you're planning on leaving anyway so they'll be covering for you once you're gone until your replacement is hired anyway so they might as well get used to it now!!
Look after yourself first and foremost and stop worrying about the people that are left behind, if they are that unhappy they'll be looking around for other jobs just like you are.
Personally I'd try and secure another job whilst turning up for the current one, just keep pitching up and doing enough to get by until you can hand your notice in, if it really gets too much then walk way.
Speak to the owner, polite but firm.
Advise them what they need to do to sort out the big issues on the project.
Give it a go to be part of the solution not part of the problem !
I have delivered projects in Poland, Ukraine and Slovakia there is a common theme/style among senior management there (Eastern Europe) of 'intimidation'. Stay calm look it in the eye and tell it straight, they are generally not able to counter that. If somebody starts shouting and swearing end the meeting or call, advise them the meeting will be rescheduled to a time when they have regained their self control and the process can be constructive and productive.
Strangely I have had to use similar tactics with French senior management who can be unbelievable emotional and childish when they don't get their own way.
Quite.
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