Should I say something at work?

[curtishouse29]

I have been biting my tongue at work lately and I was just wondering if this is what I should be doing. Let me catch everybody up to speed. In my department, my boss has been acting very inappropiately with a co-worker. She is a married woman and seems to be committing adultery with this young man whom I instructed last year.

Since she pretty much runs the show, he gets free reign and barely ever does his job. Instead, he is following her around constantly like a lost puppy and she also gives preferential treatment to her other friends as well on a lower scale.

Should I bring this matter to her attention because, other than reporting her to the union, there would be nobody else above her that I could voice my displeasure to on this issue. I really don’t want to make an enemy of the head of the department and I feel if I bring this up, something like that will undoubtedly occur. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. God bless.

Curtis

 

[TLM08]

I have been biting my tongue at work lately and I was just wondering if this is what I should be doing. Let me catch everybody up to speed. In my department, my boss has been acting very inappropiately with a co-worker. She is a married woman and seems to be committing adultery with this young man whom I instructed last year.

Since she pretty much runs the show, he gets free reign and barely ever does his job. Instead, he is following her around constantly like a lost puppy and she also gives preferential treatment to her other friends as well on a lower scale.

Should I bring this matter to her attention because, other than reporting her to the union, there would be nobody else above her that I could voice my displeasure to on this issue. I really don’t want to make an enemy of the head of the department and I feel if I bring this up, something like that will undoubtedly occur. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. God bless.

Curtis

First things first. It’s possible that she isn’t having sex with him, but rather stringing him along for her own ego boost. You really have to be careful what you accuse her of. You don’t need to be losing your job especially in this economy or exposing yourself to any legal liability. So here’s the deal. I would mind my own business, do my own work (avoiding puppy’s work) and keep my mouth shut.

If she forces you to do “lost puppy’s” work as well as yours, go ahead and do the work so you don’t get fired for insubordination but politely tell her that you will be considering initiating the grievance process. The issue is “Lost Puppy’s” work, not the affair. Never mention the affair. You have no proof! If she get’s threatens you, remind her that you can always visit your local National Labor Relations Board and file an “unfair labor practice” charge for interfering with union activity.

Realizing that her dirty laundry would likely be exposed, I’m sure she will reconsider the entire situation and “lost puppy” will be back to doing his own work in no time.

Your other option is to keep your mouth shut, mind your own business, and keep doing Puppy’s work. Only you can decide what’s best for your situation and for the good of the union.

 

[Christy_Beth]

I’d hesitate about bring it up with her. If she’s playing favorites, then there could be major problems. I’d hate to use the word “fired,” but that’s the first one that came to mind when I first read your post. If there’s no one above her to go to, ask someone at your union headquarters, or whatever. If the “love interest” isn’t doing his job, then who IS doing it?

 

[curtishouse29]

First things first. It’s possible that she isn’t having sex with him, but rather stringing him along for her own ego boost. You really have to be careful what you accuse her of. You don’t need to be losing your job especially in this economy or exposing yourself to any legal liability. So here’s the deal. I would mind my own business, do my own work (avoiding puppy’s work) and keep my mouth shut.

If she forces you to do “lost puppy’s” work as well as yours, go ahead and do the work so you don’t get fired for insubordination but politely tell her that you will be considering initiating the grievance process. If she get’s threatens you, remind her that you can always to to the National Labor Relations Board and file an “unfair labor practice” charge for interfering with union activity.

Realizing that dirty laundry would likely be exposed, I’m sure she will reconsider the entire situation and “lost puppy” will be back to doing his own work in no time.

If I confronted her, I wouldn’t be bringing up the potential adultery part. It would be solely on the basis of the preferential treatment towards her friends.

I do my own work but the thing is that since she is the head, she comes by on a nightly basis so I really can’t separate myself from her and her friends for at least the first half of the night.

Thanks for your take on the situation.

 

[curtishouse29]

I’d hesitate about bring it up with her. If she’s playing favorites, then there could be major problems. I’d hate to use the word “fired,” but that’s the first one that came to mind when I first read your post. If there’s no one above her to go to, ask someone at your union headquarters, or whatever. If the “love interest” isn’t doing his job, then who IS doing it?

When it comes to his job, every unit has about 20-30 employees in it so the rest of the unit has to pick up the slack when he wanders off with the boss.

My job really wouldn’t be in jeopardy because of this. Thankfully she doesn’t have the authority to terminate somebody’s employment (it’s a federal job). I’m just going to keep hush for the time being. Hopefully this will all blow over. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[TLM08]

If I confronted her, I wouldn’t be bringing up the potential adultery part. It would be solely on the basis of the preferential treatment towards her friends.

I do my own work but the thing is that since she is the head, she comes by on a nightly basis so I really can’t separate myself from her and her friends for at least the first half of the night.

Thanks for your take on the situation.

Correct! See my edited Original Post. Never EVER mention the affair!
Does she own the company? You do have a union… right? Has the union discussed this?

 

[rwoehmke]

The advice to keep your yap shut and nose on the grindstone is a good one. Whistle blowers, especially in government jobs seldom win in the long run. Its not only in ones original job, but after one is let go no one wants to hire a whistle blower. Look into the public record of whistle blowers. They almost invariably lose in the long run, if not the short. Sad, but true.

 

[Blade_and_Blood]

Personally, I’d sit back and watch the show because situations like this generally take care of themselves.

But, if you really feel like you need to say something, then, keep an open-mind about what could happen; expect, even, the unexpected. More importantly, try to imagine yourself in the aftermath of bringing this out into the light.

:twocents:

Ironically Yours, Blade and Blood