Work issue, I need support

[cmscms]

As the title says, I need support (not cruel comments)

A while back I shared about working with a man who was TOTALYL unreasonable. Well, it turns out that (and this is what I have been told and I need to read between the lines) ‘Dave has been asked to work from home after his computer gets connected. For now, he has to come into the office but he is not to talk to certain people. He has been asked to work himself off the project and in 6-8 weeks, he will no longer be on the team. However, CM, since you are on the project you need to learn to co-operate with him’

So, when he sees me in the hall, he does not say ‘hi’. So… am I one of the people he is not suppose to talk to??? but yet I have to co-operate with him???

Also, I feel like the attitude is ‘since we took care of it for you CM, you no longer have anything to complain about’. I would agree with that statement except the problem is NOT really solved. For example, my manager has laid a big guilt trip on me because ‘it is evident you did not like working with him’ I feel slapped in the face. Do I not have the right to be human??? If someone is pushing my buttons all day long, of course I am going to be fed up? How can it not show??? I never went into politics for a reason !

I can’t help but think if someone is ‘asked not to talk to people and work yourself off the project’ would it not be because he upsets people??? How is the boss suppose to know we are upset if we are always full of smiles with no complaints???

And, I am still in contact with him via email. And the guy is an ABSOLUTE NUT ! We had to audit something so the computer program was run twice as a check. A few numbers were off. There are over 20,000 records and we sum the totals. Some numbers are in the 100 thousands. So Dave gets all bent out of shape because the numbers were off by

A - $2,500
B, $75
C $ 6
and all the other numbers were off by less than that. I told him, I would look into A but all the other numbers were rounding. I have been working with this software for 5 years and it is a well know fact you can run the exact same program twice in a row and the numbers will be off because of rounding.

It turns out that 1 record is going crazy and that is why A is off by $2500. I am not a computer expert so I will NEVER be able to figure out why and other people are too busy with their work.

But then, Dave takes the 20,000 records and compares them one by one in Excel and gives me a list of all the ones that don’t match aoubt 50 of them and tells me to reconcile them. Some of the individual records are off by 0.27 cents !!! and he wants me to find less than a penny???

Then, he insists in one of the computer programs I did not set it up correctly because ‘if they were both set up the same the numbers should be the same’. Forget the fact I checked my setting 3 times and they are the same. Not to mention, if the settings were different than why did 19,950 of the records mathc to the $0.00000000001???

My manager agress with me, I only have to look into the one big difference. But Dave is nagging me and it does not matter HOW politely I tell him I will not do it, my manager will get made at me for saying ‘no’

And this is where I am REALLY starting to think my manager is stupid and resent her. She wants me to say ‘Dave I will start with the big number first.’ In my mind, that is NOT honest because it is leading him to think that I do intend on looking into the other ones and I don’t ! ARRRGGGGHHHHHHH

What am I suppose to do???

CM

 

[kmuestwin]

I think you should look into all discrepancies that are over a certain number. Are there regulations that you can fall back to in order to prove your point? if not, maybe you can appeal to the precedent that you have set when you did this in the past.

My advice to you is to put up with Dave until you are done with him. After he leaves, it will be up to you and someone else to do the job correctly. I know from your other posts that Dave has made your life miserable since you began working with him.

Now is the time to protect yourself. You need to document all of your conversations with Dave. Also, save every email he sends you and any notes he leaves you. If he is going to be fired, HR will need that information to make a case against him. It is hard for a company to fire somebody. It costs a lot of time and money.

Wait, stay strong and suffer for the next two months. After that, it’s all ore and you will be free.

 

[KenChute]

Turn the other cheek.

 

[cmscms]

I think you should look into all discrepancies that are over a certain number. Are there regulations that you can fall back to in order to prove your point? if not, maybe you can appeal to the precedent that you have set when you did this in the past.

.

Unfortunately, Dave thinks he is ‘above regulations’ He is NOT one to take to rules. For example, once there was a REALLY important project and the AVP sent Dave an email saying that this was to take priority over everything else and I was suppose to work on that and only that until it was done. Dave went to my manager and asked if I could work on something else to which she said ‘No’. The next day he asked me to ask my manager if I could work on something else (which is when i found out he had already went to her) I said no. 2 days later he asked me to work on something else to which I repeated ‘The AVP told me not to work on anything until this task is done’ to which Dave says ‘Awww come on, everyone has 30 minutes to spare’. He just REFUSES to listen to authority and wants everything his own way.

And once he gets an idea in his head, there is no changing his mind. He is oblivious to how ridiculous he sounds when he keeps harping on things that are untrue. For example, there was a thread of emails where I was asking someone about the discrepancy and I cced Dave so he could see I was looking into it. In the email I distinctively said ‘I double checked but programs they are set up exactly the same way that is what is so mind boggling’. Dave immediately responds ‘The fact that the numbers are off indicates the programs are set up differently. Did you save the programs somewhere to double check them?’:banghead:

Did he not read my email ??? I clearly stated I double checked them !!! I just can’t take his idiocy and nuttinest anymore

 

[cmscms]

Turn the other cheek.

With all due respect, I clearly said in my title ‘I need support’. That is such a cold hearted thing to say

CM

 

[Castello]

Is there a documented scope and sequence or some similar set of specs for this project? Review those, memorize them and refer to them in your emailed responses.

"Dave,

Per paragraph 4 of the specifications for the buddy bear blocks program, mathematical variances equal to &/or greater than .04% are acceptable. I will direct my focus on those variances that exceed the specifications."

If such a document does not exist, go to the Project Manager, Business Analyst or whomever is in that type of role and get the acceptable variances documented.

 

[faithfully]

Is there a documented scope and sequence or some similar set of specs for this project? Review those, memorize them and refer to them in your emailed responses.

"Dave,

Per paragraph 4 of the specifications for the buddy bear blocks program, mathematical variances equal to &/or greater than .04% are acceptable. I will direct my focus on those variances that exceed the specifications."

If such a document does not exist, go to the Project Manager, Business Analyst or whomever is in that type of role and get the acceptable variances documented.

 

[SeaShoreGirl]

With all due respect, I clearly said in my title ‘I need support’. That is such a cold hearted thing to say

CM

CM, perhaps you should seek support in another, professional venue.Literlly, they’re nothing you can do about this, you’ve made it clear many times.

You have the (seeming) support of your manger. You really need to make the decision to quit or to stay. Or simply go to HR. This has been ridiculous and going on for far too long. You know that and asking us to make you feel better, but no words we have in the world can relly can.

You are asking the impossible of us in an impossible situation. if this was a spouse abusing his wife and the wife suggested she could not move or do anything about it our support would be best used to give a suppourtive kick in the hind end.

My job isn’t the best. It sometimes is painfully difficult. My boss is a jerk and I have long hours for no reason. But through working with my former head manager I made basic improvements. It’s still not great but I find myself having fun and working semi-regular hours now. I am still looking for another job, but it’s not as urgent. Had things not improved, i may have tried my chances with unemployment. Sometimes, you just have to make hard decisions.

 

[kmuestwin]

Unfortunately, Dave thinks he is ‘above regulations’ He is NOT one to take to rules. For example, once there was a REALLY important project and the AVP sent Dave an email saying that this was to take priority over everything else and I was suppose to work on that and only that until it was done. Dave went to my manager and asked if I could work on something else to which she said ‘No’. The next day he asked me to ask my manager if I could work on something else (which is when i found out he had already went to her) I said no. 2 days later he asked me to work on something else to which I repeated ‘The AVP told me not to work on anything until this task is done’ to which Dave says ‘Awww come on, everyone has 30 minutes to spare’. He just REFUSES to listen to authority and wants everything his own way.

And once he gets an idea in his head, there is no changing his mind. He is oblivious to how ridiculous he sounds when he keeps harping on things that are untrue. For example, there was a thread of emails where I was asking someone about the discrepancy and I cced Dave so he could see I was looking into it. In the email I distinctively said ‘I double checked but programs they are set up exactly the same way that is what is so mind boggling’. Dave immediately responds ‘The fact that the numbers are off indicates the programs are set up differently. Did you save the programs somewhere to double check them?’:banghead:

Did he not read my email ??? I clearly stated I double checked them !!! I just can’t take his idiocy and nuttinest anymore

I know that he is a very difficult person to work with. Keep in mind that you only have to work with him I this project for a little longer. It’s going to be tough but right now, you need to be more accommodating then ever before.

When this is all over, Dave is going to leave your project feeling bitter and disrespected. I know that he already feels that you don’t respect his leadership. It has been made apparent that it is almost impossible for you two to work together. For the next 6-8 weeks, you need to work harder than you ever have. That way when he leaves, he will be less inclined to try and make your life harder after he leaves from your department. You need to be the model employee. That means doing what your boss asks and doing your best to get what Dave needs done also. While you are working hard at doing everything right at your end, keep a log of everything he says and does in the office and over email. That documentation will protect you and strengthen your HR department’s case for his dismissal.

What you DON’T want to do is to act out toward his ignorance in any way. His inability to function in the office setting has been noted and he is being dealt with as the company sees fit. You need to buckle down and focus on your work until he’s gone.

Do whatever he asks. Check the programs a hundred times, find a $.30 discrepancy in your programs. IT DOESN’T MATTER because after he’s gone you will have your job!

This guy has been unbearable for you. I have read a lot of your posts on this issue and I feel like I know how you’re feeling and what you’regoing through.

Bide your time and wait. Offer up your frustration for the conversion of souls and pray for people with difficult coworkers.

 

[chevalier]

First of all, on what basis is Dave acting as if he were a manager or a team leader or some such? It looks like pleasing Dave is a company policy, which stinks if Dave doesn’t have formal authority. On the other hand, it’s possible that Dave is a long-term dedicated employee who has suffered some kind of psych damage e.g. due to work routines (and, also, a very unhappy person––incidentally, I know an IT professional who’s a bit like that). Then the managers would see the problem but dislike the possibility of doing anything against him.

Secondly, managers, need to act like grown people instead of playing passive aggressive (i.e. they’ll be in a bad mood if you don’t do something they’d rather you did, sort of like the battered wife that expects children to comply so that dad won’t get angry), and “getting mad” is not acceptable. Naturally, you cannot lecture them on this but you’re in your right when you want things to play by the book. Perhaps you may need to be assertive (without being plaintive or defiant). To those comments like, “you didn’t like working with him,” you can reply, “yes and you know for what reason,” or, “yes, and you know there were good reasons.” Just so they don’t develop a pattern of thinking like that.

Thirdly, something I have always insisted on in my circle of freelance professionals who occasionally have some accounting discrepancies with the clients: bickering for $0.27 for 15 minutes costs 1/4 of a man hour, which is more than the savings made by bickering. Perhaps you could convince people that small differences that are commonly accepted as not needing correction, should be left alone precisely on the ground that time is too precious to waste on them.

Lastly, managers are also human, and some of them may in a natural way subconsciously blame whomever talked about a problem instead of whomever caused it (because it wasn’t a problem until it surfaced). This is wrong and unjust but humans naturally think along these patterns (i.e. hang the messenger, this was a real problem for the warrior bringing news of defeat to an ancient ruler). With some people, unfortunately, you won’t be able to build a healthy, wholesome relationship. A healthy, wholesome relationship admits of occasional problems or complications anyway. This may be one of such occasions.

You’re in my prayers. Hope this gets solved soon so you can work without all the additional stress Dave brings about.

 

[puzzleannie]

As theWhat am I suppose to do???

CM

if it is accounting software you better get your IT guys involved because there is no rounding, unless you have some specific directive from your accountants otherwise. Let the person who sets the allowance for deviation speak with Dave and the team in charge of reconciling the report so you don’t have to.

pray for Dave every day, and before every meeting.
and pray for him after the meeting.
I think he used to work for our company.

 

[cmscms]

if it is accounting software you better get your IT guys involved because there is no rounding, unless you have some specific directive from your accountants otherwise. Let the person who sets the allowance for deviation speak with Dave and the team in charge of reconciling the report so you don’t have to…

I semi found the problem. ie I can shoe which table in the softaware went off the rockers but I can not say why. I can contact the sfotware vendor, unfortunately for me, Dave will not see that as pro-active. He does not like to deal with the vendors because ‘they never get back to him’ (I think he asks them dumb questions they do not want to deal with) and Dave expects ME to solve this. Once he gets an idea in his head ie it would be convenient if CM had the answer, he insists on things going that way and he will NEVER accept I don’t know the answer. He can’t live in the reality that not all software packages are perfect

pray for Dave every day, and before every meeting.
and pray for him after the meeting.
I think he used to work for our company.

Well, he did move from the states so probably

 

[cmscms]

First of all, on what basis is Dave acting as if he were a manager or a team leader or some such?.

He is the project manager but he thinks that means everyone else is his slave even people that don’t work on the project. He is too insecure to make a decision so he asks people other things but he always tries to do it in such a way as he looks like he can get the credit. For exampel, I asked him what needed to be done and he REFUSED to tell me. So I went to my desk and started to make myself useful. That night as I was going home he stopped me and said in an authoratative bossy tone of voice ‘Ok… I need to start managing your time’ and asked me what I had worked on. It was obvious he had no clue what I was saying and was going to use that to tell the AVP what ‘he’ told me to do. I just walked away

On the other hand, it’s possible that Dave is a long-term dedicated employee who has suffered some kind of psych damage e.g. due to work routines (and, also, a very unhappy person––incidentally, I know an IT professional who’s a bit like that). Then the managers would see the problem but dislike the possibility of doing anything against him.

No, Dave is new to the company and he moved to Canada from the states. Personally, I think he quit his previous job before he was fired

Thirdly, something I have always insisted on in my circle of freelance professionals who occasionally have some accounting discrepancies with the clients: bickering for $0.27 for 15 minutes costs 1/4 of a man hour, which is more than the savings made by bickering. Perhaps you could convince people that small differences that are commonly accepted as not needing correction, should be left alone precisely on the ground that time is too precious to waste on them.

Everyone in my company sees it that way. Dave couldn’t care less. When he wants something, he does NOT listen to reason and just will not shut up.

You’re in my prayers. Hope this gets solved soon so you can work without all the additional stress Dave brings about.

awww thank you so much. Just one thing, in English we don’t ‘hang the messanger’, we shoot him

 

[cmscms]

Well, since I have had a chance to rest over the holidays, I think I will go back with a new resolve to bite my tongue until hopefuly, Dave is gone which I think will be February 15th.

As much as I think this will be passive agressive, I think I will ignore some of his emails and if asked I will say ‘It is year end and I was working on ABC’. Of course I will be honest and if all my year end work is done, I will work on things for Dave. I think I will show that a table that compares the differences and I will look at all the ones that are over 0.25% difference (the usual limit) and anything other than that I will ignore. If Dave complains, then I will forward the email to my manager and tell her I don’t know how to handle it

CM

 

[EasterJoy]

If Dave complains, then I will forward the email to my manager and tell her I don’t know how to handle it.

It is not that you can’t think of anything to do, but that you aren’t free to do what you see fit without second-guessing from above…because obviously, in that case you would know to tell Dave he can take his nitpicking personnel-wasting complaints and jump in a lake.

On that account, consider wording it, “I could do X, Y, or Z, but before acting on my own, I wanted to know how you would prefer I handle this.” That way, if your manager’s preference is not acceptable (rather than just what you don’t like), then you can say so and go from there.

 

[chevalier]

He is the project manager but he thinks that means everyone else is his slave even people that don’t work on the project. He is too insecure to make a decision so he asks people other things but he always tries to do it in such a way as he looks like he can get the credit. For exampel, I asked him what needed to be done and he REFUSED to tell me. So I went to my desk and started to make myself useful. That night as I was going home he stopped me and said in an authoratative bossy tone of voice ‘Ok… I need to start managing your time’ and asked me what I had worked on. It was obvious he had no clue what I was saying and was going to use that to tell the AVP what ‘he’ told me to do. I just walked away

Hmm… well, since we’ve established that David is dysfunctional, I’m not sure about your conclusion. Maybe he’s just being quirky in one of his inexplicable ways? If you could establish that he really evades decisions that are his to make or claims credit that isn’t his due, you could go to the managers with that (that kind of behaviour is disloyal towards the company itself, the way I see it). But it’s very hard to assess such a possibility in a fully reliable way without actually catching someone stealing credit.

No, Dave is new to the company and he moved to Canada from the states. Personally, I think he quit his previous job before he was fired

I do wonder what makes the managers want so much to keep him. One explanation is that certain personality issues come with the ability to manipulate people, others make people (appear to be) efficient go-getters.

Everyone in my company sees it that way. Dave couldn’t care less. When he wants something, he does NOT listen to reason and just will not shut up.

Again, same as above.

awww thank you so much. Just one thing, in English we don’t ‘hang the messanger’, we shoot him

Thanks, yeah, I must’ve been tired or something. We hang them in my first language.

 

[Ellyakamommy]

How large is your company? Is it small enough that people are filling multiple roles, as in an executive that also serves the HR role? My experience has been that people don’t really want to create waves, even in a work environment, so issues like this get swept under the rug. Have you made a formal complaint to HR? This work situation is part of the reason HR exsists w/in companies and is supposed to be a situation that they work to resolve. Point out the issues, the course of action and that this personnel issue is not resolved. If nothing else, there needs to be clear guidelines about chain of command and work priority that are being enforced. The enforcement seems to be the lax part of this situation.

Good luck getting it resolved.