Posted on 06/21/2013 2:05:23 PM PDT by Catmom
Just found out my new boss is someone I've worked with since she was a student about 15 years ago. She's always been a stellar employee and I don't question why she got the job. It's just that she's been known to throw her opinions around at work, especially with conservative coworkers.
For example, early last year, when she was still a house supervisor, I went to her and complained about the huge number of nurses in our hospital who refuse to speak English at work.
I only came to her to vent because we've know each other so long. She gave me an uncomfortable look and said, "Well, that's a very conservative opinion." Taken aback, I responded to her that my concern had nothing to do with politics because the hospital has an English only policy and it clearly wasn't being enforced. She stunned me further by telling me that she'd never heard of it, but that she would look it up.
Stunned, I shared this conversation with one of the charge nurses who has had to deal with ongoing complaints from patients and families about the same problem. I didn't intend to start trouble but word got around the hospital about this and the managers, thank goodness, had meetings with their staff about the English at work policy. I didn't get into trouble and, so far as I know, neither did my new boss, but I'm sure she hasn't forgotten this.
I have since had conversations with former coworkers of hers to the effect that she's pretty free in expressing her opinions and confronting those who disagree. But not in an obnoxious way; that's not her style. I just hope she'll have the good sense to focus on job performance and leave politics, her own and other's, out of her supervision of them.
Any advice you have to share will be much appreciated.
She ceased being a "friend" when she became your manager. Have a cry and buy some flowers or something to console yourself because if you considered her a friend before, that's over and done with forever. She's dead to you. This might seem harsh, but if some third party thinks you are getting special breaks because of your friendship, it won't go well for either of you, even if unfounded. She'll go hard on you just to prove otherwise.
Secondly, stop talking to people. I don't know why anybody ever has this insane urge to "vent." Nothing good ever comes of it and if you want to work for this prog you'd better get used to keeping your trap shut, and not just around her. Others you think of as "friends" could decide one day to go "vent" to her and your ass is in a vice.
You were correct to speak with her first about the policy violations, but a curt notification is all you should give. If she fails to act, then you can go up the ladder if you have to to get it resolved. Keep it on a professional level. If you know where it is in the company policy, be prepared. But no venting. It's bad "office politics." It might make you "feel better," but it just pisses off everybody else around you and marks you a malcontent. BTW, even if you've been in the job for years earning your cred, you can still be brought down by petty office politics.
When she mentions politics, tell her to shut her pie hole, and you won’t report her this time.
That’s pretty much the state of things. Damned progressives have made working and just about every other aspect of living miserable.
IMHO...
you have your present job/work/business life that in the immediate term is difficult to change.
Over time, however, there’s a lot everyone can do to effect good changes in society.
Posting at FR is a good start, then take it from there, the sky’s the limit !
My Gf here in L.A. is a also a medical professional and one thing I’ve learned in life is NEVER open up to another female as they never keep a secret, plus she’s a lib? That’s a losing proposition.
I’m not into providing a solution like most Freepers saying “leave your job” which to them, sounds easy but it’s not. I work in Hollywood and HAVE to deal with idiotic liberals every damn day and it takes a lot for me not to strangle them or kick them in the face. Keep your opinions to yourself, find only like-minded people to open up with, but keep everyone close to you as they eventually spill some info. You know the saying “keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”
I chortled.
Then I point out that our society evolves through ideas. If we all have the same ideas then we are like some bird that can only eat one type of plant seed. Fine as long as there are plenty of seeds, extinct if it doesn't work out.
Society is similar, we need a range of ideas and viewpoints so that we don't get trapped by the wrong ones.
That usually silences them, and gives them something useful to think about. Few of them realize that their entire philosophy depends on their ideas being right, and that it will and does fail miserably because nobody can make the right decisions and manage society. That's what free markets are for.
You might want to use what I always used (especially at work): I never discussed sex, religion, or politics.
It has been a personal policy that has stood well all these decades, and I worked in Washington State as well as Oregon. I’m 61 years old.
I always have said,and believe, “ I work for God and my employer gives me a paycheck.”
And ask yourself “Do i want to be right or do I want to be happy?” If you respond you will be, as they say in boxing, “leading with the chin.”
Remember, that person has years on you in developing her style and behaviors...you will never win...accept who she is for who she is because that is who she is and that is reality.
Sounds like a great kid. I bet they did explode. It is probably refreshing for him to have some new perspectives. How cool you were out playing with them! Very cool!
NOT Funny??
Lady ,
You’re Libtard boss Will stab you in the back Every chance She gets now that You have shown You’re racist backside And made Her look bad .
You get a sense of humor or a lawyer.
I’ve had a lot of success when inefficiencies occur between my company and various government agencies that we deal with. “Why don’t we put them in charge of our health care too”, usually gets an uncomfortable chuckle which I can see strikes a nerve at the same time....
If she is violating stated Company Policy, (check your Employee Handbook), she should be reported to her Superior.
Time on the clock is owed to the people who pay her Salary, not her idiotic Liberal causes. Her Political opinions, from her role as a Superior to other staff, could be reported as Harassment. That being said, if you don’t agree with her your Livelihood could be negatively impacted by her bias against you, whether real or imagined.
As another Poster already mentioned, the only way to shut a Liberal up is to take their grievances to the next level. Fir example, they complain about the minimum wage (?), suggest it be raised to $100 an hour so everyone’s rich. Same with Tax Rates, Vehicle MPG, you name it. The dirty little secret is simple, a Liberal is never satisfied.
Again, such topics should only be discussed during time away from the Job, not while on the clock.
I have found that if one is very, very tactful and uses the correct tone and approved lingo, one can get away with saying quite a lot. For instance, use "communication" when talking about language and say "I'm worried about communication with some of my co-workers... I'd be so upset if I misunderstood something important because I didn't catch what they said." That sort of thing.
I have worked with people like that. It does no good to challenge or disagree. Do not discuss politics; nod politely and smile when she does so she will have no idea what you think. As soon as possible, if you have to talk, politely change the subject to something you have in common, such as food, children, interior decoration, knitting/crafts/sewing, any kind of neutral subject. In my experience, people like that need to be given enough rope, and any attempt to challenge them just slows down that process. At some point she will blow it and you will have the last laugh.
You’re a teacher in LA, I believe. It sounds like you’ve mastered the verbal gymnastics liberals use in order not to “offend” anyone. I know all about that kind of “communication” and am fully capable of playing that game when I have to, which is too often. Sorry to sound so sarcastic, but I’m tired of having to kill my soul like this. At this point, it’s just a form of surrender. And those who are winning just keep pushing for more.
Sounds like the makings of a hostile work environment to me - sue her the first time she makes your life uncomfortable.....
Yes, I have had to master the verbal gymnastics, and yes, it is tiresome. But right now, I don’t know what other options we have.
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