What do you think of a boss who refuses to transfer an employee because he'd rather fire him?

[skygazer]

Our new manager is a delightful piece of work. We've gone from a guy who really cared about his employees to a sadistic and vindictive bastard. No one is happy anymore and a lot of people have quit but a lot of people have nowhere else to go.

One of our employees is a guy who's not the brightest crayon in the box but he's dependable, he never calls in sick, he works hard, he doesn't complain, he's good with the customers. For some reason, this dickwad doesn't like him and he's been riding him unmercifully.

The guy would just as soon transfer to another store and there are a couple of stores that would be glad to have him but you have to have your manager's release to do it and this guy won't give it. He told another employee that he wanted to keep the guy there so he could write him up enough times so he could fire him. :wow:

What kind of miserable scumbag does business like that?

[idgiehkt]

1. that must be really tough to watch

I can't stand sadism in people. Once I see that someone enjoys, even lives, to hurt others, I have like an internal kill switch where I just can't bring myself to interact with them anymore, I just can't get past it...I cut people out of my life in a heartbeat once I see that trait in them. I can't imagine watching someone being treated that way. I hope the guy will document everything and then he can sue for 'improper termination' or whatever it's called. A :hug: for you, I hope this guy doesn't last too long...reading this made me feel lucky as I have never worked for anyone 'quite' that evil, even though I've had some harsh bosses that didn't like me personally. I'd handle it better if it were me than having to watch it happen to someone else.

You know, I think sadistic people pick on people that they know they can get away with it with. Another reprehensible quality. :hug: It might be time to get out the voodoo dolls

[skygazer]

3. Unfortunately he's not the only one

Our HR department is for the most part a tool of the corporation - I've never known an employee to get any satisfaction through them. And they promise confidentiality but the way they go about their investigations, the entire place knows who called them.

Several employees have filed complaints with HR that were never followed up and they're afraid to make too much of a fuss because they need their jobs. It's frustrating - I've personally not had an issue with him but it's very hard to see friends in fear.

Two women who recently left because of him have contacted HR and bluntly told them that they needed to address this or they would be retaining lawyers. They have documentation going back for several months so I hope it goes somewhere.

[idgiehkt]

4. I worked for a plant that was like that

They had the sweetest lady in H.R. that would listen to all your woes and nothing would ever be done about it. My boss that was overbearing and would yell and scream at all the women there, nothing was ever done no matter how many women complained, until i pointed out that he was stealing from the company. They eventually fired him for that...the other stuff, the way he treated the women, didn't seem to matter at all to them.

[Orsino]

2. I dunno, but...

...the employee needs to document this immediately. I suspect that policy prohibits a manager's holding up a transfer unless <1> the employee is critical to operations or <2> the employee is on written notice for some infraction or poor performance. The boss needs to be pinned down on which it is ASAP.

[skygazer]

6. I intend to read the contract thoroughly

Quite honestly, I wouldn't mind a transfer myself and I'm not sure of the exact policy. Unfortunately, I could probably be considered "critical to operations" but my friend certainly is not.

As stated above, our HR department is useless as is our Union for the most part - no one wants to make waves, no one wants to fight. It's depressing and discouraging. :(

But I believe he is documenting as are several others. Whether anyone will get anywhere with it remains to be seen.

[Xipe Totec]

5. Been there

Worked for an asshole who would not let me transfer.

Once you get a bad review, you cannot move; it's a catch 22.

Smart managers know this so they give good, or at least acceptable review to people they don't like, so they can move elsewhere in the organization.

Stupid managers give bad reviews and get stuck with the people they hate and the people that hate them. Eventually, the employee quits, or the manager quits, or both get laid off.

If not at the same time then very soon thereafter.

[ThomCat]

7. Evil bastards like that should never, ever be given any

authority whatsoever. x(

[Generic Brad]

8. How horrible!

I find it wonderful when someone who works for me gets promoted or advances their career. It makes me feel like I have done my job well. Plus I develop allies all over the place.

Managers who want to set people up to fail do not deserve to be in management.

[Redstone]

9. What made that manager change, do you think?

Just curious; there's NO excuse for the way he's acting.

Redstone

[skygazer]

18. Sorry, I wasn't clear

Our former manager was the great guy - he was given another store. This clown is his replacement.

[mark414]

10. does he have a superior that you could talk to?

tell him everything you said here, though you may need to be a bit more diplomatic in your language.

what kind of businessman would keep a manager who was driving all of his employees away?

[skygazer]

19. It's the entire corporate mentality

His superior is possibly a bigger jerk than he is. They've gone from being customer service oriented to being profit-motivated and its been reflected in our contract, in our management and in our working conditions. They seem to think they can get the same level of customer service from employees who make half as much and do twice as much work.

I think they've miscalculated.

[bluedigger]

11. Take the bastid down!

It's always easier to replace the manager than the team!

[Nikia]

12. That boss is a scumbag

What person takes pleasure in causing trouble for another human being like that. If I did not like an employee, I would be happy to transfer him. That is what most decent people would do.

[mitchum]

13. Plant some blow in his desk and make a phone call

[Lars39]

17. my contribution was going to be sugar in his gas tank,

but your suggestion sounds good, too. :)

[Gormy Cuss]

14. You know what stinks?

I know of two other locations of your employer where the managers bend over backwards to retain the not-so-bright but reliable and affable crayons. It's the main reason that I spend any money there.

[skygazer]

20. And that was my old boss

Who has been with them for close to 35 years and now hates it - he's just hanging on until retirement. Honestly, a lot of customers have bailed to go to his new store - that's how good he is.

[cloudbase]

15. Despite what they say or call themselves,

HR is there for the company, not for you. BTW, if you feel your union is useless, you can definitely do something about that. Get active.

[Skittles]

16. scumbag

yes INDEED

well, you nailed it - the new boss is a scumbag

[MissMillie]

21. I'm surprised that upper management hasn't noticed

the high turn-around in your department.

That should worry folks higher up.

[skygazer]

22. I think its presented as a "cleaning house"

We had an interim manager for close to a year who was inexperienced so profits fell off a bit and the store wasn't looking as good as it should have. Not horrible but not ship-shape.

So I think all the changes are seen as "tightening up" - the store is undeniably running more smoothly and it's pulling in a very good profit so on paper, all looks great.

The problem is that the employees are bitterly unhappy, fearful and browbeaten. But who cares about the employees, after all?

[MissMillie]

25. well, a good employer would care about it's employees

but there are very few who put those concerns above financial concerns.

[raccoon]

23. There are so many SOB's bosses out there like that.

Skygazer, google "workplace bullying;" you'll find plenty.

I don't know how well you know this employee who is being targeted by the bully, but I hope he is documenting everything. The important thing is to show a PATTERN of harassment/bullying.

Sure, HR is no use. Tim Field, a Brit who's done a lot to bring workplace bullying to people's attention, says that HR only exists to keep the employer out of court. I believe it.

I hope those women you mentioned, or somebody else, can make something stick to this bully.

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." --Lord Acton

[Parche]

24. I Feel Your Pain

It sucks when you have a boss that is ignorant and actually stupid sometimes.
I had one who kind of liked me, but never gave me any help, I was doing over $2Million
in sales, and just brought in over $3Million more, and I was doing that all by myself
when he never hired anyone else to help me, needless to say I got way too overloaded
and when I went on vacation he got really irritated.

Its hard to find good bosses or employees for that matter,
I now have a fantastic boss, and work with a few good people
:bounce: :hi:

[Burma Jones]

26. A Home Depot Manager?

My Brother has horror stories. Fortunately, it drove him to being a contractor.....and he's doing quite well now.