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Tuesday, March 1, 2016

7 Worse Responses I Have Ever Heard From A Manager: Why I Am Calling It Quits

I am turning my back on the company I have worked for these past three years. I am giving up my health insurance; I have no back up plan, and very little savings. 

Don't get me wrong. I love my job. Its the management I cannot take. The stress level has taken a big toll on my health and before I suffer from a more serious stress-induced chronic illness, I'd rather stay home and be a housewife, a mother, a part time grandmother and go for my lifelong dream to be a successful blogger/writer.

In my ten year stay in the BPO industry, I have had great leaders and good leaders. However, I have had my share of the worst leaders in the industry. 

Here are seven responses you never ever dreamed to come out of the mouth of a so-called manager. 

1. "I can't tell you."
When I asked my manager why was I given a performance rating of only "Average" when I know I did my job well. She simply said, "I can't tell you." Keeping secrets and being lied to is so unethical and has no place in the corporate world. I am very certain that VISIBILITY is one of the company's core values. 


2. "Management does not need your opinion."
During a meeting, we were informed that we would be moved to a different shift schedule. The change would mean losing our transportation allowance. I said, "I think you should have asked us first how these changes would impact our paycheck before you made the final decision?" 
Her response: "Management does not need your opinion."


3. "You cannot have a copy of the email. It is company property."
I was placed on redeployment status (similar to being temporarily laid-off) because the account I was supporting did not renew its contract with the company. I asked my manager why I was not informed earlier so that I could have requested for transfer to a more stable account. I asked for a copy of the email which stated the reason for the account's pull out. I was the one directly impacted but I was kept in the dark. When I demanded to be copied in the email thread, her response was: "You cannot have a copy of the email. It is company property."


4. "Why can't you stop asking questions?"
I always ask questions. I guess it was part of my upbringing. I was taught never to be afraid to ask questions when things are not clear or beyond my understanding. My mom never grew tired answering my whys and hows. She said being inquisitive was a sign of intelligence. I would say I have an insatiable thirst for learning, so questions were always part of my daily life. 

In the corporate world, asking questions is frowned upon by management. They want employees who are blind followers. People who post questions are labeled as smart asses. I don't know how asking a question for clarification can be so offensive for others. Are they afraid to find out that their subordinates are better than them? Are they scared of losing their ground? During meetings, I try my best to keep mum and act dumb, because I was told, "Why can't you stop asking questions?"


5. "Can't you email the stakeholders yourself?"
I am all for empowerment. However, there are certain tasks that are supposed to be the responsibility of managers. 

To cite an example, there have been numerous times that I lost connection with the remote server. When this happens, I immediately create a ticket for the local I.T. people to determine if it is a site issue. I email my manager and U.S. counterparts informing them of the issue and I include the ticket number for their reference. In most cases, the issue was resolved on site. However, on two to three occasions, the issue was on-shore. Taking into consideration the proper chain of command, emailing an I.T. Supervisor in the U.S. must be done by a manager. Whenever I ask my manager to please email the appropriate contact, she would say,  "Can't you email the stakeholders yourself?"


6. "Why are you so negative?"
I am not a negative person. Anybody who really knows me will say I am a great friend, I am easy to get along with, and a hard worker. 

I am opinionated, I speak my mind, and I am not afraid to tell someone that they are doing things the wrong way. I provide suggestions on how to resolve an issue. I am a "people person," therefore, I always look out for the good of everyone.

If that is negativity, then, I rest my case. 


7. "You have to attend the team building or else it will be taken against your performance rating."
Team building activities are sponsored by the company. Usually, we can expect to dole out a few hundred pesos to add to the fund, usually for food, or to pay for transportation. 

What goes on in this so called "team building" activity? It is usually an overnight or two day weekend affair in a resort. After driving several hours to get to the venue, you are required to participate in parlor games and relays to win small prizes. After that, you eat lunch and then it is "free time." The women do videoke, and the men drink. You have dinner and then go back to videoke and drinking. The following morning, you drive back home.

Why don't I attend team building activities? Because I would rather stay home and spend time with my family than to be in a far away place doing nothing but singing and drinking. That is not my kind of fun. If I would want to drink, I'd do it here. At home. With.My.Family. 

If I will be sanctioned for deciding to spend the weekend with my family instead, then I think their priorities are different from mine.


I have asked God's blessing in this major decision I made in my life. I will hold on to my faith in God and hope that everything will be for the best. I will miss my friends, however, I know they are just a text message or phone call away. 

I'll be keeping my chin up and moving forward. No regrets. No worries. I am setting my priorities straight, and I am sticking to it, no matter what happens.

In His time. In God's Perfect Time. 







35 comments:

  1. Keeping secrets isn't good in the workplace, but maybe there are reasons for them sometimes.

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  2. I have had a boss like this before! If you pray and seek God's will HE will bless you. Wishing you the best on your next endeavor!

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  3. It sounds like you made the right decision. About 2 years ago, I made the same decision to be a SAHM. I loved my job, but management was awful.

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  4. That is also my problem when I was working, I'm sure GOD has a good plan for us.

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  5. Congratulations! I am so happy to hear you are taking care of yourself and leaving such a depressing job. What a great opportunity this is. I'm a firm believer that everything happens for the best.

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  6. Sounds like bad management. They need to involve employees more in things

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  7. I could never work for a place that spoke to me like that. What a negative environment!

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  8. Ugh these things sound awful! Im sorry you have to deal with this

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  9. Those are some terrible responses especially with their visibility policy. I think it disgusting that your manager would lie to you so unethical.

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  10. What a frustrating situation to be in. I hope your are successful in finding a new venture for work for yourself and your family.

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  11. You have to take a stand for what is right. Manager sometimes forgets they are dealing with a human.

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  12. So sorry you are going through tough time at work but I think that if your health is being compromised, it's a good riddance.

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  13. Wow! good for you. I wish you all the best.

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  14. In your place, I would do the same thing. Something good may be just around the corner.

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  15. As they say, people do not quit companies. They quit bad bosses. Sounds like you had one of the worst. Trust that there will be something better for you. Hugs. I've had that before but it really is true when they say things happen for a reason.

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  16. It's unbelievable how obnoxious these people can get. Sometimes, because they are one or two positions higher they think they're better an no longer want to listen to you opinion. They make good companies look bad.

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  17. Wow! Get out of there seriously! I can see why it was affecting your health. I'm sorry you were in such a toxic environment for 3 years. Here's to a fresh start in your next chapter!

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  18. I loved all the sayings. Mostly I liked the one, It's better to walk alone that to walk in a crowd with many people in wrong directions. Fabulous.

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  19. That is also my problem a year ago. Glad you shared about it.

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  20. I hear you on this one. If the management is awful, the workplace is like torture. So sorry that happened to you. I wish you luck in your new endeavors!!!

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  21. way to go you do what is best for you

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  22. I'm actually learning all about this in my business management class! It's really sad the way managers can act - I hope you get this resolved ASAP!

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  23. These sound like some really bad managers. Good luck to you in the future.

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  24. I totally agree with you those were terrible phrases comming from management it's hard but keep up being a good worker and improving yourself and new paths will open

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  25. I've had to work for several bosses like this. Makes me wonder why they're in the management field and how they even got there.

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  26. Asking questions is essential! That only means that they afraid that you ask something and they dont know the answer... Like saying "I dont know.. lets find this out together" it is to hard to say..

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  27. I've heard a lot of these. I think the one about management not needing an opinion really hit a nerve. It's bad leadership not to listen to those under you. Even if you disagree it can be done in a polite manner without making a person feel insignificant.

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  28. I am so sorry you had to work in such a hostile environment. I had a job like that once and it was miserable. I am glad you were able to move on.

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  29. Praying for you my dear!! Its so frustrating how companies treat their employees.

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  30. All of these things are so ridiculous and make for a very poor working environment!! I can see how that would be incredibly frustrating. Sometimes it's better to leave things behind.

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  31. Wow, none of those responses are good leadership responses. Good for you for sticking with what you know is right.

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  32. It's terrible when you are not happy at your workplace. I think supervisors sometimes forget that they are supposed to lead their staff and not bring them down.

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  33. I am so glad I left the 9-5 life. If you're not happy with your situation, leave it. Choose a job that you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.

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  34. That is so frustrating! Good luck to you in your new endeavor and I hope you have much less stress!

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