The Mean spirited Boss at Christmas

[obee60]

I work for a very large multi national company that runs a 24/7 operation.
As a crew Boss, at this time of the year I traditionally have the flexibility to allow all but those needed for emergency situations to go home to their families, after we complete the necessary production.

Unfortunately this year the department Manager appears to have been bitten by the Christmas Grinch.

We are working night shift Christmas Eve and Christmas night.

I got an email from him late Friday evening telling me that there will be no "shorter/leaner shifts etc". The email then went on to say I shouldn't explain this to my Crew as coming from the Manager, I should tell them it is my expectation.

The clanger of the email is when he states the following.
"I would encourage to of course celebrate the day (as has been past practice) during the customary xmas meal break, however it is work as normal."

How much do you reckon I'm looking forward to telling my Crew, who by the way are the best performing in the department, that I'm sorry people, but you can't go home to your families early, even if you do get the job done. You will all just have to hang around and watch the clock until the normal knock off time.
I guess I could get them to do some housekeeping while they're waiting.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

[Ivan in Oz]

Where I work,
we also work 24/7.
We likely supply the Electricity to some of your 'Pootas

Friday, 21st, was a Team BONDING Day

Lunch at the Local Sporties Club,
and then Golf; at the Golf Club..............Where else
All paid for by the Company.

Yes!
Some Bosses are good,
while still remaining Bosses and gaining the due Respect.

Other Bosses shouldn't be

[wheelinround]

Stick his e-mail up so all can read it or tell him to stick where the sun don't shine

[Eli]

I say if he isn't there (which he surely won't be, he'll be at home celebrating with his family), you get a single guy to stay late and clock everybody out, and give 'em your own X-mas bonus by sending them home on your own. But I understand if you don't, it would be your job I'm sure.

[astrid]

you could always say you were so busy getting up to scratch before christmas, that you didnt see the Email.
send em home anyway if their not needed, their your crew!

Astrid

[obee60]

Unfortunately I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.

1)All emails are read receipted.
2)All entry/exits from the plant are electronically monitored/tagged.

I'll just try and explain it the best I can, making sure it's known it wasn't my idea, even though that's what I'm supposed be telling them.

[astrid]

then send a reply to your boss acknowleging reciept and ask if a simple supper can be put on by the firm for those staying behind.
circ to all staff including your boss's boss.
That way staff will know that one, it wasnt your Idea, Two that the boss is a gutless git , and three, his boss will know whats going on.

Phrase it carefully and it will look like you understand managments concerns but that you also wish to reward a top team and keep up moral.

Astrid

[womble]

then send a reply to your boss acknowleging reciept and ask if a simple supper can be put on by the firm for those staying behind.
circ to all staff including your boss's boss.
That way staff will know that one, it wasnt your Idea, Two that the boss is a gutless git , and three, his boss will know whats going on.

Phrase it carefully and it will look like you understand managments concerns but that you also wish to reward a top team and keep up moral.

Astrid

yes do something to show him/her up as the gutless so n so they are...

[fenderbelly]

then send a reply to your boss acknowleging reciept and ask if a simple supper can be put on by the firm for those staying behind.
circ to all staff including your boss's boss.
That way staff will know that one, it wasnt your Idea, Two that the boss is a gutless git , and three, his boss will know whats going on.

Phrase it carefully and it will look like you understand managments concerns but that you also wish to reward a top team and keep up moral.

Astrid

Totally agree with this, and if the A/H@le ignores it your crew will know who to blame.

[Sturdee]

The email then went on to say I shouldn't explain this to my Crew as coming from the Manager, I should tell them it is my expectation

Whilst it may be his right to dictate the hours to be worked, it is totally unacceptable and unconsciable to demand that you lie on his behalf.

Reply back to say that whilst you'll all work the hours demanded by him, you will not lie on his behalf, with a copy to senior management.


Peter.

[Eli]

Astrid's idea is ace!

[RufflyRustic]

I have to agree with Sturdee.

If you have the best team, then for goodness sake, don't disrespect them by lying to them. Let the guys read the email, and tell the boss what you did and that you won't lie for him.

Yeah the boss is a gutless wonder.

[ivanavitch]

Email him with a link to this thread.

[Ivan in Oz]

Email him with a link to this thread.

From somewhere / someone else.
No need to Shoot yourself in the foot

[Eli]

Don't link it from anywhere. Where will you bitch about him in the future?