Dear Dr. Work,
I have problem at office. I worked as an accountant that mostly responsible to analyze and preparing the report for monthly review. The review sent to my boss for review from him first.
If he said some need corrections, then I did it. After everything okay with my boss, I will sent the report to Head Office. They usually also gave some comment for me to revised. But my boss said no need to do it.
Each month I am dealing with it. I am quite confused which one should I follow. My boss or the Head Office. Fyi, my boss’ relationship with Head Office people are not in a good way, personally and business wise.
Please help me how to do solve this kind of problem. Which one should I follow? My boss or the Head Office people?
Regards,
Confused Worker
***
Dear Confused Worker,
I understand your confusion dealing with the two parties at your office. In one hand, it is your boss, direct superior whom is in control of your work life. On the other hand, the Head Office could also affecting your working life.
The complicated relationship between you, your boss and your Head Office people is common happening in real working life. You are not the only one, many people is facing and will be facing this kind of relationship in their working life.
Below are things that you can do for the situation, hopefully those steps can help you with the relationship effect that you are facing now.
Knowing what is the reason
First, you need to know what is the reason that your boss doesn’t want to comply with the Head Office’s review. And you need to know also why there is additional review from Head Office. Both side should have their own reasons. Figuring out the “why” isn’t easy but if you do, you can do the next step easily.
For example, your boss doesn’t want to comply due to his bad relationship with the Head Office’s people. This is personal, then what you can do next is to convince your boss that the review from Head Office is actually a good thing for the company point of view. In this case, you need to know why the Head Office gave those reviews.
Approach the boss and Head Office personally
If you already know that your boss has issues with the Head Office people, such example above, then you need to do an approach to your boss personally. You can remind him about the company goals. A good boss shall do the best for company.
In the other hand, you need to approach the Head Office people also. If they reasons of the review didn’t make sense, you have to able to say no also. While doing this personal approach individually, you have to keep your mind in the sake of company.
Do the best you can
In the both ways above, all you can do is giving the best you can for the company. Many will see how you work and they will recognize you at the end. In any situations you are facing, always keep in mind that you had delivered the best you can do. As many say: “Do the best, and let God do the rest”.
I hope those steps can help you to get out from the current conditions. The steps are not easy to do.
Best wishes,
Dr. Work
***
Additional advice written by Dr. Work that are not published by the paper:
Last resort
You have done anything you can to fix the problem. But at the end, you are noticing that there are no changes in your boss’ and your Head Office people’s behavior, there is one thing you can do. The last resort that you can do is resigning.
I am not suggesting you to resign immediately, but if you already done everything you can, do it. The complicated relationship between your boss and Head Office people will be affecting your work tremendously. So, instead of being caught in between, let go yourself from the bad relationship.
A bad relationship among co-workers isn’t good environment to be involved in. The bad relationship towards the working environment has negative effect. The relationship effect also would eating all the good things that are existing there. But remember, that an ideal environment isn’t easy to find.
When you do resign and apply to other company, you might find the same bad relationship again. It is your choice then, to stay or to leave. No matter what the choice is, you need to give all out – do the best you can and be responsible to each choices.
*****
This is my submission for EF#20 – Relationship Effect from Blog English Club. If you want to know what is Blog English Club and others submission for the challenge, you can click on the link above.