CodeRedR51
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- 55,319
- United States
Anyone know a good way to tell your boss that his project deadlines are completely unrealistic without getting fired? 
Dilemma: How to not get fired.
- Thread starter CodeRedR51
- 21 comments
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- 3,460
- Hollywood
Don't tell, reason. Lay it out clearly. If he can't grasp what you are trying to explain, let him be a victim of his own mistakes.
Downhill Dino
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- 11,754
- Maryland
- DownhillDinosaur
Is there proof of it being unrealistic?
CodeRedR51
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- 55,319
- United States
I just feel like either way I'm doomed. And it's not just me, there are 5 of use working on the website as a whole and all of us are backed up because his 2-day estimates always take at least twice that. I feel like I tell him and get fired, or just let it go and finish them with however long they take and get fired that way...
We do the work, he doesn't. I've been here long enough to know that a full product update on 1,200 products for Brembo takes way more than the 2 days he says it should take. The project I finished last night (and stayed 30 minutes after closing to finish...) had a 2 day deadline and it took me a week.
- 35,426
- Downtown North Dakota
- Cy-Fi
Make sure all five of you are on the same page and talk to him. Lay down the facts and see what he says. If I was fired over that, I wouldn't want to work for him anyway.
- 4,420
- nealcropper
I just feel like either way I'm doomed. And it's not just me, there are 5 of use working on the website as a whole and all of us are backed up because his 2-day estimates always take at least twice that.
We do the work, he doesn't. I've been here long enough to know that a full product update on 1,200 products for Brembo takes way more than the 2 days he says it should take. The project I finished last night (and stayed 30 minutes after closing to finish...) had a 2 day deadline and it took me a week.
Then just tell him. But obviously in a nice way. Maybe it would be better if you all 5 told him together, without making him feel like you were "ganging up" on him.
Why has he set a 2 day timescale? Is it because he's boss or customer has requested it done by then? If so, he may already know.
If he respects your input as an employee then he should respond positively to your input.
CodeRedR51
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- 55,319
- United States
That's probably what it will come down to. Hell one of the girls here is even doing work at home in her spare time just so she can get it done. Combine that with some personal problems she's been having (family losing home, etc) I feel like both of us are going to crack soon.
I'm 28 and nearly 20% gray already on my head.
Straight up his expectations. We're talking about a website with nearly 1 Million individual product listings that have to be checked for accuracy and updated prices every year. Then there's adding new products...
- 4,420
- nealcropper
Well I can only tell you how it works were I work.
In the WWL, which is a trust of the NHS, if you feel that your superior is putting unfair demands on you then you go above their head, because obviously your not going to get anywhere with them. Would that be an option if he/she wasn't happy about you approaching them with your view? Bearing in mind, that he/she wouldn't be fulfilling their role as a superior if they didn't approach the opinions of their staff with respect.
Downhill Dino
Premium
- 11,754
- Maryland
- DownhillDinosaur
Confront him with one of your co-workers. One of you addresses the issue, the other will be a mediator. Having anymore then two of you might be overwhelming perhaps, but do mention that quite a few of you are struggling.
Also are you sure he isn't just trying to push you guys to work harder? Maybe this isn't a deadline thing but rather a way to get more productivity out of you guys.
Also are you sure he isn't just trying to push you guys to work harder? Maybe this isn't a deadline thing but rather a way to get more productivity out of you guys.
- 4,420
- nealcropper
CodeRedR51
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He's a co-owner of the company. He's top dog.
I've been talking with a co-worker and I think we agreed that we'll ride it out for a couple weeks and if it doesn't get better we'll all get together and speak up. Even if he's trying to get people to work harder, we're all working pretty hard. Some of us shouldn't have to work at home in our personal time to try and get caught up (and still not making any headway)
- 4,420
- nealcropper
He's a co-owner of the company. He's top dog.
Then all I can say is approach him with your opinions and if he doesn't agree then work as hard as you can, which you probably already are, and watch him squirm as the deadline comes and goes.
CodeRedR51
Premium
- 55,319
- United States
We have a "task manager" where we update on our progress. I try to update it as much as I can so he see's that I'm doing all that I can.
- 35,426
- Downtown North Dakota
- Cy-Fi
Facts, not opinions. It is my opinion that I should make more money when in fact I'm making 20% more where I am than similar work anywhere else in town.
No raise for me.
- 4,420
- nealcropper
CodeRedR51
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- 55,319
- United States
Facts, not opinions. It is my opinion that I should make more money when in fact I'm making 20% more where I am than similar work anywhere else in town.
No raise for me.
I've begged and pleaded with the help of my former supervisor (who quit to run his personal gun business) to get where I am now and it's still not nearly enough.
- 23,800
- Philippines
Time-motion study. Lay out exactly what work needs to be done, and show your boss how long each item takes, in terms of man-hours.
If the "task manager" has time stamps, you can show the average time that each of you takes to complete a task.
Some people are stuck on how it was easier to do things "back then". Simple spreadsheets or lists are easy. Cut-and-pasting text and pictures into a static html is easy. Doing a fully interactive site and table system takes much, much more time...
If the "task manager" has time stamps, you can show the average time that each of you takes to complete a task.
Some people are stuck on how it was easier to do things "back then". Simple spreadsheets or lists are easy. Cut-and-pasting text and pictures into a static html is easy. Doing a fully interactive site and table system takes much, much more time...
CodeRedR51
Premium
- 55,319
- United States
We're all using excel sheets for the most part. I have a system for checking prices that can update all 1,200 products in Brembo in less than 5 minutes. The thing that takes time is updating the rest of it. Making sure titles are correct, year fitments for each car are correct, making sure the car classifications match (so the parts show up in a search) etc, etc. All that has to be done individually, one at a time. I'm through 220 of them so far today.
- 26,628
- OREGON
- a6m5zero
I'm of the impression that this is a no-win situation. Boss with unrealistic expectations, doesn't pay well, and his employee is nervous about pointing out impossible project timetable, because he might get fired. I think TB's advice is rock solid, but it may be in your best interest to start looking around, see what's available out there.
If you are getting rich off the job, I can see how someone put up with it. I'm going to be little nicer to my bosses tomorrow.
If you are getting rich off the job, I can see how someone put up with it. I'm going to be little nicer to my bosses tomorrow.
CodeRedR51
Premium
- 55,319
- United States
I'm of the impression that this is a no-win situation. Boss with unrealistic expectations, doesn't pay well, and his employee is nervous about pointing out impossible project timetable, because he might get fired. I think TB's advice is rock solid, but it may be in your best interest to start looking around, see what's available out there.
If you are getting rich off the job, I can see how someone put up with it. I'm going to be little nicer to my bosses tomorrow.
Oh I have bosses too, just one of them is crazy strict.
And I would look for something else if I had a car. Because I don't, I would need something within a couple miles or something on the direct path of the really spread out bus route.
- 26,628
- OREGON
- a6m5zero
This is where my coworker would chime in & says "you just need to pick the right six numbers." implying lottery
I hope you guys get together & get through to the boss then. I don't deal particularly well with stress, and when it's work related, you can't really avoid them.
