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Old 02-02-2010, 06:48 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Corporate Politics

Guys,

Looking for some words of Wisdom here and help to REPLY to this email below. Bascially I got this corporate email from my BOSS and I feel he is tottaly after me on this one and that all the points listed are not true. In person he acts friendly and nice but really trying to stab the knife in the Back with this email. However, I want to be polite and apoligze but this want to convey I do well at my job and take it seriously. I am posting on this forum here to obtain assistance on how to reply back?? I know I can count on my good friends here at TFP for sure antytime!

My defense is that I do good work on all this pointers below on a consistent basis and this is a FIRST time I am hearing of any of this and really shcoked that I recieved this. I feel this manager got a bit ticked that I am trying to grow my carrer and excell and he wants to keep me in a stand still so is trying to shoot me down with this email and keep in me check. However I will continue to strive for growth! Regardless I need help to diplomatically attack back with assertives and seriousness that I do care for this job and care for what I do. As far as WAN outages, hardly anyone on the TEAM sends those and he should be Alerting this to ALL and not just me. I was under the impression these emails were going out however will empaizse and ensure that they go out in the future. All my tickets are well documenated and can be seen in the work log and same goes for shift Turnover. So here is the email. Please help me with a response. Thanks to you all in advance.



XXX, (Employee Name)



This email is being sent to document our conversation on January 21st , the content of which we also reviewed today. Our conversation was the result of your repeated failure to follow procedures detailed in the Operating Procedure document and also available on the SharePoint. As discussed, these activities have not been consistently competed as per procedure or omitted altogether in multiple instances since the beginning of the year. These failures were in specific activities that you are required to perform related to the day to day operational requirements when responding to alerts as follows:



1. WAN Outage Emails

a. WAN Outage Emails are to be sent from within Remedy for any critical alert from the SNMPc monitoring system as prescribed in the documentation.

b. Updates emails are to be sent from within Remedy when new information is received or the status of the outage changes as per documentation.



2. Ticket Documentation

a. Any contact or attempted contact with vendors, customers and TTS or other TW technicians is to be documented in the work log, including method of contact (email, phone, etc.) and result.

b. Accurate and complete Region and Location information is to be entered for each SOC Event ticket as per documentation.

c. The Remedy Asset table information must be checked and used if found for Affected CI data as per documented procedures.

d. The Remedy contact and location database should be updated as necessary when changes as found.



3. Shift Turnover

a. The shift turnover document must be reviewed for accuracy prior to distribution to ensure the information is relevant to the events of the outgoing shift and not simply a copy and paste of the preceding shift’s turnover as documented.

b. Participation in the Shift Turnover is mandatory for all shift members.





I need to reinforce that this unreliable behavior will not be tolerated and corrective action must be taken to avoid further discipline. You are expected to follow all of the team’s procedures at all times and if you have any questions about those procedures you are to bring them to my attention immediately.



If you have any questions or comments regarding these requirements or the meeting, please send those to me via a reply to this email.



Mr. Manager

Last edited by slushi123; 02-04-2010 at 10:58 AM..
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Old 02-03-2010, 06:01 AM   #2 (permalink)
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I don't think you realize what this is. You're being written up and this email has been placed in your file. The manager is trying to fire you with cause. If you want to keep this job, you need to follow the instructions to the letter, regardless of what others are doing. He's documented YOUR failures, not theirs. He's writing you up for failing to follow procedure, and any response that you give him that's anything beyond either "yes, I understand" or "the sole reason that I wasn't able to follow procedure was [reason completely out of your control]" will only antagonize him.

If you want to play the political game here, you need to realize that you've got little manuver room here and that the stakes are high. Personally I suggest that you post this in front of you and make sure that you're following procedure to the point of annoying everyone around you. If you don't, you'll probably be looking for a new job soon.
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Old 02-03-2010, 06:25 AM   #3 (permalink)
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What ticks me off, (I know it's corporate hence unreasonable to be ticked off but still) is the wording. "Repeated failure"? "Unreliable behavior"? That's some fucked up bullshit. They make you sound like they accidentally hired a monkey that is now dancing around the office breaking stationery. I fuckin' hate that shit!

Ohh, what Jazz said.
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Old 02-03-2010, 11:56 AM   #4 (permalink)
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Just curious, is English your second language?
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Old 02-03-2010, 01:07 PM   #5 (permalink)
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Unfortunately your boss has the control regarding what goes in your file and you have control over how you either respond or react. Reacting would be to complain, argue or offer a rebutal to his note to be added to your file. Responding would be to lower your head and make sure what you do is perfect. He is two steps away from booting you if you don't alter your behavior to fit his expectations. You only other recourse is to begin looking for a new job while you have this one because it is muhch easier to find a job when you have a job!

Good luck!
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Old 02-03-2010, 02:01 PM   #6 (permalink)
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start looking for another job dude! if your really are already doing everything listed then your toast no matter what. if you aren't doing it, start doing it perfect or your toast.

I got a meeting with my boss/hr and then a similar letter. mostly pertaining to how much work I was getting done, completing my help desk duties, as well as getting project work...

I started busting my ass working lots extra, getting all my helpdesk work done and getting all the project work my boss would give me, and even asking team members if they needed any help when the boss was slow at getting me new assignments.

after a month we had another meeting... she said my Helpdesk work was much better, but still needed to do more project work... so I continued to bust my butt and ask her for more project type work as soon as I needed it and still assist others when possible...

another month goes by and they got rid of me. if I needed to do more project work, then she needed to give it to me... I was doing every bit she gave me.

sucks dude... I'd shape up at work and start looking for something else.
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Old 02-03-2010, 02:09 PM   #7 (permalink)
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This was exactly the opening salvo I sent to my employees when they were well within my sights. I was already accumulating data and times when they were not in compliance, and this was the opening shot at the 6 months of documenting behavior before I fired someone.

Many other managers thought that I just fired people when I wanted to and couldn't seem to get it into their heads that they had to show some cause and back it up with something so that HR didn't get all kumbaya pansy ass on them.

Document, document, document. And then I'd fire you one day which seemed out of the blue. No, it wasn't it was usually 6 months to the day from this email or sit down with the employee and HR.

In addition to what Jazz is saying about following this to the letter, is make sure that you document it as well. Documentation works both ways, so the more information you have to counter these claims the better off you are. If you are sending out an email for an outage, make sure you cc: your boss.

If you are truly trying to improve yourself, then it's important for you to take the chip off your shoulder for a moment, and humbly ask your boss to show you EXACTLY what you're doing wrong and when. When I say humbly, I mean like when you first applied for a job you didn't act all cocky and smart alec. Let him know that you understand that the policy but maybe want some better clarification ask to exactly when and where you failed.

good luck.
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Old 02-03-2010, 03:41 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cynthetiq View Post
If you are truly trying to improve yourself, then it's important for you to take the chip off your shoulder for a moment, and humbly ask your boss to show you EXACTLY what you're doing wrong and when. When I say humbly, I mean like when you first applied for a job you didn't act all cocky and smart alec. Let him know that you understand that the policy but maybe want some better clarification ask to exactly when and where you failed.
Just needed to re-emphasize this point.

It's a hard lesson to learn and implement but it's key.
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Old 02-03-2010, 03:43 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Just swallow your pride and suck the long dick of politics.
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Old 02-03-2010, 05:01 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pearl Trade View Post
Just swallow your pride and suck the long dick of politics.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hank Moody
"Once-upon a-time, I wrote a novel. Then I wrote another. People seemed to dig it so I wrote another. That’s when Hollywood came knocking at my back door. As soon as I cashed that check I wrapped my lips around the mighty erection that is the Film Industry and sucked hard just like a good whore should."
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Old 02-04-2010, 06:04 AM   #11 (permalink)
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First off Thank You to everyone who is chipping in and sharing there comments. Currently at the present moment I'm looking for exact verbiage on what EXACTLY to reply back as HR was copied on this email along with the managers boss. Can you guys help me create the email to send back? Tell me EXACTLY what to say and then I can tweak it from there. The thing is I have been working for him for 4 years and this just happened all out of a sudden. Can I ask what is going on here and what is he trying to do or use the humble approach and tell him to explain how I can improve myself? I do my job and do it pretty well I feel and hasnt shown me any proof otherwise? We work in an enviroment that is an open shared workspace so it is a TEAM effort on all items we work as a Shift. I understand the finger is pointing at me but I am just mentiniong he should be ALERTING all staff of WAN outages, as I look through all the tickets (out of a team of 12 - maybe 2 are sending it) I have started sending mine and making sure I do. As I mentioned this is a First time I am hearing about any issues with my performance, why was I not mentioned this earlier as he says its been going on since beg of the year? I feel one item is that he doesnt like when I try to strive for carrer growth. I have reptealty been trying to get out of this dept after I got my MBA but have been having SO MUCH trouble to strive out here without his support. He gives me no resources or any advocy but buy me a book and try to learn things within this dept to further your growth without networking with anyone.

Hes the type of manager that trys to avoid it and only has a disucession with me because he has too. He says my carrer is in my own hands and I am responsible for it! We had another verbal chat about this email yesterday as I brought it up to him and he says that its not that bad and its only a coaching session you will haveto do and more of a warning situation. He says hes not going to ding me on small things but wants me to do my job, however if it happens again we will need talk again. Before he sent this email out he did pull me in the office and tell me he was going to do it and I said "is that necessary?" he said its his job and he has too. What we talked in the room before sending this email is DIFFERNT than whats in writing. Should I go talk to my managers boss and keep my ducks in a row and have a chat to save my carrer? Thats BS!! he could have just document my file without. I understand my job is on the line but I NEED this job it keeps me and my wife on our feel but I def dont want to do this forever thats for sure. Maybe he is pushing me to find another job indirectly? Can I go talk to HR lady he copied direclty and disucess with her why I feel what he sent is unfair and UNTRUE mostly? Where is the factual evidendce?
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Old 02-04-2010, 06:39 AM   #12 (permalink)
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I would bet a week's pay that sometime between tomorrow and 6 months from now, you'll be fired. Your manager doesn't like you, doesn't want you around and it will be extraordinarily difficult to change his mind. Compounding this is the fact that you really don't see what is going on or know how to react.

I would salute, say "yes sir, I'll do my best sir", do everything the letter says, and then update your resume and start looking for another position.
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Old 02-04-2010, 06:41 AM   #13 (permalink)
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Wow, I think I'm starting to understand how your boss feels. You haven't paid attention to anything we've said.

I manage several people directly and several more indirectly. I have a mantra that I've always followed - if I have to manage you, I'm going to manage you out the door. Perhaps that's what's happening here, but I don't think it's that simple.

A couple of things - this didn't "happen all of a sudden" and he could not have documented your file without this email. The email is documentation, and cc'ing HR proves it. If he's planning on firing you with cause, then this is the setup. Also, you have no way of knowing if anyone else has been written up. Everyone else who's not following procedures could have similar letters in their files. You just don't know - and unless that employee tells you, you never will.

Do NOT craft a response unless you have hard and fast evidence that disproves these points, which you don't have. The response will go into your file. When (not if) the time comes that your job performance is being reviewed, the response will be held against you.

We're not capable of decyphering "why" for you. We don't have the details and we only have your side of the story. It's entire possible that you're just a shitty employee. I'm assuming the opposite, but that's one of the many variables that we don't and won't have in helping you.

If you are going to go against this advice, I sincerely hope that you make sure that the response is completely understandable with no AOLspeak or abreviated words. If you have an MBA, you should know that the ability to write complete and comprehendable sentences sways other peoples' opinions about the writer. Don't get caught sounding like a dumb teenager.

And do NOT go to your manager's boss without your manager's express permission. You'll look vindictive at best or completely ignorant of the chain of command and correct procedures at worst. And the LAST thing you want to do is get on the boss's radar screen as being an idiot.

And by the way, your career IS in your own hands, not his. It's your responsibility, not his. Why should he help you get out of his department? Unless he's a mentor figure for you - and if he was at one stage, he's not any more - there's no upside for him helping you. Expecting it seems foolhardy to me.
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Old 02-04-2010, 08:34 AM   #14 (permalink)
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Like Jazz, I manage a few workers directly and a few indirectly.

the only time i kept tabs on my workers and wrote emails like the one that you recieved is when they were playing up. some got fired, some shaped up.

so you're obviously not doing something right for him to pinpoint your inadequacies.

i cant really add too much to whats already been advised to you, except...put your FUCKING head down.....dont be an ASSHOLE to your boss....BUMS up..and work HARD
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Old 02-04-2010, 08:48 AM   #15 (permalink)
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The conversations you have in an office or hallway are meaningless. If it's not in writing, it didn't happen. Just accept the email. Respond that you will do your best to comply with requirements, without admitting fault, and start looking for another job before you get fired.

You've been given excellent advice so far, don't rock the boat. You probably can be fired regardless of proof, anyway.
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Old 02-05-2010, 09:33 AM   #16 (permalink)
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thanks for everyone, I will ensure to work my HARDEST and triple check my work before submission and start looking for applying for jobs right away...for the current situation... so can you help me frame the email word for word?
Heres what I got....can you help me revise as necessary? I want to be as Simple, HUMBLE and short and sweet as possible.

"Thank You for your input sir, I will ensure to comply with all rules, polices and regulations and continue to provide more value to the department to best of my abilities. You have my word i will continue to work harder.
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Old 02-05-2010, 09:47 AM   #17 (permalink)
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Unless he specifically asked for a reply - and he did NOT in what you've posted - you'd be a moron to actually send him one.

There is no good reason for you to send him a reply. There are only negatives and not one single positive that I can see for you to reply. Why do you disagree with that?
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Old 02-05-2010, 10:34 AM   #18 (permalink)
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I agree with Jazz. Unless he asked for a reply, a reply will either be argumentative, irrelevant, or, worse, written confirmation that you acknowledge your faults. Do your job, follow regulations precisely, and keep track of it all.
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Old 02-05-2010, 11:45 AM   #19 (permalink)
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Talk is cheap. Unless you prove yourself with actions and behavior you are out the door. Might be out the door anyway so I stand by my original comment to start looking for a job while you still have one. And a big bump to what Jazz and others have said.
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Old 02-05-2010, 11:50 AM   #20 (permalink)
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+1 Jazz.

No need for words. Actions speak louder than.
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Old 02-06-2010, 10:05 AM   #21 (permalink)
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Agreed. I will prove to ALL - I will keep my day job and my goal is to move internally within the company to another department with a different post. I will prove to my colleagues I will meet and exceed my goals from now on so that I can have that opportunity. Is that possible? What challenges could I face? Now that I have a stamp on file will it be way harder.
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Old 02-06-2010, 10:20 AM   #22 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by slushi123 View Post
Agreed. I will prove to ALL - I will keep my day job and my goal is to move internally within the company to another department with a different post. I will prove to my colleagues I will meet and exceed my goals from now on so that I can have that opportunity. Is that possible? What challenges could I face? Now that I have a stamp on file will it be way harder.
Not at all. You can sell it as a valuable lesson learned, if it ever comes up. You just have to establish that you're a better worker for having the experience.
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Old 02-06-2010, 11:28 AM   #23 (permalink)
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word travels around the office that you're not doing your job, then it stands to reason that other departments may get a sniff of it.

if i was your prospective boss, just because you work for the company doesnt mean im not going to do my due diligence and do my background checks on you, so you're not going to get away with it so easily.

if i was you, i'd leave, when i go for an interview witha nother company. ask them not to contact your current company because it may jeapordise your role within the company, so that way they cant call them to ask about you.

if you get fired, they have every reason to call and ask your last company about you.
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