Perspective - Am I being unreasonable?
Discussion
I work 7am - 4pm - contractually I'm home based but my boss likes me in the office 3 days a week so I'm only at home Monday and Friday.
On a Tuesday I have to do child pickup at 17:00, which my boss is aware of (though has most likely forgotten), therefore I need to leave by 16:15.
This morning I had an objectives meeting booked with my boss at 7:30, which he cancelled last minute as he had to take his car to get serviced. He's just rescheduled for today 16:00-17:00 which is (obviously) going to give me some childcare issues.
I've emailed him and asked if there are any other times we can manage as I have childcare obligations. His written response consists of one word:
"Oh".
I'll be honest, I'm pretty peeved. To coin a phrase, it's not me, is it? I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do next!
On a Tuesday I have to do child pickup at 17:00, which my boss is aware of (though has most likely forgotten), therefore I need to leave by 16:15.
This morning I had an objectives meeting booked with my boss at 7:30, which he cancelled last minute as he had to take his car to get serviced. He's just rescheduled for today 16:00-17:00 which is (obviously) going to give me some childcare issues.
I've emailed him and asked if there are any other times we can manage as I have childcare obligations. His written response consists of one word:
"Oh".
I'll be honest, I'm pretty peeved. To coin a phrase, it's not me, is it? I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do next!
deckster said:
Are you sure he just didn't mistype 'OK'?
And besides, you should have said 'can we do X time instead'. First rule of managing your boss: always, always give them a way to just say 'yes'.
Yes, pretty sure it wasn't a mistake, he has form.And besides, you should have said 'can we do X time instead'. First rule of managing your boss: always, always give them a way to just say 'yes'.
Proposed a new time, will see what happens!
Mr Scruff said:
I work 7am - 4pm - contractually I'm home based but my boss likes me in the office 3 days a week so I'm only at home Monday and Friday.
On a Tuesday I have to do child pickup at 17:00, which my boss is aware of (though has most likely forgotten), therefore I need to leave by 16:15.
This morning I had an objectives meeting booked with my boss at 7:30, which he cancelled last minute as he had to take his car to get serviced. He's just rescheduled for today 16:00-17:00 which is (obviously) going to give me some childcare issues.
I've emailed him and asked if there are any other times we can manage as I have childcare obligations. His written response consists of one word:
"Oh".
I'll be honest, I'm pretty peeved. To coin a phrase, it's not me, is it? I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do next!
Unless he is a complete jerk, to me 'Oh' seem more like the penny dropping.On a Tuesday I have to do child pickup at 17:00, which my boss is aware of (though has most likely forgotten), therefore I need to leave by 16:15.
This morning I had an objectives meeting booked with my boss at 7:30, which he cancelled last minute as he had to take his car to get serviced. He's just rescheduled for today 16:00-17:00 which is (obviously) going to give me some childcare issues.
I've emailed him and asked if there are any other times we can manage as I have childcare obligations. His written response consists of one word:
"Oh".
I'll be honest, I'm pretty peeved. To coin a phrase, it's not me, is it? I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do next!
Send him a positive email with a suggestion alternative.
You're not being unreasonable. Not sure I would have mentioned childcare obligations. I would just say as my hours are 7 am till 4pm can you let me have an alternate date & time. I used to get this when I worked in a UK branch of a US bank. People would slot telephone meetings into my calendar post 6pm UK. In the end I gave up explaining and just declined them.
If you think your boss is just being an ass and making a mini power play then just simply rejecting the meeting without trying to provide explanations may reduce his pleasure.
If you think your boss is just being an ass and making a mini power play then just simply rejecting the meeting without trying to provide explanations may reduce his pleasure.
Mr Scruff said:
I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do next!
Controversial idea but how about picking up the phone or walking to his desk/office and having a conversation?"Saw your mail concerning the meeting; sorry I can't make that time but prior commitments, as you may remember.
When is your diary clear to re-arrange?"
If he gets shirty, have a polite conversation based on the fact that he knows about this and it's not something you can schedule around.
However, if he sends emails like "Oh" in this context, I bet he won't get shirty in an actual conversation.
sas62 said:
You're not being unreasonable. Not sure I would have mentioned childcare obligations. I would just say as my hours are 7 am till 4pm can you let me have an alternate date & time. I used to get this when I worked in a UK branch of a US bank. People would slot telephone meetings into my calendar post 6pm UK. In the end I gave up explaining and just declined them.
If you think your boss is just being an ass and making a mini power play then just simply rejecting the meeting without trying to provide explanations may reduce his pleasure.
He's the one who had to cancel the original meeting because of personal commitments.If you think your boss is just being an ass and making a mini power play then just simply rejecting the meeting without trying to provide explanations may reduce his pleasure.
As others have said, best to respond by suggesting a time which will (hopefully) suit you both. A previous boss of mine used to say to people "don't just come to me with problems, come with solutions".
If people insist on doing everything via emails and texts, they ought also to factor in misunderstandings and many wasted hours over-analysing every single word.
Pick up the phone or pop your head around the door and have a conversation.
The fact the manager prefers your presence in the office is a bloody big hint as to an area of sensitivity.
Pick up the phone or pop your head around the door and have a conversation.
The fact the manager prefers your presence in the office is a bloody big hint as to an area of sensitivity.
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