What to do with my Civilian employer?

2015-05-16T15:03:45-04:00

This has nothing to do with my military career or USERRA. I'm just looking for advice from anyone who may have been in a similar situation.
I am Assistant Manager at a sales store. I have been with the company for 3 years. The problem I am having is my boss (store manager) often cuts work early(then proceeds to change is punch times to show he was there) or when he is "working" he is just watching Netflix while I help everyone that comes in. I complete the tasks sent out by the regional managers and higher because if they don't get done we lose commission. Now the big problem, we are friends outside of work. I've tried confronting him about it, he acts right for a week or so then goes back to old habits. What advice do you have?

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 16 at 2015 3:16 PM

2015-05-16T15:16:19-04:00

Sit him down one last time and lay out the facts as you have presented them here ... in writing. Tell him that, friendship or not, you've had enough and that if he doesn't knock his crap off, you are going to turn him in to upper management.

Response by SSG Toryn Green made May 16 at 2015 3:18 PM

2015-05-16T15:18:41-04:00

I would focus on you doing your job to the best of your ability, and letting him get what's coming. All you can do is sit down and talk to him. Explain what the issue is, but also explain why it's an issue. If it is a franchise and worse comes to worse, you may need to get the district manager involved. My wife has dealt with this issue at her work.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2015 3:21 PM

2015-05-16T15:21:37-04:00

Take all the proof you have and take it to the regional manager. You may be friends outside of work, but at work he appears to be a blue falcon flappin his wings.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 16 at 2015 4:00 PM

2015-05-16T16:00:42-04:00

Does your company have an Ethics hotline or some other outlet the guarantees you freedom from reprisal? That is a tough spot to be in.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made May 16 at 2015 4:56 PM

2015-05-16T16:56:30-04:00

tell him to either you do work or you lose work. Get proof and talk to higher up.

Response by SPC Angel Guma made May 16 at 2015 5:43 PM

2015-05-16T17:43:45-04:00

I would be a little careful. Sometimes, people like that have friends in upper management that know things like this are going on and they deliberately turn a blind eye to it. At least in my experience with managers like that, that is usually the case. Employees who 'do the right thing' end up getting fired and the lazy manager keeps his job. He could have friends, family, who knows, that is in upper management that knows what is going on. Before you even turn any 'evidence' in, get your resume ready and polished, and have at least 2 or 3 back up jobs in place. You would think upper management would care about lazy people like that, often times when its 'results only', they really don't care if he is watching tv shows and you are doing his job. As long as things are done, and profits come in, they may not care.

Seriously, be careful, cover your side thoroughly, and I mean from top to bottom. The last thing you want is for them to give you bad references if they decide to shit-can you for what their lazy manager is doing.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2015 6:22 PM

2015-05-16T18:22:14-04:00

I appreciate everyone's opinions on here. I needed a solid outside look at this situation and you all put in a great deal of help. Thanks everyone!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 16 at 2015 7:01 PM

2015-05-16T19:01:28-04:00

He is thief of time, work, and money. There is only one way to go.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2015 9:32 PM

2015-05-16T21:32:18-04:00

People that use you are not your friend.
But you already knew that.
Why is it acceptable to defraud your employer? Think of how much better your location would perform if he pulled his weight.

You need to decide what is more important to you, your livelihood or your "friendship" with this gentleman.

There is a chance that if you level with him, he might snap out of it assuming he actually values you as a friend. It is possible he is just a slacker, and not a user.
But I doubt it.

Response by PO1 John Meyer, CPC made May 17 at 2015 11:15 AM

2015-05-17T11:15:41-04:00

As others have said, this guy isn't much of a friend because friends don't jerk each other around like that.

I'm going to reiterate what others have said....

Get all your ducks in a row and bid your time. Once you get enough evidence, take that to HR.

I wouldn't worry about loosing a friend because again, a real friend wouldn't be putting you in this situation.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 3:16 AM

2015-05-18T03:16:12-04:00

Does your best friend pay your paycheck? I highly doubt it. Start taking notes, photocopies, and everything else. SPC- if you want to start becoming an NCO right now, start making a paper trail and sufficient evidence to back your claims when you go to management. Take photos of him watching Netflix, take pictures of time cards when and where possibly and not in such a matter to compromise your ability to work.

Step up, take some leadership. Kick it up to higher management.