Work Blues

If it weren't for my staff and a few colleagues, my job would completely suck ass. Right now it only kinda pretty much sucks ass.

My boss is the most emotional, non-planning, play both sides of the fence, talks out both sides of her ass, can't make a decision that doesn't please everyone (or at least her current favorite) or take a clear side, untrusting, doesn't get it, spineless, sometimes obviously lying to get what she wants micromanager I have ever worked with. She flits and flitters all over the place and doesn't get that we're overworked and can't take on a new project. And she certainly doesn't get that we all work our asses off to do good work because we believe in the mission and want the agency to succeed. Hell, she doesn't believe that a mission statement of an agency is supposed to drive decision making, policy and to some extent procedure of said agency. I knew I was getting myself into some funky shit when I began working at this job but this Crap is out of control!

In a management team meeting yesterday we discussed whether a key staff person that heads up a key program over the holidays should be granted 2 weeks vacation during two holiday weeks - yes, the very said busiest time of the year previously mentioned. After some very hearty debate where a majority of the group agreed that if someone has work to do during certain times of the year, they shouldn't ask for and/or be granted time off during the busiest time of the year, my boss completely disagreed - and I believe that she was the only person who did disagree.

It is awful that I feel it necessary to tell someone that they can not take time off at the holidays, particularly when they are planning time away with family, because their job demands their attention during that time of year. But it is completely unfair to expect that the services can be provided without her overseeing them or thay everyone else should be required to pick up the slack. We don't have much wiggle room in our workload to be able to pick up extra tasks. Gawd forbid we want to do at least one thing well each day.

My boss said today, in response to my telling her that the staffer being upset about the decision, she felt the conversation was a bashing session and that I made it about supervision issues that should have been discussed confidentially. She said that she felt it was a punitive decision based on a past mistake and that management team isn't supposed to be about the broader issues that were being discussed. I worked very hard to remove the person from the equation and focus on business need as did the rest of the people who participated in the discussion. And if management team meetings aren't to grapple with bigger policy and operational issues, what is it for?

Ugh. All but this direct report are awesome team players that are supportive of their colleagues, willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done no matter what, to serve the people we serve for the right reason. This vacation person is obstructionist at every turn, gossipy, chatty Cathy, revered by my boss for her loyalty, and a significant pain in my ass. She does decent work but alas, she doesn't get it either.

I need to cover my ass on this one. And let the ones that I really appreciate know how appreciated they are. Because they are the only things making this job semi-palatable.