The Situation: My boss likes to give me last-minute work. My office hour is from 9:00am to 6:00pm, Mondays to Fridays but my boss often assigns tasks around 5.30pm, causing me to work late. Sometimes, my boss schedules calls after office hour at 9.00pm and frequently texts me over the weekend, expecting an immediate response. How can I effectively manage a boss who shows a lack of respect of my personal time?
My thoughts:
1. In an ideal world, I would establish boundaries with my boss by openly communicating my struggles in accommodating last-minute requests. I would respectfully assert that I have other priorities and responsibilities outside of work that require attention, such as my family.
2. I would initiate a meeting with my boss to discuss my concerns and explain how their actions are impacting my work-life balance and overall well-being. I would use specific examples to illustrate my points.
3. However, in the real world, not all bosses may be receptive to ‘constructive feedback’. I’ve heard very senior individuals respond with statements like, “I pay your salary, so your job is to serve me and fulfill my needs whenever required.” Then, on top of that, they will label us as “calculative” and “lacking ambition.”
4. Considering this, a more practical approach would be proposing solutions.Every day, at 4.00pm each day, I pro-actively approach my boss and remind him that I won’t be staying late that day and ask for pending tasks so I can complete them earlier. Similarly, on Friday evenings, before the weekend begins, I remind my boss again to inform me of any urgent matters that need to be addressed before I sign off.
5. When my boss texts me outside working hours, I would respond politely, stating that I am currently unavailable and will address the matter first thing in the morning when I am back to office the next working day.
6. If the problem persists and my boss continues to disregard my boundaries, seeking support from HR or higher level management becomes necessary. I would present my concerns, backed by document evidence, and request their intervention to address the situation.
Dealing with bosses who don’t respect employees’ time is indeed challenging, but it’s important to address the issue professionally. Regardless how the boss responds, we remember to maintain a professional tone during all interactions and focus on finding a resolution that respects everyone’s needs and priorities.
Meanwhile, practically speaking, have a plan B and start looking for a new boss who is respectful of our personal time and acknowledges the diverse commitments we may have outside of my job.
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Be Practical with Me @Sim Ling KU
