Would you apologize? Job related

[Busker]

I worked for this guy up until yesterday. Part time work, more or less, sometimes theres a lot of hours and work to keep me busy, sometimes not enough. Home repair, painting, carpentry, sheet rock, light plumbing and electrical, odd jobs, etc.

Maybe he was having a bad day, maybe I was too. But he told me I had to get my cell phone situation straightened out (right now I just have a cruddy Trac phone, no contract or plan required, but you have to buy minutes to use it. I run out of minutes sometimes). I told him I planned on getting a better, real cell phone as soon as I was a little money ahead. A little later, he wanted me to call his property manager to get lined out on a small job they wanted to have done, and I kind of sheepishly had to say I couldn't call her, that I was out of minutes.

At this he started getting P.O.'d, said he couldn't use me if I didn't get the cell phone worked out. At this I got a little hot, and reminded him of his promise to at least talk about giving me a raise (not the best timing, but I was getting hot, and talking about the raise was months overdue). He said no way was I getting a raise, that I wasn't worth it, blah blah. That's his opinion, but I have the necessary tools, experience, and a pickup to haul materials in. Plus, I do decent work (that's my opinion).

So I dropped the "F" bomb and "you" one word right after the other. Know what I mean? I started taking his keys off my key ring and dropping them on his desk, told him to pay me up right now, etc, etc. A lot of unnecessary stuff was said, on both of our parts.

So I quit on the spot.

When I get home a little later, there is a very sincere apology from him on my answering machine. I haven't apologized to him, yet. He probably won't offer me the job back even if I do.

[FL Knifemaker]

I've found that in business, things come around in strange ways. It might be years from now but you may end up in a situation with him again, to both of your benefit. I've had fallings out with knife dealers and collectors. After time, things have a way of smoothing out.

I've quite jobs on the spot, mutual FU's, etc. Years or months later things change sometimes for the better, sometimes not I've actually hired people that I've quit on or been fired by. It's like the cirlce of life or something

[bobba66]

He'll probably offer to loan you the money for a good phone. My employer gives me 50.00 a month to have a working phone.

[MonetBass]

Since he came forward and apologized, I'd do the same. Sounds like he's willing to let bygones be bygones. Step up, man.

[Mon Rominee]

no need to burn down a bridge you may need to cross again someday. He's being a good man by apologizing...do so in kind in professional manner, if not only to keep your future options open.

Unless you totally hate the guy...well......

[playinpearls]

yeah, definetly call him if he called and said it first. That just shows that he didnt' really mean for it to end up that way.

and even if he hadn't called, a couple of days later I would have called anyway and done the same....

[tZer]

Some bosses are very reactionary and behave as if the world is supposed to just take it when they spout off. If they're worth a crap, they recognize their own short comings and usually make sincere efforts to make things right when they realize they've gone too far.

It's an obnoxious personality, but some of my best bosses were just like that. They'd make a habit of ripping you a new one if their mood was such - but they'd also make a habit of treating you really well and stepping up for you at critical moments.

If your boss is just prone to spontaneous bursts of emotion, but in general is a stand-up guy and has a proven record of being good at his job, it is probably worth it to work this out and keep the relationship good.

BUT - if he's just a class "A" a-hole who uses and abuses people with the idea that everyone can be replaced - a "my way or the hi-way" sort of guy - accept his apology but let him know that you are not interested in working in that sort of situation and politely move on.

In general, the first guy to lose his cool, loses - period. Right or wrong, you should always strive to maintain your composure. If that means excusing yourself so you can go elsewhere and blow off steam, do so. But once anyone crosses the line all possibility of rational solutions go straight out the window. If you prove yourself to be able to maintain your cool while your boss continually loses his, sooner than later he'll realize he looks like the a-hole that he is and he'll either treat you better or not treat you at all because you will have moved along and left him to deal with the results of his own rotten personality.

Good luck!

[casualmadness]

No need to be dramatic about it really. Call him up, have him meet you at a bar. Buy each other a few rounds, throw some darts, gawk at some random chicks, get on with life.

[Busker]

Originally Posted by tZer

Some bosses are very reactionary and behave as if the world is supposed to just take it when they spout off. If they're worth a crap, they recognize their own short comings and usually make sincere efforts to make things right when they realize they've gone too far.

It's an obnoxious personality, but some of my best bosses were just like that. They'd make a habit of ripping you a new one if their mood was such - but they'd also make a habit of treating you really well and stepping up for you at critical moments.

If your boss is just prone to spontaneous bursts of emotion, but in general is a stand-up guy and has a proven record of being good at his job, it is probably worth it to work this out and keep the relationship good.

BUT - if he's just a class "A" a-hole who uses and abuses people with the idea that everyone can be replaced - a "my way or the hi-way" sort of guy - accept his apology but let him know that you are not interested in working in that sort of situation and politely move on.

In general, the first guy to lose his cool, loses - period. Right or wrong, you should always strive to maintain your composure. If that means excusing yourself so you can go elsewhere and blow off steam, do so. But once anyone crosses the line all possibility of rational solutions go straight out the window. If you prove yourself to be able to maintain your cool while your boss continually loses his, sooner than later he'll realize he looks like the a-hole that he is and he'll either treat you better or not treat you at all because you will have moved along and left him to deal with the results of his own rotten personality.

Good luck!

He's usually not the type to spout off. Usually more mild mannered than Clark Kent. Like I said, he was probably having a bad day, or a bad week, or something, and I made it worse.

I'll call him to apologize.

[pointbass]

Not knowing all of the small details about your job and the conditions of your employment makes it difficult to give any sort of educated advice. That said, there are a couple things you should consider.

First, most employers (even the small 1, 2, 3 man shops) will provide a cell phone, or at least a cell phone allowance, to their employees if they are expected to use that phone for business purposes. It's a small business expense and your boss should arrange for you to use a phone for business purposes. Unless you agreed to use your personal phone for business stuff when he hired you, let him pay for it.

Second, it sounds like you use your personal vehicle for his business purposes. Again, depending on the conditions of your employment, you should be compensated somehow for use of your vehicle or be given a company vehicle.

If he has called to apologize, return the call .... even if it's for no reason other than common courtesy. Maybe he realized that he needs you and if so, it might be a good time to get your issues straightened out ......

[Busker]

I just got off the phone with him. Talked for 10 or 15 minutes, I apologized too, got it worked out, not all of it, but I feel pretty good about it.

I start back to work tomorrow. He does need me I guess.

I know perhaps he should be paying for gas, or provide me with a company vehicle, and help with the cell phone. For now, that's not going to happen, but he did say we could talk about the raise down the road a bit.

Hey, its not a great job, but I need it. For now.

Thanks for your advice everyone.

[FL Knifemaker]

Originally Posted by Mon Rominee

no need to burn down a bridge you may need to cross again someday.

No WAY!! I don't agree at all. My motto is: Let the road ahead be illumated by the burning bridges behind you!!

[Mon Rominee]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

No WAY!! I don't agree at all. My motto is: Let the road ahead be illumated by the burning bridges behind you!!

vs.

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

things come around in strange ways. It might be years from now but you may end up in a situation with him again, to both of your benefit. It's like the cirlce of life or something

huh?

Oh, I get it, you were being dramatic.

[FL Knifemaker]

Originally Posted by Mon Rominee

vs.



huh?

Oh, I get it, you were being dramatic.

No, comedic, trying anyway

[mjolnir]

I'd apologize if I were in your situation. He may not offer the job back but at least you'll be on good terms again.

[Mon Rominee]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

No, comedic, trying anyway

comedic, dramatic, all the same to me....

[casualmadness]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

No WAY!! I don't agree at all. My motto is: Let the road ahead be illumated by the burning bridges behind you!!

I like the way you think...

[Rattman]

Originally Posted by MonetBass

Since he came forward and apologized, I'd do the same. Sounds like he's willing to let bygones be bygones. Step up, man.

Be a good guy.. do the right thing by him, and also for yourself: apologize to him. It won't hurt anything to give a little back. I'll bet he'll really appreciate it.

[Croox]

apologize hell you may even get the job back and maybe some respect from your boss. I'd never burn any bridges with any employers it hurts you more than them in the long run

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by Busker

I just got off the phone with him. Talked for 10 or 15 minutes, I apologized too, got it worked out, not all of it, but I feel pretty good about it.

I start back to work tomorrow. He does need me I guess.

I know perhaps he should be paying for gas, or provide me with a company vehicle, and help with the cell phone. For now, that's not going to happen, but he did say we could talk about the raise down the road a bit.

Hey, its not a great job, but I need it. For now.

Thanks for your advice everyone.

Has he figured out that he needs to get his employees a work cell phone yet?