I AM NOT A LIAR!

[Dkerwood]

I am so furious.

So I go in this morning and submit my timecard to my boss. He looks at it, looks back at me and says, "There's no way you worked this much this month. You missed two whole weeks! Go fix it." And he hands my timecard back to me.

So I stumble back to a desk and try to figure out what had happened. I had kept relatively good records of my work time this month, or so I had thought. But as I looked at my sheet, I saw days that I knew I had been gone, but I had written down hours... What had I done? I had copied all of that information out of my master calendar at home.

And so I began to think back and figure out what days I had been there, in an attempt to "fix it". As I'm doing so, he comes in, tells me that he won't sign my card and we'll have a meeting tomorrow... So I go home, and go right back to my master calendar to find out what's the deal. The mystery was simple enough - I had been interrupted by my sister in the middle of writing down my hours for April 2006, and when I returned to the task, in danger of being late for a 7am rehearsal, I inadvertantly copied down the last two weeks of April 2005 (it's a two year calendar).

Simple mistake, and I hope that he will see it that way, as well. What really gets my goat is the fact that he flat out called me a liar. And the comment that I had missed two whole weeks was completely false. Yes, I've missed more than I'd prefer (I'm not required to be there at any point, but am paid as I am there), but I haven't missed a whole week since March (and that was a three day week after a holiday).

It's ridiculous, but I'm scared to death that it's going to cost me my job.

Then on top of that, I had a presentation I was supposed to give in school this morning, and I got stuck behind a train who felt it necessary to STOP ON THE INTERSECTION for 15 minutes, so I was late.

 

[kserg]

Find a new job. If your boss is a dick why would you want to work for him? He could have simply asked if there is a way you could have made a mistake before insulting you. Just don't quit until you have a new work lined up for you.

Sucks, but some people simply are not made out to be a boss.

 

[Thor]

incredible.

I am actually agreeing with Comrade. I didn't think
it was possible. Next thing you know I will be buying Russian
pickles to cure hangovers.

Explain anyway, only if to put your side of the story on the table.
But make plans to move on.

 

[tZer]

Take the high road - as hard as that may be. Nothing is ever gained by challenging your boss - EVER. Even if you are right, it will not 'fix' anything. I agree with the comments regarding finding a new gig. But be warned; almost everywhere you go has the same or similar circumstances to contend with so practice taking the high road and knowing when the job is no longer serving your needs.

Good luck!
--tz

 

[kserg]

incredible.

I am actually agreeing with Comrade. I didn't think
it was possible. Next thing you know I will be buying Russian
pickles to cure hangovers.

Explain anyway, only if to put your side of the story on the table.
But make plans to move on.

It works i tell you!


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[superbassman2000]

the only time I have encountered russian pickles curing hangovers was when they are in a bloody mary

 

[Diggler]

Don't get too worked up about it until you have the meeting. Bring in the calendar, and explain what happened. If you were upset, you could have overreacted to what he said.

Make up your mind after the meeting tomorrow.

 

[barebones]

So I think I'm just a little confused here. How much work exactly did you miss this month? If you know you missed some work but put down that you didn't miss any work, inadvertently or not, then I think your boss has a right to view your explanation with some degree of skepticism. I still don't think I'd call you a liar if I were in his position, but if you know you only worked, say, three weeks and not four, for example, how do you not physically see that on your time card?

Matt

 

[Thor]

That was just gross. Not eating any of these anytime soon.

 

[kserg]

That was just gross. Not eating any of these anytime soon.

That's nothing, you should see my grandfathers fingers (or should I say finger)... only 1 and a half out of 3 and a half work... and I mean 1 1/2 out of 3 and a half... because he only has like 3 and a half fingers all together. Last time I was there he called me a P****, I asked "because I have all my fingers?" answer was "yeah! By time I was your age I was missing a few already”. Uh yeah don’t worry those fingers are clean; the black stuff will never come off no matter how much you try. Ask Mike about that, he works on cars he will know.

Impressing though, you actually had to zoom in and cut it to let me know what you are talking about?

Incredible.

Cheers

 

[Thor]

My mechanic uses latex gloves so his hands are hot and
sweet. incredible.

 

[kserg]

My mechanic uses latex gloves so his hands are hot and
sweet. incredible.

Russia is a little behind in times; we have not invented plastic yet...

Incredible.

 

[NJL]

Incredible.

 

[Dkerwood]

So I think I'm just a little confused here. How much work exactly did you miss this month? If you know you missed some work but put down that you didn't miss any work, inadvertently or not, then I think your boss has a right to view your explanation with some degree of skepticism. I still don't think I'd call you a liar if I were in his position, but if you know you only worked, say, three weeks and not four, for example, how do you not physically see that on your time card?

Matt

Oh, I did about 38 hours of work this month (out of a possible 72). I didn't even think about it as I was copying data and adding numbers. The mistake came up to 48 hours on the time card. I'm sure it didn't help that I only had about 4 hours of sleep last night.

As far as time that I missed? It was never two weeks. The longest period this month that I missed was three days - thursday, friday, monday... and that was in preparation for my senior recital.

I think he's just gotten upset with me this semester because I've had to spend more time working in class than working with him at the high school (he's a band director and I'm his aide). I TOLD him this at the beginning of the semester, though, that I wouldn't be able to put work at the top of my priority list this semester - doing that for the previous three has cost me a lot of time towards my degree. I'd miss class a lot just to get in hours... consequently, I've dropped from an average of 70 hours per month to about 40... but I'll actually be graduating soon...

I hope I don't have to find a new job. I'm hoping that he was just in a bad mood (as was I). I enjoy the job and the kids and would hate to have to leave them high and dry.

OH, and I guess there is another little detail in the works. When I was hired last year, I was hired to work up to 20 hours a week. It worked great with my school schedule, as I could work 8 hours one day and none the next and still would be fine. I could do basketball and football games or I could come in after school and work on arranging projects for the band to my heart's desire - as long as the total hours per week didn't go over 20 (even if it did, I only claimed the 20, and he's ragging on me NOW?)...

This year, they changed it to 4 hours per day, which throws a monkey wrench in the works. If I did my normal 3-3.5 hour day, I could only work the first part of the football or basketball games or concerts or whatever. Obviously, this was not desirable for me or my boss. The unofficial agreement was that I could take any hours over 4 and split them out over multiple days. Usually, I could nickel and dime it and just push my 3-3.5 hour days up to 4 hour days and cover the extra hour or two that a basketball game might demand. This month, however, we had state music festival, which required me to be at the school from 7am to 5pm. I split that out, as usual, but created 2 three hour days that I took off specifically to allow for the state music festival.

Anyway, it's complicated, but yeah. Hopefully it will all work out.

In March, I only claimed like 20 hours because my records were so bad... which is why I tried to be so meticulous this month...

I can't wait to be done with school and get my own band.

 

[fraublugher]

its not the pickles its the brine and it doesnt matter where they come from

 

[barebones]

Oh, I did about 38 hours of work this month (out of a possible 72). I didn't even think about it as I was copying data and adding numbers. The mistake came up to 48 hours on the time card. I'm sure it didn't help that I only had about 4 hours of sleep last night.

As far as time that I missed? It was never two weeks. The longest period this month that I missed was three days - thursday, friday, monday... and that was in preparation for my senior recital.

I think he's just gotten upset with me this semester because I've had to spend more time working in class than working with him at the high school (he's a band director and I'm his aide). I TOLD him this at the beginning of the semester, though, that I wouldn't be able to put work at the top of my priority list this semester - doing that for the previous three has cost me a lot of time towards my degree. I'd miss class a lot just to get in hours... consequently, I've dropped from an average of 70 hours per month to about 40... but I'll actually be graduating soon...

I hope I don't have to find a new job. I'm hoping that he was just in a bad mood (as was I). I enjoy the job and the kids and would hate to have to leave them high and dry.

OH, and I guess there is another little detail in the works. When I was hired last year, I was hired to work up to 20 hours a week. It worked great with my school schedule, as I could work 8 hours one day and none the next and still would be fine. I could do basketball and football games or I could come in after school and work on arranging projects for the band to my heart's desire - as long as the total hours per week didn't go over 20 (even if it did, I only claimed the 20, and he's ragging on me NOW?)...

This year, they changed it to 4 hours per day, which throws a monkey wrench in the works. If I did my normal 3-3.5 hour day, I could only work the first part of the football or basketball games or concerts or whatever. Obviously, this was not desirable for me or my boss. The unofficial agreement was that I could take any hours over 4 and split them out over multiple days. Usually, I could nickel and dime it and just push my 3-3.5 hour days up to 4 hour days and cover the extra hour or two that a basketball game might demand. This month, however, we had state music festival, which required me to be at the school from 7am to 5pm. I split that out, as usual, but created 2 three hour days that I took off specifically to allow for the state music festival.

Anyway, it's complicated, but yeah. Hopefully it will all work out.

In March, I only claimed like 20 hours because my records were so bad... which is why I tried to be so meticulous this month...

I can't wait to be done with school and get my own band.

I see. Yeah, that sounds pretty complicated. And since this boss of yours presumably has the final say in how your hours get logged--meaning the methodology used--I'm not sure he has much room to complain. A simpler system, it seems, would be to note your hours each day and turn them in right then and there. Trying to recall all of those variations in your schedule at the end of the month is just asking for trouble.

I think all you can do is tell him it was an honest mistake, try to work with him to make sure it doesn't happen again, and move on. If he doesn't accept your explanation there really isn't much you can do.

Good luck.

Matt

 

[AuG]

Simply.........Incredible.

 

[cheezewiz]

I'd hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it seems to me, you are responsible for keeping accurate records of your hours worked, and attempting to turn in for time you didn't work could be viewed pretty seriously and negatively. Now, I personally believe it was an honest mistake, but it doesn't look good for you I'd think.

 

[kserg]

I'd hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it seems to me, you are responsible for keeping accurate records of your hours worked, and attempting to turn in for time you didn't work could be viewed pretty seriously and negatively. Now, I personally believe it was an honest mistake, but it doesn't look good for you I'd think.

Agreed, if you come up to the boss and explain it and say honestly that you are sorry for mistake it should be fine. However I still believe that his boss should have taken it easy, especially if this is first time that happened. A slightly softer approach would made the situation much better.

 

[Dkerwood]

I'd hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it seems to me, you are responsible for keeping accurate records of your hours worked, and attempting to turn in for time you didn't work could be viewed pretty seriously and negatively. Now, I personally believe it was an honest mistake, but it doesn't look good for you I'd think.

Yeah, I know. That's my biggest issue here... I just hope it's not a terribly fatal mistake. We were supposed to "meet" this morning to talk about it, but he didn't show up before I had to leave.

Meh.