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Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » Speak out or shut up? (Career)

March 28, 2011 10:12 a.m. PHeller Dork

I've noticed since leaving my previous awesome part-time job where my opinions and skills were valued that I've had some conflict at new jobs. I was on a streak of part time jobs during college where I was able to make my own decisions and expect responsibility of those decisions. At these more recent jobs (in a new city) I see problems that are ignored, hypocrisy or just plain unfair practices. I have been told on two separate occasions at two of my current part time jobs to "know my place" while stress is put on me to perform amidst glaring faults on the part of the decision makers who don't want my opinion.

These are low paying jobs with little opportunity for advancement, so I don't feel pressure to be professional (my fault) nor do I feel like I need to take stress myself out worrying about things I can't change.

I'm a vocal guy. I can talk to anyone, whether it be my friendly manager, customers, or the big-wig that controls my employers business.

Should I find work someplace where my skills and experiences are valued and people care about my opinion or can at least say "that's a good idea, but here's why we do it this way" or do I need to learn to shut up?
March 28, 2011 10:25 a.m. T.J. SuperDork

PHeller wrote: Should I find work someplace where my skills and experiences are valued and people care about my opinion or can at least say "that's a good idea, but here's why we do it this way"

Wouldn't we all want to work in a place like that? I've yet to really find it.

PHeller wrote: or do I need to learn to shut up?

Sometimes I think that it is required to just grin and bear it, but my attitude might be one of the reasons for my response above.
March 28, 2011 10:28 a.m. carguy123 SuperDork

Some corporations as just that way.

There are jobs who value the input of the workers.
March 28, 2011 11:12 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

thankfully the job I have as a stage hand allows me to make decisions to correct things that might be bad. I have been in your shoes though, I do not envy you at all
March 28, 2011 11:36 a.m. Appleseed SuperDork

Report it to a local newspaper? Might be a slow day and they need some local "dirt."
March 28, 2011 12:10 p.m. EastCoastMojo SuperDork

If you try to improve on a situation that others do not want imporved you will end up on someone's short list, probably someone who's list you would rather not be on.

I'm not saying to "shut up" so much as I am saying "move on". You are taking ownership in your job and those skills and values will be respected and desired elsewhere.
March 28, 2011 12:43 p.m. tuna55 Dork

My opinion is that if it's moral or ethical, speak up to be heard and your job be damned. Awful noble, but if everyone behaved that way the world would be a better place. If you eventually catch the ear of someone who should care (lawyer, chief of some sort) and they don't, stop and abandon the company before going public if it's serious.

If it not an ethical concern, they just don't like Susan because she's always wearing red and never give her the time of day even though she's the best basketweaver they have, start on a resume - good jobs are out there, but I wouldn't jeopardize myself unless it was an ethical thing or it seemed like you found a bent ear.

Warning! People (especially those in HR) will sometimes pretend to hear you and listen and care and later stab you in the back with it. Be careful.
March 28, 2011 12:45 p.m. nderwater HalfDork

PHeller wrote: Should I find work someplace where my skills and experiences are valued and people care about my opinion or can at least say "that's a good idea, but here's why we do it this way" or do I need to learn to shut up?

I guess I've been lucky, maybe even unique, but I have never worked at a place where I was told to keep my opinions to myself. I'd say look for something else.
March 28, 2011 12:46 p.m. fast_eddie_72 HalfDork

You're outlining the question wrong. Sometimes speak up, sometimes shut up.

Your job is to make your boss' job easier.

If it makes her job easier, speak up. If it's a pain in the butt for them, shut up. Or better yet, just fix it if you can and tell them you did it. But when you do that, it's about THEM, not YOU. They are the one in the hot seat with the guy up the food chain. If you help them look good with that guy, they'll want you around a lot. If you're always complaining about how much better things should be, they'll think you're a pain in the butt.

Be a helper. Don't be a know-it-all.

Don't make it about you. Make it about your boss. You'll be moving up the ladder in no time. And if you think about it, if you're always making your boss' job easier, and they're doing the same, your company will do quite well. At some point that line ends with a guy responsible to shareholders who want to see you make money. If everyone below that guy is helping him succeed, you're all going to stay employed for a good long time.
March 28, 2011 2:19 p.m. flountown Reader

Write a manifest and be sure to steal the ugly secretary and fish on the way out. Jerry McGuire style...
March 28, 2011 2:28 p.m. Dr. Hess SuperDork

That's why they call it "work" and not "play time."

They pay you to put up with the bull E36 M3, not to do the work.
March 30, 2011 12:51 p.m. knb13 New Reader

I think it really depends on the job... lower paying, non-advancing, non-professional jobs generally want you to get the work done in the way you are told. Sales and service jobs are like this alot.

Once you are in management or in a professional work place where growth is encouraged, then you can voice your opinions.

It's all about tact... there is always a way to voice your opinion but it may not be "This is wrong, I/we should do it this way." I've found it easier to say "Hey what do you think about this....".

In an oppressive work environment, don't tell your superiors things but ask their opinions on what you think.

Sometimes you are paid to just to show up for 8 hours and get the work done.
March 30, 2011 3:02 p.m. slefain SuperDork

How badly do you need the job? I have found that has always helped me decide just how much I push back against bad management.
March 30, 2011 3:12 p.m. szeis4cookie New Reader

fast_eddie_72 wrote:

You're outlining the question wrong. Sometimes speak up, sometimes shut up.

Your job is to make your boss' job easier.

If it makes her job easier, speak up. If it's a pain in the butt for them, shut up. Or better yet, just fix it if you can and tell them you did it. But when you do that, it's about THEM, not YOU. They are the one in the hot seat with the guy up the food chain. If you help them look good with that guy, they'll want you around a lot. If you're always complaining about how much better things should be, they'll think you're a pain in the butt.

Be a helper. Don't be a know-it-all.

Don't make it about you. Make it about your boss. You'll be moving up the ladder in no time. And if you think about it, if you're always making your boss' job easier, and they're doing the same, your company will do quite well. At some point that line ends with a guy responsible to shareholders who want to see you make money. If everyone below that guy is helping him succeed, you're all going to stay employed for a good long time.

Truth. Learning to pick your battles gets you far.
March 31, 2011 5:45 a.m. ddavidv SuperDork

I told one of my co-workers this during a discussion about the stupidity of our management: "The problem, Ken, is you still care."

It's a difficult ongoing process for a guy with too much common sense, but I'm training myself to just not care about corporate stupidity. Redundant procedures, TPS reports and the like I either don't do or don't worry about doing since nobody follows up on them. I concentrate on the core aspects of my work and DO take care of my customers, but try hard not to get bogged down by the pointless minutiae of company guidelines. This is very hard for me, but my life has become better by not caring about things that won't matter 5 days from now.
March 31, 2011 6:41 p.m. HiTempguy Dork

ddavidv wrote:

TPS reports and the like I either don't do or don't worry about doing since nobody follows up on them.

I find if I ignore bogus stuff like this, since every person could give a flying E36 M3 about it, it always seems to never register on anyones radar, and therefore I have MORE time to do my JOB. Win-Win!
March 31, 2011 8:37 p.m. T.J. SuperDork

I like to come in on Saturday to work on my TPS reports.
March 31, 2011 10:59 p.m. novaderrik HalfDork

it's only a job. suck it up and keep your mouth shut so you can collect a paycheck until you find something better. then once you find another job and give your notice, speak your mind loudly and often.
April 1, 2011 5:03 a.m. huge-O-chavez SuperDork

Keep speaking up, but learn how to do it. There is a time, place and way to discuss such things. It took me about 10 years to learn the appropriate ways...

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