Earlier this morning, I published a Works For Me Wednesday question asking for help remembering birthdays. It's not an issue that is really important in the grand scheme, I know. Which is why I am posting again with a different crappy problem.
I inherited a mess when I accepted my job in December. Angry condo owners whose needs have been ignored. Disgusted business owners who are not being paid for work performed. Realtors annoyed at the future of the development.
Being the Mary Sunshine I am, I assumed it was all just a big misunderstanding and I could fix it all and make everyone happy. LalalaLalala...
The developer of my property (my boss) informed me that most of the condo owners were severely delinquent and that I need to collect the cold hard cash immediately. After dealing with angry residents who really did not owe us any money, I decided to do my own fact-checking. I found approximately 25% of the owners on the list were carrying a balance. And that amount was very small.
I updated my boss on my findings and found it odd that he didn't seem surprised with the news, just angry.
Last Friday I walked into my office to find 9 shut-off notices from the light company, and service suspension from the waste removal company.
I can't get warranty work done on appliances because we haven't paid the bills. I can't advertise the property for the same reason. And our snow removal company was refusing to come out because they hadn't been paid since October. I'm. In. Michigan. 'Nuff Said.
Yesterday, I was preparing to invoice the condo owners for their quarterly water and sewer bills. Many of them have already paid, estimating the amount they thought they would be assessed. My boss told me to bill those same owners the full amount anyway. When I questioned if I should carry the credit to the next quarter, or have them subtract the amount they already paid, he told me to do neither. Bill them the whole amount. Collect the whole amount. Unless they ask, don't tell.
Of course I have no intention of doing anything so unethical. But I am a working mom and I do need my job while I look for a company that won't screw over the people they serve and the people who serve them. What would you do?
Now go help others solve their WFMW problems at Rocks In My Dryer.
What's that? You want to comment? Just click on the itty-bitty words below that say "Gimme Some Sugar". Can you see them? Good. We can't wait to chat with you.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
WFMW: My Boss is a Lying Liar who Lies and then asks me to Lie too.
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22 comments:
Oh my goodness this is so hard. My problems are big, but not to the point of trying to get honest people's money. I would say quit. But the only thing with that is that it is me saying quit. I really think you need to pray about this, God will show you what to do. He might be showing you what to do now.
I agree with Valarie. I have quit jobs for smaller lies and less dishonesty. For right now, though, I would send a bill to everyone for the water, showing a credit in the amount paid for those who have. did that make any sense. I suspect my brain shut off again. ugh.
Wow. I'm so sorry. I think I'd have to quit. And after I found another job I'd report this guy for fraud.
Wow, I'm sorry you are going through this, but if I were you I'd quit. This is a big mess, and if people decide to sue then you could be deemed complicit in your boss's actions which wouldn't be a good thing.
I would go to the police and report this.
What an awful situation!
You can find my "works for me" at:
Laane on the World
Have a great day!!!
Wow, what a skeez-ball. Sounds like he's trying hard not to be the bad guy but still is the bad guy. There is a fine line between paying bills late in a business to save cash and getting shut off notices or companies that wont deal with you anymore.
That sucks hard and since he hasn't done anything illegal, yet at least, I'd say ride it out and use your 'oprah' time to find a better more fulfilling job.
I say you be obstinate and in your face uncompliant in these requests so he fires you ass and you can get unemployment while you look for another job.
I would definitely not bill them the full amounts if they had already paid. What a jerk to put you in this position. Bill them what they owe and deal with him over the issue if he asks. I would also put jogging shoes on your resume and run it around the block. Good luck.
Oooh. Can you say Slum Lord? Dudes gonna loose everything. DO the right thing sister.
I would say do your job the best you can within asking his opinion or for clarification if at all possible. Also, find a new job. In the meantime, don't ask, just do things the way you know is right. If he gets mad, let him be mad. The worst he can do is fire you. I don't know what that would mean to you financially, but start looking for a better work situation so if he does fire you, you're that much a head of the game. Oh, and thanks for stopping by my blog. ~Carol
Wow! What a dilemma - I wish that I could help you, but I'm not too good in the world of business. I just wanted to thank you for commenting on my blog & leaving me a little bit of inspiration for my day - it really meant a lot to me! I hope you have a fantastic time getting your hair cut later this week! ;)
You are in such a dilemna here, your inner voice is screaming out for you to do what is right, but you know if you do you will probably be fired. That sucks!
I guess the question I would ask is, can you live with yourself at the end of the day by doing what you don't consider to be morally right?
Start looking for a place that deserves to have you as an employee. Good luck HB!
I would make copies and go the police. If you go along with the boss, you might get in trouble down the road too.
I would do three things:
1. Ignore your boss and do the right thing
2. Call the Better Business Bureau and anonymously report your boss
3. Spend an hour freaking out to a good friend on the phone, then go get a Venti whatever-you-like at Starbucks and read a good book to drown out the insane emotions that must accompany your situation.
Good luck! I'm sorry!
BTW if you're sending those falsified bills via USPS, it's a federal offense. Don't be a part of a crime - in fact, you might consider pursuing legal action on behalf of the condo owners. If you have the time and energy for that.
I agree. Bill the customers only what they owe, and document everything. Then, polish up that resume.
Do what you know is right. And stop talking to your dumb boss! He's dumb! I know you can't do that. :0) But, seriously, getting fired would suck, but obviously some dirty money stuff is going on and you don't want to end up getting caught up in the middle of it. Stick with doing your job the way you know it should be done {ethically} and pray that God will help you find something else QUICK!
Two words: document. everything.
CYA, dear: cover your tail!
You don't want to go down with him for his unethical business practices, do you?
You had me at hello. I mean the title. Brilliant. Now back to read the actual post.
Oh yea I agree with Sassy, but give the home owners all they deserve. But I'm just saying.
I agree with Sassy. YOU GO GIRL!
I think I would write my concerns down in a formal memo and leave it for my boss and see what happened. Sometimes, seeing things in writing will shake someone up and force them to take a hard look at what they're doing. If he didn't change after that, I think I'd have to quit...
I would document everything and keep working within your ethical framework while you're looking for a new job. And honestly, I would delete this post. Because all it takes is someone even remotely connected to this issue finding this post, and things become a whole lot more complicated. You don't want to get dooced.
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