How to respond to a boss doing this?

Question

I've upset my boss on a number of occasions with punctuality issues. I have promised to address the issues in my personal life and try to better manage my time (including external commitments on night shift rotations).

The boss wants to take things further and I completely understand why. Our most recent discussion was difficult. She again asked me to just leave home earlier before my night shift. I tried to reply ok, I understand, I will etc. But with every attempt to acknowledge her, she just kept saying "no, don't speak, don't tell me, just do it"...I really didn't know what else to say in the end as she kept asking me if I can come earlier and when I tried to respond, she just cut me off and said no.

What was I supposed to do? Tell her yes and then politely tell her the meeting is finished because I have to get back to work?

I have encountered this kind of behaviour in a previous job. It wasn't about punctuality in that job. But when the boss was frustrated, they kept cutting me off when I tried to nod my head or agree to change.

I left both scenarios confused as I had done my best to try and communicate that I agree with their frustrations and wished to address them once and for all. Could I have said anything different or was I correct to just cop it and move on to change what I'm doing wrong?

Eva · Answer

You've apparently made promises before and not kept them.  She doesn't want lip service from you, she wants action.  If you can't meet her expectations, you are on the path to being fired.

? · Answer

If your boss is ANGRY with you and your boss has repeatedly told you why they are ANGRY with you and you have repeatedly said you will do better and you have not then...when the boss calls you in and is STILL ANGRY and says "Why won't you just do what you are told?"  The BOSS DOES NOT EXPECT AN ANSWER.  The Boss EXPECTS YOU to hang your head...and say "it will not happen again".. and then ... SHUT UP AND BACK OUT OF THAT OFFICE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

You must be good at what you do because otherwise you would have been fired.
But you are NOT irreplaceable and your boss is so upset that they are ALREADY looking at resumes behind your back.

WHAT do you need to do now?  You need to get 4 LOUD alarm clocks and set one for 1 hour before you usually leave...another for 45 mins before you usually leave...another for 30 mins before you usually leave...and the last one for 15 mins before you usually leave.  When the last alarm goes off...you need to be ready to walk out of your door.  You MAY NOT stop for anything including food or GAS on your way to work.  You MUST ALWAYS get gas on your way home. You must ALWAYS have a meal packed and ready to go to work with you.

You must do this now because the next time your boss calls you in...you will be fired and you will get a bad reference for being unreliable AND UNRELAIBLE people do not get a lot of job offers.

Please read this again and follow the instructions.

n2mama · Answer

Are you really unclear on the idea of a rhetorical question? She doesn’t need you to give her lip service to anything, she doesn’t need you to respond or reply with excuses, because she’s heard all of it from you before, since this isn’t the first time you’ve had this conversation with her. Do you understand how much it irks a boss to have to have the same conversation with an employee over and over because they don’t change their actions, despite telling you they will or they understand?

The best way to respond is to say “you’re right, I’m sorry, it won’t happen again” and then actually execute on that. The execution is the part you seem to be failing with. Continue to fail on it and you won’t have to worry about it anymore, because you’ll be fired for attendance issues.

Elaine M · Answer

The issue is yours and you aren't fixing the problem.

They need employees at the business THERE ON TIME.  They are running a company,  this isn't a home 'I do what I want so who cares' thing. She doesn't want lip service,  which is what you keep doing.  She wants a 'yes,I will be on time from now on' and you to DO that. Not an argument or drawing out the reprimand you're in the middle of.

Get there early.  Every shift. ALWAYS.  Or you'll be out of a job.

Scott · Answer

What you are supposed to do is just get to work on time for your shift. It's that simple. Just show up on time. Your boss didn't want to hear your pathetic excuses, she just wants you there on time. Is it that hard to understand? Actions speak louder than words.

Maxi · Answer

You are not listening......your boss wants ACTION not empty words or agreement

How to respond to a boss doing this?

6 Answers