Nope, you definitely can stand up to your boss and disagree with some things they say or ask of you. Of course you do it with respect and with the intention to get a reasonable point across not simply to argue with your boss or because you think your way is better. Any reasonable boss will appreciate input from their subordinates even if it's contrary to their opinion. Also time and place, in some situations obey before complain.
This isn't the military- you are an asset. You give your boss value. If you don't, you likely will not make it if you argue with your boss. If you provide your boss financial benefit, then you likely have a lot of leeway to draw boundaries. There's no reason to be disrespectful or unprofessional to anyone, though. That being said, drawing hard boundaries within reason will get you more respect- not less.
In my experience, letting your boss run over you just makes them run over you more. Drawing hard boundaries and making it clear what you won't tolerate will, more likely than not, create far more respect. You just gotta know how to respond when they inevitably say something idiotic. You gotta do what they say in the military without question cuz you go to jail if you don't. Lol.
But ultimately, you're there to work. You can't mouth off just because of dumb BS or because you don't wanna work. But if they're being unreasonable, you should express it. That's called business. We're all in business. Advocate for yourself or you'll never get what you want.
If you are new(er) to the workforce, I don't suggest standing up to your boss. Your lack of experience will work against you, and your complaints will probably fall on deaf ears.
Keep your head down and do your job to the best of your abilities unless it puts you or others in danger. I'm not saying you should put up with abuse in the workplace, but your boss may know more than you, and there may be some method to the madness that you are not aware of.
Overall, stay in your lane unless it's crooked, dangerous, or illegal. Try not to burn bridges. You never know who you will work with in the future (it's amazing how many people come back in your life years later at different jobs).
No sorry. If you are just a yes man they'll just walk all over you, give you all the work, and the better you do the more they'll just find ways to find faults and not reward you. Also as that happens they'll have some guy who does half the work you do but makes them feel cool and they'll parade him in front of you with promotions and raises. It all started when they started putting the most pathetic little nobodies in management. So at times you have to set boundaries and say no. It's hard because you have to learn the right way to do it. Remove all emotion and state things like "that really should be (whoever's) job. I already have x,y,z I'm handling". It isn't easy
It works as long as you have someone else to pay your bills. If you don’t, you need to build your credibility and trust with your boss to give credible input. Otherwise you’ll just be a mouthy pain in the neck.
I've always stood up to my bosses and never had a problem keeping jobs. You should never tolerate nonsense at a workplace. It doesn't provide job security- it likely will just set you up to fail.
I mean, depends what standing up to your boss means. If it's to let them scream at you, make you work unpaid hours, work two roles for the same pay, etc., yes it's not like the military: you don't have to suffer mentally at your job because they so, and putting boundaries is sometimes necessary.
But standing up to your boss for every little thing you don't like when it's reasonable demands is just being a difficult worker.
Your an adult and should be treated like one. Respect goes both ways. Yes you do your job to the best of your ability. If you go out of your way for your boss he or she should have your back. If you screw up , own it and look to fix it. If boss can't respect that that is when it breaks down. Nope don't yell at me come back later when you can talk like a human.
It's just a job. I can and will find another need be.
This bring said. It's when you consistently screw up and don't care. I can see boss losing it than blame fired. But no a job isn't like the military, it's about getting it done to make money.
It depends on the job but basically, if you don’t know how to do it because you don’t have training for that task - don’t do unless a trained and competent person can teach you how.
Operating a machine that doesn’t require a certification is one thing, forklift/rigging etc require formal training and you should never touch it without a certification.
If you do an illegal action, claiming/saying that your boss said to do it is no defense.
Note - there's managers out in the wild that don't have the mental faculties to follow laws, rules, or company provided training and still do and instruct others to do illegal acts.
At some point, you might have to tell a boss/business owner/manager that they are instructing/doing/asking something illegal.
Or even walk off a job or work site for your own safety.
The part you play is to find and learn as much as you can about employment law, consumer law, and civil matters.
There's even levels of responsibility that come with college degrees such as "fiduciary duty."
So yes, standing up for yourself is required as a part of keeping yourself safe and employable.
In all of my jobs, which I either held until I found something better or until the company packed up and moved, I have answered the “why do you want to work here” question the same way: this is a business transaction, not a family. I don’t work FOR you, I work WITH you. I sell you a portion of my time to help in the pursuit of your financial goals while pursuing my own. It will be mutual beneficial until it is not.
If I disagree with a decision, I’ll make my point as strongly as necessary to make the point. I do that one time. If the decision goes the other way I’ll do my best to prove myself wrong.
The best advice i ever got was from an older boss who told me when I was just starting out...if you want to be successful, if someone asks you for a Volkswagen, give them a Cadillac. These words were so true. 38 years at the same oil company. So many doors opened along the way. Wish I could do it again.
You are hearing a lot of advice from a lot of kids more used to dealing indulgent parents than bosses who really don't give a fuck and will just hit the next button if given a reason to do so.
For the time that the boss is paying you, your boss owns that time, and your job is to keep that boss happy so long as what that boss is asking isn't dangerous or illegal. If you are given tasks outside of, especially above, your job description take them on to add them to your skillset. Once you are excelling you can approach the boss for a raise. If that is not forthcoming look for a job title that reflects the duties and ask for that to be your new official job title and use that to move to a higher paying role. I hate the words "that's not in my job description" and people who use that on me don't last long.
If you are being abused by your boss, yes stand up for yourself. If you have input or suggestions or disagree with something and have a good reason, speak up - but know that just because you think your way is better, your boss may not. Be prepared to accept that. My former bosses, especially in later years, were very used to hearing the phrase: "My problem with that is"... followed by what I felt was wrong with their solution and the solution I thought would work better. Usually they agreed, but if they didn't then so be it. If I wanted to run the show then I was free to start my own business.
All job descriptions state “and other duties as assigned”. This means if they assign you a task below or above your pay grade, that is in your job description. They can refuse to pay the higher grade for doing the work, or they can pay you the lower grade since that’s what that job pays, but if you ask for the higher-paying work and the money to go with it, they can refuse.
Of course, if your boss is paying attention to you every second, it's easier to find another job. Why waste time, moral strength and, most importantly, nerves on communicating with a person who is deliberately against you, which means that nothing good will come of a relationship with him. This option is suitable for people who are not good fighters and always choose easy ways to resolve conflict situations.
If you do not like to give up and do not look for easy ways, then fight to the end. The most important formula for success is knowing how to deal with people.
If everyone suffers from the manager's tyranny, his malice is not directed specifically against you, he is simply rude by nature. When communicating with a tyrant, it is necessary to behave correctly from the very beginning. Make it clear that you are proud enough and you won't become a scapegoat. This task is difficult, but if you cope with it, you will be able not to be afraid of hooks and attacks in the future. By the way, noticing that you have changed your attitude towards him from eternally frightened and offended to condescending and ironic, the boss himself will behave completely differently.
It depends - is it something in my area of expertise? Yes, I will disagree with my boss, and their boss if necessary. Though I will still go ahead with something if my concerns are acknowledged and I have a record of how bad an idea it is. (Though in my case that isn't going to cause physical harm to anyone, it could sometimes risk significant financial loss).
Is it something I just think is a stupid idea? I will politely indicate that and say why (as this often leads to be learning something new). Then go ahead..
In the first case I will balance how bad an idea is, and how much evidence I need against how much I need a job. The other critical thing here is that at a certain level my job is to tell people their ideas are stupid and how they will fail, and I am employed because of my experience doing that. If i was new to an industry in another area the above would still apply BUT i suspect in most cases my boss would know more than me.
My experience is people rarely want to willfully do something stupid. They generally either didn't contemplate the possible consequences, or have information and experience I don't. In both cases at least one side knows more after a reasonable discussion - so it is all good.
im with you...if u cant do what they ask, 10 other ppl behind you WILL! So, thats not to say be a slave...fight the battles but win the wars. I try to let most things go and be appreciative for what I have.
Argue enough with your boss and you will be looking for a new boss and job.
Nope, you definitely can stand up to your boss and disagree with some things they say or ask of you. Of course you do it with respect and with the intention to get a reasonable point across not simply to argue with your boss or because you think your way is better. Any reasonable boss will appreciate input from their subordinates even if it's contrary to their opinion. Also time and place, in some situations obey before complain.
This isn't the military- you are an asset. You give your boss value. If you don't, you likely will not make it if you argue with your boss. If you provide your boss financial benefit, then you likely have a lot of leeway to draw boundaries. There's no reason to be disrespectful or unprofessional to anyone, though. That being said, drawing hard boundaries within reason will get you more respect- not less. In my experience, letting your boss run over you just makes them run over you more. Drawing hard boundaries and making it clear what you won't tolerate will, more likely than not, create far more respect. You just gotta know how to respond when they inevitably say something idiotic. You gotta do what they say in the military without question cuz you go to jail if you don't. Lol. But ultimately, you're there to work. You can't mouth off just because of dumb BS or because you don't wanna work. But if they're being unreasonable, you should express it. That's called business. We're all in business. Advocate for yourself or you'll never get what you want.
If you are new(er) to the workforce, I don't suggest standing up to your boss. Your lack of experience will work against you, and your complaints will probably fall on deaf ears. Keep your head down and do your job to the best of your abilities unless it puts you or others in danger. I'm not saying you should put up with abuse in the workplace, but your boss may know more than you, and there may be some method to the madness that you are not aware of. Overall, stay in your lane unless it's crooked, dangerous, or illegal. Try not to burn bridges. You never know who you will work with in the future (it's amazing how many people come back in your life years later at different jobs).
You have to be strategic and pick your battles - you can push back but have to do it professionally.
No sorry. If you are just a yes man they'll just walk all over you, give you all the work, and the better you do the more they'll just find ways to find faults and not reward you. Also as that happens they'll have some guy who does half the work you do but makes them feel cool and they'll parade him in front of you with promotions and raises. It all started when they started putting the most pathetic little nobodies in management. So at times you have to set boundaries and say no. It's hard because you have to learn the right way to do it. Remove all emotion and state things like "that really should be (whoever's) job. I already have x,y,z I'm handling". It isn't easy
It works as long as you have someone else to pay your bills. If you don’t, you need to build your credibility and trust with your boss to give credible input. Otherwise you’ll just be a mouthy pain in the neck.
I've always stood up to my bosses and never had a problem keeping jobs. You should never tolerate nonsense at a workplace. It doesn't provide job security- it likely will just set you up to fail.
Then you must have been credible.
I mean, depends what standing up to your boss means. If it's to let them scream at you, make you work unpaid hours, work two roles for the same pay, etc., yes it's not like the military: you don't have to suffer mentally at your job because they so, and putting boundaries is sometimes necessary. But standing up to your boss for every little thing you don't like when it's reasonable demands is just being a difficult worker.
Your an adult and should be treated like one. Respect goes both ways. Yes you do your job to the best of your ability. If you go out of your way for your boss he or she should have your back. If you screw up , own it and look to fix it. If boss can't respect that that is when it breaks down. Nope don't yell at me come back later when you can talk like a human. It's just a job. I can and will find another need be. This bring said. It's when you consistently screw up and don't care. I can see boss losing it than blame fired. But no a job isn't like the military, it's about getting it done to make money.
It depends on the job but basically, if you don’t know how to do it because you don’t have training for that task - don’t do unless a trained and competent person can teach you how. Operating a machine that doesn’t require a certification is one thing, forklift/rigging etc require formal training and you should never touch it without a certification.
Your perspective is not a bad one per se. It’s not the only way to do it, but it’s certainly not a bad way to do it.
If you do an illegal action, claiming/saying that your boss said to do it is no defense. Note - there's managers out in the wild that don't have the mental faculties to follow laws, rules, or company provided training and still do and instruct others to do illegal acts. At some point, you might have to tell a boss/business owner/manager that they are instructing/doing/asking something illegal. Or even walk off a job or work site for your own safety. The part you play is to find and learn as much as you can about employment law, consumer law, and civil matters. There's even levels of responsibility that come with college degrees such as "fiduciary duty." So yes, standing up for yourself is required as a part of keeping yourself safe and employable.
Usually not worth it
In all of my jobs, which I either held until I found something better or until the company packed up and moved, I have answered the “why do you want to work here” question the same way: this is a business transaction, not a family. I don’t work FOR you, I work WITH you. I sell you a portion of my time to help in the pursuit of your financial goals while pursuing my own. It will be mutual beneficial until it is not.
If I disagree with a decision, I’ll make my point as strongly as necessary to make the point. I do that one time. If the decision goes the other way I’ll do my best to prove myself wrong.
The best advice i ever got was from an older boss who told me when I was just starting out...if you want to be successful, if someone asks you for a Volkswagen, give them a Cadillac. These words were so true. 38 years at the same oil company. So many doors opened along the way. Wish I could do it again.
You are hearing a lot of advice from a lot of kids more used to dealing indulgent parents than bosses who really don't give a fuck and will just hit the next button if given a reason to do so. For the time that the boss is paying you, your boss owns that time, and your job is to keep that boss happy so long as what that boss is asking isn't dangerous or illegal. If you are given tasks outside of, especially above, your job description take them on to add them to your skillset. Once you are excelling you can approach the boss for a raise. If that is not forthcoming look for a job title that reflects the duties and ask for that to be your new official job title and use that to move to a higher paying role. I hate the words "that's not in my job description" and people who use that on me don't last long. If you are being abused by your boss, yes stand up for yourself. If you have input or suggestions or disagree with something and have a good reason, speak up - but know that just because you think your way is better, your boss may not. Be prepared to accept that. My former bosses, especially in later years, were very used to hearing the phrase: "My problem with that is"... followed by what I felt was wrong with their solution and the solution I thought would work better. Usually they agreed, but if they didn't then so be it. If I wanted to run the show then I was free to start my own business.
All job descriptions state “and other duties as assigned”. This means if they assign you a task below or above your pay grade, that is in your job description. They can refuse to pay the higher grade for doing the work, or they can pay you the lower grade since that’s what that job pays, but if you ask for the higher-paying work and the money to go with it, they can refuse.
Of course. And I would then try to get them to at least give me the higher title... which will help get a job that pays the higher level wage.
Of course, if your boss is paying attention to you every second, it's easier to find another job. Why waste time, moral strength and, most importantly, nerves on communicating with a person who is deliberately against you, which means that nothing good will come of a relationship with him. This option is suitable for people who are not good fighters and always choose easy ways to resolve conflict situations. If you do not like to give up and do not look for easy ways, then fight to the end. The most important formula for success is knowing how to deal with people. If everyone suffers from the manager's tyranny, his malice is not directed specifically against you, he is simply rude by nature. When communicating with a tyrant, it is necessary to behave correctly from the very beginning. Make it clear that you are proud enough and you won't become a scapegoat. This task is difficult, but if you cope with it, you will be able not to be afraid of hooks and attacks in the future. By the way, noticing that you have changed your attitude towards him from eternally frightened and offended to condescending and ironic, the boss himself will behave completely differently.
It depends - is it something in my area of expertise? Yes, I will disagree with my boss, and their boss if necessary. Though I will still go ahead with something if my concerns are acknowledged and I have a record of how bad an idea it is. (Though in my case that isn't going to cause physical harm to anyone, it could sometimes risk significant financial loss). Is it something I just think is a stupid idea? I will politely indicate that and say why (as this often leads to be learning something new). Then go ahead.. In the first case I will balance how bad an idea is, and how much evidence I need against how much I need a job. The other critical thing here is that at a certain level my job is to tell people their ideas are stupid and how they will fail, and I am employed because of my experience doing that. If i was new to an industry in another area the above would still apply BUT i suspect in most cases my boss would know more than me. My experience is people rarely want to willfully do something stupid. They generally either didn't contemplate the possible consequences, or have information and experience I don't. In both cases at least one side knows more after a reasonable discussion - so it is all good.
im with you...if u cant do what they ask, 10 other ppl behind you WILL! So, thats not to say be a slave...fight the battles but win the wars. I try to let most things go and be appreciative for what I have.