Opinion: Work tasks

I was thinking about this today and wanted other's opinion on it.
When you're working do you "have to do" whatever your boss tells you? (assuming it is part of your job, not like "go walk my dog")

For example:
I remember when I was young, I worked in a cafe, and my manager told me "After wiping the table, put the towel on the door handle" - I said "That makes no sense, every time I open the cabinet I have to move the towel, why not just keep it on the counter?"
Her response - "Because I want it that way"

Now that I'm older, I think I should have just done it, because my job is to listen to my boss, even if I don't agree - right?

Another example:
I remember I was on a project a few years ago, and a new hire was "arguing" with the manager, because the manager wanted new hire to create an excel document in a certain way, and the new hire said "thats not what Michael asked for, he wants it in a different format"
Manager - "I think its better to do it this way, so I want you to create a document in this format"
new hire - "I'm not going to waste my time doing something that will not be used, find someone else to do it"
The manager got rid of the new hire that week.

The new hire should have just done it right? Even if the document ends up being wrong and not being used at all.

So what do you all think?
If your boss tells you to do something (assuming its part of your job) do you do it? Even if its wrong or a waste of your time?

I think we can give our opinion once or twice, but after that if your manager says do it, you do it - even if it makes no sense and is a waste of time.

Message edited 6/14/2022 5:55:06 PM.

Re: Opinion: Work tasks

I think it depends on the type of job and your dynamic with your boss.
I work for someone who values my opinion and looks to the team of managers under him to collaborate together and make things better and come up with innovative ideas.

So if he said to me- I want you to run this report and I said- wait I found a better report that shows what we need more efficiently he'd be thrilled.

So it really depends on what kind of boss you have, and what kind of job you are in.
I am sure there are many more task oriented roles that require you to just follow instructions without questioning.

Opinion: Work tasks

I added an edit, not sure if you saw it:
I think we can give our opinion once or twice, but after that if your manager says do it, you do it - even if it makes no sense and is a waste of time.

Re: Opinion: Work tasks

After mentioning once or twice, I would do as the boss instructs if they don’t want you doing it your way.

I also have a great boss who is more like a friend who we talk about things first and try something new if needed.

Opinion: Work tasks

I have to do what they say but my direct supervisor is pleasant and rarely makes outrageous demands. So when she does, I politely comply…

Opinion: Work tasks

At my last job I called the shots and people (mostly) listened. At my current job I frequently have to do things I find asinine and I don’t get the sense my opinion is valued all that much.

On the flip side, there’s a huge responsibility that comes with making the rules and sometimes that responsibility was a burden. When I listen to someone else, the someone else can take the fall when something goes wrong.

So to answer your question, it depends on the job.

Re: Opinion: Work tasks

I think that you can offer suggestions but ultimately you need to do things the way that your boss is asking you to get them done.

Re: Opinion: Work tasks

Yes. In both of those cases, after respectfully expressing your opinion, do it the way your boss wants.

And I would have fired that new hire too, but I probably would have done it right there on the spot.

Re: Opinion: Work tasks

Good question. In my field, I am usually free to do what I want within reason (teaching to the correct level, covering certain language points, etc.). I have been doing this for years and have gotten useful feedback of what I can do better and what I do well. Bosses are generally happy with me, so I do what I want.

Until now. I won't go into details, but I just teach what they give me. I share a class with one boss and I have tried to make it as interactive as possible, but she wants me to straight up do rote teaching. I am not happy with this method at all, but I have given up as I only have one more month left there. I talked to other colleagues and have heard many stories. This is only one place I work at, so I have other places that are fine.

Plus, my new job starts soon, and I know I'll be very happy there. They are the complete opposite and want lots of interaction. I have no idea what I would have done if I stayed on at this one place.

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Re: Opinion: Work tasks

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by newlywedT

I added an edit, not sure if you saw it:
I think we can give our opinion once or twice, but after that if your manager says do it, you do it - even if it makes no sense and is a waste of time.

Yes in that case yes.
If my boss kept insisting on something being done his way, I'd just do it. (and then say "I told you so!" when it blew up! )

Re: Opinion: Work tasks

Message edited 6/15/2022 2:24:52 PM.

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My husband was once told that sometimes the boss tells you to put carpet on the roof, and while that makes no sense, you just have to put carpet on the roof. ( figuratively)

I don't know if I 100% agree anymore.

I think it is helpful on either side to think about your motivation.

In the OP's example- hanging the rag up is probably to let it air out a little & not leave a puddle on the counter. He may not have known that being new, but the manager should have said that. "Because I said so" is never a great answer.

I worked at a job for many years and toward the end there was a lot of turnover, both with entry level employees and management.

There were several small things that people started doing differently. It would annoy me, but I had to actually work hard at letting things go if they didn't matter. If it did matter, I tried to explain why we needed to do it the original way. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. :)

One thing was that we used Office, so everything was on excel sheets, but a lot of the younger people preferred, Google, so they started putting everything in Google Sheets, because it was easier for multiple people to edit. I hated that we had different places to look for things, and thought it was simple enough to stick to Excel if people remembered to close the documents, but I went with flow, even though I and others who were fine wiotht e old way had seniority.

I only lost my mind when everyone took the bathroom keys home or left them In the bathroom on their way to elevator instead of putting them on the front desk & I was the last one in the office & had to hold it!

Message edited 6/16/2022 11:26:38 AM.

Opinion: Work tasks

There's a big generational shift. The pandemic has really changed peoples outlook on work. A lot of things employers expect are simply unrealistic and employees are getting smarter. I think there is a very line with constructively expressing how something may get done more efficiently as opposed to being disrespectful. But if employers don't respect their employees either, it's a two way street.

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Re: Opinion: Work tasks

Posted by Sash

Posted by KarenK122

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by klingklang77

Posted by LuckyStar

Posted by KarenK122

Posted by Budjeg11

Posted by lululu

I think that you can offer suggestions but ultimately you need to do things the way that your boss is asking you to get them done.

Exactly this!

Yes this! I believe this is a huge problem with the younger generation because they do not want to follow rules. They are your superior for a reason, regardless of whether you agree with them or not.

I disagree. I think in many cases the opinions and skills of younger talent are extremely valuable. The level of inefficiency in some workplaces is baffling and new blood is needed to alleviate those inefficiencies. It’s usually the superiors, the people who have been in their roles for 30 years and not budged, who are the root of the problem.

I agree with your disagree, lol.

The younger generation is not putting up with the BS of seniority and 'nobody wants to work' excuse. And why should they? They are pretty efficient, highly skilled, and intelligent. ETA: A LOT depends on pay!

Some may say they think they are entitled. I don't think so. I think they are smart.

I don't even think it's a matter of old vs young.
I like to hear other people's ideas.
If someone on my team has a new way of doing something, or a suggestion to make things better, as a manager, I love to hear it.
It may not always pan out, but having an open mind is always better than a closed mind.
I'm lucky my manager has the same way of thinking. And he's older than me! LOL
It really has lead to improvements in processes over the years and lead our team to grow so much.

I have no issue with employees giving their opinions on things that can done more efficiently or ideas on things that may enhance the business but at least from a personal perspective, my husband oversees close to 100 employees. The ridiculous excuses that are given for not doing their jobs is mind boggling. Just recently, he had an employee ask for a 2 week bereavement for the death of his dog. He had another say they could not complete a task in the timeframe because it was affecting their mental health. The assignment didn't even start yet. Another told him he will not work with specific customers because he did like the "vibe". Another told him he could not start work until 10 am because of his sleep cycle. Give me a break.

The 10am and dog bereavement I could deal with but the mental health for a task and the customer vibe excuse

Re: Opinion: Work tasks

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by Sash

Posted by KarenK122

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by klingklang77

Posted by LuckyStar

Posted by KarenK122

Posted by Budjeg11

Posted by lululu

I think that you can offer suggestions but ultimately you need to do things the way that your boss is asking you to get them done.

Exactly this!

Yes this! I believe this is a huge problem with the younger generation because they do not want to follow rules. They are your superior for a reason, regardless of whether you agree with them or not.

I disagree. I think in many cases the opinions and skills of younger talent are extremely valuable. The level of inefficiency in some workplaces is baffling and new blood is needed to alleviate those inefficiencies. It’s usually the superiors, the people who have been in their roles for 30 years and not budged, who are the root of the problem.

I agree with your disagree, lol.

The younger generation is not putting up with the BS of seniority and 'nobody wants to work' excuse. And why should they? They are pretty efficient, highly skilled, and intelligent. ETA: A LOT depends on pay!

Some may say they think they are entitled. I don't think so. I think they are smart.

I don't even think it's a matter of old vs young.
I like to hear other people's ideas.
If someone on my team has a new way of doing something, or a suggestion to make things better, as a manager, I love to hear it.
It may not always pan out, but having an open mind is always better than a closed mind.
I'm lucky my manager has the same way of thinking. And he's older than me! LOL
It really has lead to improvements in processes over the years and lead our team to grow so much.

I have no issue with employees giving their opinions on things that can done more efficiently or ideas on things that may enhance the business but at least from a personal perspective, my husband oversees close to 100 employees. The ridiculous excuses that are given for not doing their jobs is mind boggling. Just recently, he had an employee ask for a 2 week bereavement for the death of his dog. He had another say they could not complete a task in the timeframe because it was affecting their mental health. The assignment didn't even start yet. Another told him he will not work with specific customers because he did like the "vibe". Another told him he could not start work until 10 am because of his sleep cycle. Give me a break.

The 10am and dog bereavement I could deal with but the mental health for a task and the customer vibe excuse

If I couldn't work with people due to their "vibe", I'd pretty much be working only with 3 people.