Work situation - taking credit - WWYD?

Thanks ladies.

Message edited 1/16/2008 11:13:11 AM.

Re: Work situation - taking credit - WWYD?

Are you reporting to the boss for the project, or through someone else?

If you are working with anyone else, I would write emails with your ideas to CYA so he can't take credit as his own. I've even gone so far as after someone else took credit, I forwarded my initial email with the idea to the other person and wrote "So glad my idea/suggestion went over so well!"

I generally find talking to the boss about these things does not work, though it might be worth saying to him that you could do a much better job if given all of the relevant info.

Message edited 1/16/2008 9:52:49 AM.

Re: Work situation - taking credit - WWYD?

I was in a similar situation a few weeks ago, but it was with a co-worker, not my boss.

He was going behind our boss's back, asking for my input on a case, and asking me to do an evaluation. I did - I spent a few days on it and drafted up a 10 page evaluation that I sent to him.

Four weeks later I find out that he sent it up to my boss, representing it as his own.

My theory - you have to protect yourself. I sent an email to my boss telling him that I agreed with my co-worker's analysis, because it was essentially MY analysis, and sent a copy of my original document to our boss, copying the co-worker on the email. That way everyone was aware.

But, if it's YOUR boss who is doing this to you, then you definitely have to be more delicate with the situation. Is there anyone in HR you can talk to? Someone who is above him? Otherwise, I would NOT give anything to your boss unless it's documented in writing or in email. Copy in at least one other person in any of your exchanges, and if he corners you in your office and wants to "talk" about the work, ALWAYS follow-up with an email memorializing the substance of your conversation, copying at least one other person in your email.

Re: Work situation - taking credit - WWYD?

Technically, I'll be reporting to a team and bosses much higher than my boss. So yes, I can copy them in on all my E-mails.

But it IS my boss doing this so I do have to be delicate.

Follow up E-mails to the conversations is a good idea too.

Thanks ladies - I have some E-mails to write.