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Question from our one participant:--What do I say to a boss who consistently steals credit for my work on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis? If a question comes from a client and she doesn’t know the answer (which is often the case), she asks me to help her out. She then turns around and delivers my advice to the client as her own. She strenuously objects if I suggest that we call the client together—even more so if I contact the client—all in the name of “teamwork” of course.
She also secures all of my suggestions for improvement of company processes and procedures and presents them to upper management as her own. I know all about “documenting” but I don’t feel like I should have to do that. A good boss would freely give credit where credit is due, as I myself have consistently done throughout my career. By the way, the “clients” are all internal. I have been with the company for over ten years and she has been with the company for less than a year.
Read full blog on What to Do When Your Boss Steals Credit for Your Work <link updated to site home> ( Search On Cite | Search On Google )
From India, Gurgaon
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Question from our one participant:--What do I say to a boss who consistently steals credit for my work on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis? If a question comes from a client and she doesn’t know the answer (which is often the case), she asks me to help her out. She then turns around and delivers my advice to the client as her own. She strenuously objects if I suggest that we call the client together—even more so if I contact the client—all in the name of “teamwork” of course.
She also secures all of my suggestions for improvement of company processes and procedures and presents them to upper management as her own. I know all about “documenting” but I don’t feel like I should have to do that. A good boss would freely give credit where credit is due, as I myself have consistently done throughout my career. By the way, the “clients” are all internal. I have been with the company for over ten years and she has been with the company for less than a year.
Read full blog on What to Do When Your Boss Steals Credit for Your Work <link updated to site home> ( Search On Cite | Search On Google )
From India, Gurgaon
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Dear Ms. Priyanka,
I suggest you take this in your stride with pride! Let me tell you why.
Look, can she be telling clients that her subordinate gave this piece of advice?
I only hope your boss (she) admires you or acknowledges how you support her. After all, she is your boss and probably the one who will be writing your appraisals. If you are the type who helps, do it with all your heart and don't hold back!
However, if that's not the case, then she is surely stealing your shine.
On the other hand, if you decide not to share the information, imagine how your relations are going to be.
From Oman, Muscat
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5I suggest you take this in your stride with pride! Let me tell you why.
Look, can she be telling clients that her subordinate gave this piece of advice?
I only hope your boss (she) admires you or acknowledges how you support her. After all, she is your boss and probably the one who will be writing your appraisals. If you are the type who helps, do it with all your heart and don't hold back!
However, if that's not the case, then she is surely stealing your shine.
On the other hand, if you decide not to share the information, imagine how your relations are going to be.
From Oman, Muscat
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Hi,
I would actually recommend the other course of action. While helping your boss, also tell her that you would like to see her in action while she delivers this to the client - since she's so good at it and your shadowing her would add a lot of benefit and exposure. This would not only allow you to flatten her ego but also be present while she's delivering her 'idea.' And since you'll also be around, I'm hoping decency prevails and she shares a bit of the credit.
Do let us know if it helped!
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I would actually recommend the other course of action. While helping your boss, also tell her that you would like to see her in action while she delivers this to the client - since she's so good at it and your shadowing her would add a lot of benefit and exposure. This would not only allow you to flatten her ego but also be present while she's delivering her 'idea.' And since you'll also be around, I'm hoping decency prevails and she shares a bit of the credit.
Do let us know if it helped!
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Dear all, Please note. Priyanka is not posing a question. She is in fact trying to divert traffic to her blog.
From United Kingdom
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From United Kingdom
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Ms. Priyanka,
Let me give you an overview of such a situation; the final practice is yours.
The causes for such situations:
1. The boss's schedule is too busy to do the work assigned to you.
2. The boss is not capable of doing the work.
3. The boss is not capable of doing that particular work.
4. The boss doesn't want to work but tries to show him/herself as a hardworking person.
5. The boss does not like you.
Whatever the reasons might be, have one thing very clear in mind, "Whichever the company, whatever the process, how tough the work is, when you accepted the offer and joined the organization, it's your duty to follow the assignment by your boss. You cannot say or ask what your gain will be because that is why you are paid a salary every month and you accepted it followed by joining in that company."
Now, when coming back to your situation:
- If the reason is 1, then you need not worry. You will learn good knowledge from him/her, and he/she will take care of your career as long as you are with that person.
- If the reason is 2, then there is no option because that person has reached a boss level somehow, so he/she doesn't know about anything. In such cases, whatever job is assigned to you, you need to receive it through mail, finish it, and then seek acceptance from the boss. Everything should be documented in an email as proof. If the boss is unwilling to provide emails, finish the assigned job and then send an email to the boss, asking for acknowledgment of the completion of work or any corrections, in a polite way. During the appraisal, you can demand what you deserve. If this is not happening, then look for another offer because the longer you stay with this kind of boss, the less you will learn, and your knowledge will fade.
- If the reason is 3, then your boss is a good person/professional who still delegates responsibilities to you. Be a shadow for the boss.
- If the reason is 4, nobody can help you because he/she became a boss only by impressing others. Be very careful and ensure you get what you deserve for your work.
- If the reason is 5, my suggestion is, "Better change the project/process or even the company."
NOTE:
Apart from all the above explanations, for reasons 2, 4, 5, you can escalate to your HR only if you have proofs. Make sure that your boss and the HR are not friends, and the HR is unbiased toward management.
The most crucial thing is to complete a minimum of 1 year, whatever the situation, in whichever company.
From United States
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Let me give you an overview of such a situation; the final practice is yours.
The causes for such situations:
1. The boss's schedule is too busy to do the work assigned to you.
2. The boss is not capable of doing the work.
3. The boss is not capable of doing that particular work.
4. The boss doesn't want to work but tries to show him/herself as a hardworking person.
5. The boss does not like you.
Whatever the reasons might be, have one thing very clear in mind, "Whichever the company, whatever the process, how tough the work is, when you accepted the offer and joined the organization, it's your duty to follow the assignment by your boss. You cannot say or ask what your gain will be because that is why you are paid a salary every month and you accepted it followed by joining in that company."
Now, when coming back to your situation:
- If the reason is 1, then you need not worry. You will learn good knowledge from him/her, and he/she will take care of your career as long as you are with that person.
- If the reason is 2, then there is no option because that person has reached a boss level somehow, so he/she doesn't know about anything. In such cases, whatever job is assigned to you, you need to receive it through mail, finish it, and then seek acceptance from the boss. Everything should be documented in an email as proof. If the boss is unwilling to provide emails, finish the assigned job and then send an email to the boss, asking for acknowledgment of the completion of work or any corrections, in a polite way. During the appraisal, you can demand what you deserve. If this is not happening, then look for another offer because the longer you stay with this kind of boss, the less you will learn, and your knowledge will fade.
- If the reason is 3, then your boss is a good person/professional who still delegates responsibilities to you. Be a shadow for the boss.
- If the reason is 4, nobody can help you because he/she became a boss only by impressing others. Be very careful and ensure you get what you deserve for your work.
- If the reason is 5, my suggestion is, "Better change the project/process or even the company."
NOTE:
Apart from all the above explanations, for reasons 2, 4, 5, you can escalate to your HR only if you have proofs. Make sure that your boss and the HR are not friends, and the HR is unbiased toward management.
The most crucial thing is to complete a minimum of 1 year, whatever the situation, in whichever company.
From United States
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This is very common - boss stealing credit for subordinates' work - especially in R&D Centers, research organizations, etc. On many occasions, a 'gracious' boss acknowledges the contribution of subordinate(s) by naming them as co-authors/co-inventors! And there have been occasions in India's premier research organizations when subordinates dissatisfied with such acknowledgements left the organization for greener pastures (read abroad). The choice is yours, you can either grin and bear it or say goodbye to your company!
Escalating the matter may or may not work. If your company is very large and has several tiers with a strong HR, this will work. Otherwise, your boss will show her true colors in your appraisal!
Now, let us take an example. Thomas Alva Edison has 1093 patents for inventions registered in his name. Do you think that all these products were invented by Edison single-handed? Many of his assistants would have contributed by offering suggestions for improvements! Before coming out with the final product, Edison is said to have tried 100 other types of incandescent bulbs!
From India, Mumbai
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Escalating the matter may or may not work. If your company is very large and has several tiers with a strong HR, this will work. Otherwise, your boss will show her true colors in your appraisal!
Now, let us take an example. Thomas Alva Edison has 1093 patents for inventions registered in his name. Do you think that all these products were invented by Edison single-handed? Many of his assistants would have contributed by offering suggestions for improvements! Before coming out with the final product, Edison is said to have tried 100 other types of incandescent bulbs!
From India, Mumbai
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Good Observation ! To ensure that traffic is not diverted to any oyther blog citeHR admin can perhaps block the URL’s so that questions are posed & answered in this site itself.
From India, Bangalore
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From India, Bangalore
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Dear Mr. Nashbramhall,
Perfect observation. It looks the same as posted by you.
Dear Mr. Dasarp,
I think URLs need not be blocked. It will enable everyone to share/utilize useful information through such URLs. If the URL has eye-catching capability, it will, but the platform CiteHR has provided is really appreciable. Thanks to all CiteHR team.
From India, Indore
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Perfect observation. It looks the same as posted by you.
Dear Mr. Dasarp,
I think URLs need not be blocked. It will enable everyone to share/utilize useful information through such URLs. If the URL has eye-catching capability, it will, but the platform CiteHR has provided is really appreciable. Thanks to all CiteHR team.
From India, Indore
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