Title, Power and Authority, does this mean?

[hixtreme45600]

State: New Jersey

Hello all,

As you know in this economy many employers are cutting back by various methods including cutting workforce, hours, benefits, supply and etc.

We are hourly employees; so our department supervisor was let go and we were put under another department. Which is fine, however during this transition our VP told us that she will be in charge of our department directly, another words she will be our new supervisor in a sense. The department we were placed under is totally different from ours so naturally they don't understand our job and we don't understand theirs. However there supervisors believe they can tell us what to do without background knowledge of our department, which is required by law to operate in a manner as directed by law. However our merge departments supervisors refuse to accept this and create there own rules.

If we report this to proper authority they will come down, see whats what and say a little bit of this, that and than leave. After this we will be bullied pretty much.

so my question is, what are you thoughts on this?

Also someone in my workplace with a Title, claims to have all Power and Authority, does this mean I should obey all said to me, regardless if I am right? otherwise suffer consequences?

 

[Free_Advice]

what law specifically did you reference in you post?

 

[swalsh411]

You should do what your boss says unless it is illegal. You will have some protection if you are fired for refusing to perform an illegal act. That you feel your supervisor is not qualified or does not have the required knowledge is not a legal issue.

 

[commentator]

You are not there to do it exactly right according to your own light. Many people, especially those who have been at a place many years, get very posessive of the process. They feel they know how to do the job right, and that they should do it right, instead of doing it how you are told to do it.

That's the wrong way to look at it. You are and employee. You are there because they are paying you to follow the instructions of your supervisors in doing a certain job. If those supervisors are idiots who imperfectly understand the process, that is the problem of their employers, the business owners who are in business to make a profit. But unless what they tell you to do is actually illegal or dangerous (if, for example you are an electrician or a blaster being asked to take short cuts or violate safety regulations) and doing what they tell you to do is in violation of safety or other regulations, yes, you are supposed to do whatever they tell you do. Even if it is not the "right"way to do it, or the most effiecient way to do it. They could elect to close your department or your workplace. Then immediately the whole issue of doing it the right way would be moot. Your job is gone, regardless.

If they fire you for not following their instructions, you are considered to have commited insubordination. You cannot sue them for terminating you. You can file for unemployment insurance. That's about all.

So suck it up, and do what the bosses tell you to do. Don't mutter among yourselves and complain and get overly involved. Don't martyr yourself and sacrifice your job to make a point. If you really can't endure this, you need to be actively looking for another job while still employed there. If you quit, you probably won't be able to draw unemployment insurance while seeking other work.

 

[hixtreme45600]

Wow. Thank you everyone for you input, very interesting a good learning experience. I actually talk to some professionals in my field who pretty much stated as you guys.

One guy even told me "enjoy it". Which I kind of know what he meant lol

Anyways thank you all.


This site is awesome. I always post questions for people, and you guys are always here to help. Thank you.