What should I do to my unreasonable boss? (employed, credit, accountants)

[Iwonderwhy]

I am sick and taking a few days off during month-end reporting time (I am an Accountant).

My boss firstly insisted on my working from home but I didn't agree as I couldn't commit myself while I was sick. He was not happy.

Yesterday I was feeling a little better so I worked from home. I noticed a mistake made by one of my staff so I called her and asked her to correct it. Not sure if my boss heard our phone conversation or my staff mentioned this to my boss. My boss sent me the below email:

"I heard you are doing some work from home. Please don't bother. We don't need any misunderstanding. I will take full responsibility to the monthly reporting."

I was pissed off by this email. What should I do?

[maf763]

Doing something to your boss may not be the wisest course of action. Maybe you should have called him to explain that you were feeling well enough to work, but only from home.

[Sassberto]

Start looking for a new job.

[Lillietta]

As hard as it is, let it go. Obviously this woman you called to correct the error is a little snitch. Interact with her as little as possible.

[RoaminRed]

Let it slide, dust off your resume, and start shopping for a new job.

[johnycakes]

When I worked at The Firm, there an understanding that if you wanted to knock yourself out and go above-and-beyond, fine... provided you got it right. There was no kudos or other credit or recognition given for trying to do a good job... only for doing a good job. And if one bit off more than he/she could chew... or, in your case.... tried to do the work even though sick and working from home, there was no slack cut for any mistakes made in the process. Bottom line was only do what you know you could do well. (Oh, and if your utilization dropped because you couldn't do as much as well as the next guy, that was the fast track out the door, too... just as fast as trying to do as much as the next guy but screwing it up.)

My advice: let the boss handle this one and catch up on your daytime TV in the meantime.

[nebulous1]

Originally Posted by johnycakes

When I worked at The Firm, there an understanding that if you wanted to knock yourself out and go above-and-beyond, fine... provided you got it right. There was no kudos or other credit or recognition given for trying to do a good job... only for doing a good job. And if one bit off more than he/she could chew... or, in your case.... tried to do the work even though sick and working from home, there was no slack cut for any mistakes made in the process. Bottom line was only do what you know you could do well. (Oh, and if your utilization dropped because you couldn't do as much as well as the next guy, that was the fast track out the door, too... just as fast as trying to do as much as the next guy but screwing it up.)

My advice: let the boss handle this one and catch up on your daytime TV in the meantime.

Yeah..."trying" doesn't cut it, and don't use that word...as in "I am trying my best." I personally don't think it is a bad word to use, but we all have to walk on egg-shells with bosses now. They love buzzwords like "teamwork."
So you talk like this..."I am utilizing my best tools and skills to achieve and facilitate the maximum results. It is important to me to be part of the team and work for the group."

They love work communism, believe me.

[Threestep]

You are too sick to come in for month end but can so to say check behind your staff?
Resume time especially if you are the new kid on the block. Unless you are on an IV - you are at work for month end not to mention year end.

[Dave1215]

(1) I'd let it slide if it was a one-time occurance - don't start a battle with the boss. If it is not a one-time occurance, but a regular pattern then I agree with dusting off the resume (and still don't make a big deal of it since you want to be employed when looking for the next opportunity).

(2) Realizing that month-end reporting is one of the most critical and stressful times for the accountants I would have made every effort to be in the office on that day you were feeling a "little better".

[questioner2]

Why does everyone insist on running for the exits and quit when they have a bad boss? I say work really hard to get in agreement with the bad boss and if you strike out go to his/her boss with your concerns. The big boss should know about the management skills of his direct reports.