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Did I just get myself fired or did I do the right thing?

S

slackerinabox

Lifer
Sorry if this reads like a diary entry, just bitching. To preface, most of my experience and expertise lies in web management and I'm fairly good around drupal and the likes.. I was the web manager at my job until the it manager resigned, and was given a promotion in name only but not salary. I explained my reservations going in - "I'm not trained nor certified, and respect that it'll be a challenge and more suitable options out there, but I'll take the gamble..." Anyways, I've done a good job piecing together basic server management and troubleshooting, and google and tech forums have been a blessing.

Anyways, our sever room was over heating and I made documented attempts to remedy the situation every few weeks.. "It's really too hot, we're blasting the ac but we need additional cooling or venting - it's critical." Anyways, my attempts were rejected 'until next fiscal year,' but I continued to try whatever bootleg fan cooling I could try. Long story short - our financial server dies on us. And an incomplete backup set too! So I stayed late every night last week, beyond 11 pm on occasion (and arrange babysitting) to get this fixed, terrifying because I never did anything more complex than reboot a server before, let alone replace 3 drives and reinstall windows server, sql, and configure the whole mess from scratch.

So stressful week - flashforward to FATHER'S DAY, my first with a toddler (the kid wasn't really aware last father's day). .. I get a call during Iron Man 3 (old, I don't get out much) and get out of the show with 3 voicemails about vpn issues. I'm all "come on, it's a sunday and I'm not required to be on call." I instead continue with my night since it's very hard to troubleshoot away from a computer since i'm no expert... Anyways, monday morning I return to 8 messages on my voicemail and several angry emails from my boss. "You're expected to be reachable...This is unacceptable."

I forward that email to my COO, storm in and offer my two month notice. He plays it cool and says "I understand where you're coming from.. She's being unreasonable, you're right. I apologize for her and I'd like you to reconsider.. think it over some more, you're doing a great job here" He's been very nice to me since, but she's away and hasn't confronted me yet. As she's a V.P., I'm probably a goner... Worth it? I'm feeling oddly liberated and guilty for being a tool as well.
 
I think you are well within reason to do what you did, and isnt VP under COO anyway? As long as the COO is on your side you have nothing to worry about. I probobly would have at least checked the messages and gone in if somthing was CRITICALLY wrong, but im just a contractor IT tech.

On that note............if you have ANY contractors working for you, please treat them well 🙂
 
You did the principled thing. "Right" is subjective, and can be twisted to mean anything. If you let people push you around, you'll get pushed around. Standing up for yourself could cost you a job, but money isn't worth being a slave or whipping boy for someone else. Your financial state will dictate how much you have to take.
 
Smoblikat said:
I think you are well within reason to do what you did, and isnt VP under COO anyway? As long as the COO is on your side you have nothing to worry about. I probobly would have at least checked the messages and gone in if somthing was CRITICALLY wrong, but im just a contractor IT tech.

On that note............if you have ANY contractors working for you, please treat them well 🙂
Click to expand...

Yep, the COO is above her. She does not react kindly to being spoken back to, I'm a bit terrified frankly.

Contractors saved my ass when I couldn't figure out why a crucial app couldn't communicate with the sql server - I bought him coffee, breakfast, and a cab for staying in late on my dime, because the company has an uncalled for no-tipping policy (he came when I thought we could save the server and provided excellent support when I had some brain teaser problems).
 
So you never finished saying what happened with getting that financial server back up...


Did you fix it? Was the VPN issue related to that?
 
SheHateMe said:
So you never finished saying what happened with getting that financial server back up...


Did you fix it? Was the VPN issue related to that?
Click to expand...

It was pretty awful (we tried for 2 days to recover the raid set but basically having to start from scratch). My prior had back up sets but were missing crucial elements, INCLUDING THE SQL BAK FILE! Luckily I did a test dump last month so had fairly recent data (we'll, accurate up to 3 year and 11 months ago), and volunteered to enter the data back. that only took a day actually, so the real brain buster was setting up everything from scratch without having any documentation (and lots of proprietary software with very esoteric named settings).

The vpn issue wasn't an issue, I sent directions 3 times but the person in question didn't know how to follow the directions. I normally remote in and just do it for them (I don't try to change the world and force people to learn something they're indifferent about), but I was away from a computer and knew I wouldn't be able to walk them through it over the phone (mostly because I just don't know what things are called nor do I have the steps memorized).
 
Last edited:
Lifted said:
"That's it! I've had it! I'm giving you 2 months notice, or not! It's really up to you!"

Did I nail it?
Click to expand...

Close, though I don't think I looked cool or cinematic - I was sweating and crying a little... I woke up early on father's day to take my dad to church (I don't like church!) and lunch, and I'm getting bitched out- the karma felt out of balance and it just got to me.. I don't want an award, just leave me alone 🙂
 
The slings and arrows of IT! What a stressful week! You did the right thing. I would talk to the COO about resetting the expectations for the position and that he communicates them to the organization. Keep fighting the good fight.
 
Polish up your resume. Even if the COO intervenes on your behalf, she's gonna be looking for reasons to get rid of you.
 
Lifted said:
Hush heathen! Threatening to quit (in 2 months 😀) over a 1 sentence email is completely normal and justified behavior from an IT manager.
Click to expand...

ha, try several emails and several voicemails, and a general sense that I'm the whipping boy of the group because I just usually do my job and shut up.
 
IT Manager with no server end support experience getting slammed with re-installing fiancial SQL server from scratch and restoring a backup and getting called on a weekend for a stupid VPN issue? are you a one man IT shop?

I would have gone straight to my boss on Monday morning and had a closed door meeting with her. also why did the user call your VP for a issue, do you not have a established procedure for after hours support?
 
Printer Bandit said:
pussy move to go to the COO. should have talked to your manager first.
Click to expand...

Indeed, I agree with you - I acted on gut. But my gut was that, no matter what I said, she would have reported back negatively on me and now that they're tightening their belt and I'm already the weird introvert of the office who doesn't happy hour with them and is bright but doesn't fit the clique, I'm disposable... I thought CCing him right away would give him the unfiltered story before she could taint her argument. And I meant my 2 months notice. I said "Fire me, whatever. Or let me find a new job, calmly hand over passwords, and aid in the 2 month transition." I wasn't bluffing, my hope and calculation is that he empathizes just enough to lay me off with unemployment while I find a new gig.
 
Last edited:
OutHouse said:
IT Manager with no server end support experience getting slammed with re-installing fiancial SQL server from scratch and restoring a backup and getting called on a weekend for a stupid VPN issue? are you a one man IT shop?

I would have gone straight to my boss on Monday morning and had a closed door meeting with her. also why did the user call your VP for a issue, do you not have a established procedure for after hours support?
Click to expand...

The user called me multiple times because she could not configure her VPN even though I supplied her with instructions repeatedly. She reported me (probably passive aggressively "do you know sam's number, i'm trying to reach him") and my boss tries contacting me.

We do not have an after hours policy, never was told I was expected to answer after hour support calls. In the past as a courtesy I'd text back in case of an emergency ("Sure, i'll reboot the exchange server remotely") but it was never told as expected of me (and I wouldn't have agreed at my strictly 9 to 5 salary).
 
freedomsbeat212 said:
Sorry if this reads like a diary entry, just bitching. To preface, most of my experience and expertise lies in web management and I'm fairly good around drupal and the likes.. I was the web manager at my job until the it manager resigned, and was given a promotion in name only but not salary. I explained my reservations going in - "I'm not trained nor certified, and respect that it'll be a challenge and more suitable options out there, but I'll take the gamble..." Anyways, I've done a good job piecing together basic server management and troubleshooting, and google and tech forums have been a blessing.

Anyways, our sever room was over heating and I made documented attempts to remedy the situation every few weeks.. "It's really too hot, we're blasting the ac but we need additional cooling or venting - it's critical." Anyways, my attempts were rejected 'until next fiscal year,' but I continued to try whatever bootleg fan cooling I could try. Long story short - our financial server dies on us. And an incomplete backup set too! So I stayed late every night last week, beyond 11 pm on occasion (and arrange babysitting) to get this fixed, terrifying because I never did anything more complex than reboot a server before, let alone replace 3 drives and reinstall windows server, sql, and configure the whole mess from scratch.

So stressful week - flashforward to FATHER'S DAY, my first with a toddler (the kid wasn't really aware last father's day). .. I get a call during Iron Man 3 (old, I don't get out much) and get out of the show with 3 voicemails about vpn issues. I'm all "come on, it's a sunday and I'm not required to be on call." I instead continue with my night since it's very hard to troubleshoot away from a computer since i'm no expert... Anyways, monday morning I return to 8 messages on my voicemail and several angry emails from my boss. "You're expected to be reachable...This is unacceptable."

I forward that email to my COO, storm in and offer my two month notice. He plays it cool and says "I understand where you're coming from.. She's being unreasonable, you're right. I apologize for her and I'd like you to reconsider.. think it over some more, you're doing a great job here" He's been very nice to me since, but she's away and hasn't confronted me yet. As she's a V.P., I'm probably a goner... Worth it? I'm feeling oddly liberated and guilty for being a tool as well.
Click to expand...


Every organization has its own culture with its own distinct cultural values.

Not all organizational environments are healthy. Nothing wrong with leaving an unhealthy situation.

Whether you get fired or not, consider that it could be prudent for you to find an organization that will provide you with a better opportunity.

Best of luck.
Uno
 
freedomsbeat212 said:
The user called me multiple times because she could not configure her VPN even though I supplied her with instructions repeatedly. She reported me (probably passive aggressively "do you know sam's number, i'm trying to reach him") and my boss tries contacting me.

We do not have an after hours policy, never was told I was expected to answer after hour support calls. In the past as a courtesy I'd text back in case of an emergency ("Sure, i'll reboot the exchange server remotely") but it was never told as expected of me (and I wouldn't have agreed at my strictly 9 to 5 salary).
Click to expand...


i think you as the manager should make such a policy ASAP. the first line should be

"after hours support is for emergencies only"

I don't know your company business or culture so only you can decide what is an emergency that warrants an after hours call.

for example at my company we send out a daily report of any after hours pages, either system generated or user generated. if a user pages us for some stupid shit that is not an emergency their manager will get notified.
 
I think you were in the right for the incident but not how you handled it afterwards.

Your manager was likely stressed about whatever the problem was and fired off an angry email. You shouldn't have responded so harshly to it, especially going over his head. Just take the opportunity to clarify what the boundaries are since there is obviously a misunderstanding where he expects you to be available 24/7. Once he understands that will not happen, he won't get angry when it doesn't.

You might be screwed, who knows. Honestly how valuable are you.. ask yourself. It sounds like you might be a mission critical guy what they usually seem to do with folks like you is keep you on long enough for them to find a temp to replace you while they conduct a job search. But if that were the case it would make more sense to have accepted 2 months (really?) notice
 
OP-

They're having trouble finding someone willing to do your job at your salary. As you said, you took on more responsibilities but not more pay. That also makes you an A++ fall guy for your immediate superior. I don't know what your company does, but losing financial data (even temporarily) sounds like a bad thing and your superior is probably feeling some heat for that.

They're just stringing you along until someone desperate enough submits an application.
 
OutHouse said:
i think you as the manager should make such a policy ASAP. the first line should be

"after hours support is for emergencies only"

I don't know your company business or culture so only you can decide what is an emergency that warrants an after hours call.

for example at my company we send out a daily report of any after hours pages, either system generated or user generated. if a user pages us for some stupid shit that is not an emergency their manager will get notified.
Click to expand...

This.

In the future I would try to refrain from making any sort of threats like quitting. It makes you look weak, emotional, and unstable. I would also use the recent events to address your salary situation and explain to them that you are ok with the increased burden of responsibility, but you need to be compensated accordingly if you are expected to be accessible 24/7 and be held accountable if you are not available.
 
xalos said:
This.

In the future I would try to refrain from making any sort of threats like quitting. It makes you look weak, emotional, and unstable. I would also use the recent events to address your salary situation and explain to them that you are ok with the increased burden of responsibility, but you need to be compensated accordingly if you are expected to be accessible 24/7 and be held accountable if you are not available.
Click to expand...

Good point about threats of quitting - they don't show you well. But still, OP, it's not devastating at this point; your COO knows you are unjustly targeted, your VP knows you have the guts to go over her head if pushed, and everybody knows you feel affronted because you have been doing above-and-beyond your call of duty. Next time though, you could address this calmer and have a bigger impact.

But don't pull the salary raise question now. Wait for the next performance review and leverage it. Trust me it will go better.

Remember, your COO is nice to you not because he feels sorry for you, but because he has done the calculation already - you are giving more value to the company than you are getting from it. If they pay you more, you better be worth it, else you might end up getting canned! So bone up on some books, training etc and be really valuable knowledge-wise.

And set aside some time where they can't disturb you - as in, "I will not have my cell phone with me at this time". If you pick up the phone or get the voice msg and don't respond, people will get pissed, justified or not.
 
radhak said:
Good point about threats of quitting - they don't show you well. But still, OP, it's not devastating at this point; your COO knows you are unjustly targeted, your VP knows you have the guts to go over her head if pushed, and everybody knows you feel affronted because you have been doing above-and-beyond your call of duty. Next time though, you could address this calmer and have a bigger impact.

But don't pull the salary raise question now. Wait for the next performance review and leverage it. Trust me it will go better.

Remember, your COO is nice to you not because he feels sorry for you, but because he has done the calculation already - you are giving more value to the company than you are getting from it. If they pay you more, you better be worth it, else you might end up getting canned! So bone up on some books, training etc and be really valuable knowledge-wise.

And set aside some time where they can't disturb you - as in, "I will not have my cell phone with me at this time". If you pick up the phone or get the voice msg and don't respond, people will get pissed, justified or not.
Click to expand...

If he raises the salary question now it will help explain his irrational response to the VP's email and voicemail messages. He can use the excuse of "Why should I be available if I'm not being paid to be available?" and soothe things over with the VP by explaining that he has put in a lot of hours in lately with no reward and that he felt unappreciated due to her reaction considering that he is essentially doing the duties as a favor.

I don't understand the point of waiting until the performance review to address the salary issue. It has a chance of backfiring and he will also go without the additional pay until then even if the salary situation becomes remedied.
 
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