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80-RE4
Top Member
USA
5700 Posts |
 Posted - 09/22/2003 : 6:02:49 PM
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I really feel bad for my manager. She is new to our terminal and has been going through pure hell this year. First, our routes were MAJORLY messed up, she is new to the area and unfamiliar with all of us. She's had to deal with very upset driver's, parent's and what not.
She cries almost every other day. What would you guys do? I want to tell her I think she is doing a good job, but don't want people to say I'm brown nosing, I mean what would I brown nose for? People acuse everyone of brown nosing at my terminal, I have nothing to brown nose for, I dont want charters, extra work etc...
How do managers cope under all the stress. I always thought it was an easy job, I never knew how stressful it is trying to keep everyone happy yet run the routes effeciently, deal with sicks calls, complaints, figures, schedules, all of that.
I think she is great. She is down to earth, yet goofy at times, and takes the time to listen to us. |
Edited by - 80-RE4 on 09/22/2003 6:04:24 PM
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Sherm
Top Member
USA
621 Posts |
Posted - 09/23/2003 : 04:45:01 AM
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Go to her office and tell her what you have just said here. She will appreciate it very much and she obviously needs some support.
As a manager myself, I have days when I wonder just what it is I'm accomplishing. For everything that goes right, there are two things that go wrong.
I try to give my drivers encouragement as often as possible; both as a group and individually. They need it. But so do the managers and the office staff because as you've discovered, our jobs aren't easy either. I don't get alot of encouragement from my folks but I don't dwell on that. I do my best everyday to provide a safe, productive workplace for my folks. My wife gets to hear all of my griping every night but I remain professional at work. |
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DURHAMIZED
Senior Member
55 Posts |
Posted - 09/23/2003 : 11:48:04 PM
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My opinion (for what its worth) is that you worry too much about what others think. Who cares if others think you are brown-nosing??? If they think that only because you support your manager and have empathy for the stress she is going through, then it doesn't matter what you do or say, they will think what they want.
Your manager on the other hand, is paid to do exactly what you describe though. Its her job to deal with drivers, parent complaints, figures, schedules, etc. If she is new to your terminal & new to the area - she knew this before taking this job. It sounds as if she may have transferred from another location?? If so, then she has been a manager before and knows her job is no cakewalk. This position is a very stressful job and to add the additional stress of taking on an unfamiliar area, new drivers (new to her), probably new school district, all at the beginning of a new school year - anyone who would do that with experience, let alone no experience, would know they have an uphill struggle & should be prepared. If not then, yes I would empathize with her somewhat, but this is her job & one that she accepted & is paid for.
You mention she always takes the time to listen - that is great - you have something many drivers do not have. Be supportive, tell her this and to anyone else & their thoughts about why you say this - tell them to get a life & find something to do that might be supportive as well as productive:) |
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JK
Top Member
USA
7307 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2003 : 06:02:34 AM
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I can agree with DURHAMIZED post, especially where the manager listens and apparently attempts to find the narrow path to pleasing everyone. Impossible to do and increases the stress. Regardless, where the intent is practiced your manager my become a superb delegator and an effective manager. Divided is tough, caring risky and reflects a genuine person struggling to become the best. (jk)
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macondriver
Top Member
USA
533 Posts |
Posted - 09/27/2003 : 3:52:51 PM
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| how big is your contract? does she have an asst ? can she put up for bid a clairical(spelling?) job ? that is what ours had to do but we have a very big contrat with lot of departments we have safty with at least 6 people, dds with 2 , payrool has only one, dispatch has 2 plus me but i also do cameras and field trips i am called third dispatch, and now we have a woman that comes in to safty and does alot of paper work for them and the boss. we alos have a driver that helps me with the cameras and two that clean the lots and two shifts in the garage with no les the 4 on duty plus the supervisor and everyone normally nds up driving at least one shift...... |
Driving my way to the top, in a big yellow bus...and proud of it. |
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80-RE4
Top Member
USA
5700 Posts |
Posted - 09/27/2003 : 7:51:54 PM
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My bus terminal is very small. We have around 45 - 50 buses, give or take some. Our new manager has been transfered to our terminal. The wierd thing is that she came from a terminal with over 250 buses. I think she can handle it, but it must have been very overwhelming to her. They didn't get the bus routes in until 3 days before school started. The routes were a mess and she had drivers complaining left and right.
She is doing good now. I'm glad she is our manager she is "human". Not to say that our other manager wasn't, but our new manager is more friendly and takes the time to listen to us. |
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macondriver
Top Member
USA
533 Posts |
Posted - 09/28/2003 : 3:04:32 PM
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| oh no coming from bigger to smaller is not eaiser.at "bigger" there is so much more staff to do their own thing, at "smaller" there is one person to do everything......i know when my sister in law went form bigger to smaller she was so scared and had such a hard time that she tought about quiting, but she stuck it out and sooner or later it will all fall into place......just give her support, sheis very lucky to have an employee like you |
Driving my way to the top, in a big yellow bus...and proud of it. |
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Busrepair
Senior Member
121 Posts |
Posted - 09/29/2003 : 12:41:32 PM
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| Its always helpful to hear you are doing a good job when hew to someplace. I advise that you ask the other drivers for their support then they won't be able to say you are brown nosing. I agree that this is her job but it never hurts to give someone a pat on the back. |
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My poor overly worked manager
