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Ex-Boss ignoring my IDP hrs confirmation request

28goingon48

So I had gotten layed off from my previous job due to lack of work ( I was his only employee). We parted on good terms (aside from the fact I was told on a friday, dont come in Monday) but in need of work i bit my tongue.  Luckily about 3 weeks later I found a new job.  Out of professional courtesy, I called my ex-boss to notify him I would not be available and I would mail him the office key, and he mentioned he needs to sign off on my IDP hours.

2 wks went by and nothing.  When I mailed the key, I asked him to let me know (via email) when he got the key, and also mention the IDP hours.  then nothing....Another 2 weeks goes by, I send a pleasant email, asking if he received the key and mentioning IDP. (i know he read the email via "confirmation receipt") Still nothing...It has been about 7 weeks since I left...and in actuallity i has been 3 months since I submitted the hours, I want to get them logged before entering hrs at the new job.  Any advice what to do.  I don't want to get harsh, because that would probably just piss him off and unfortunatley there are no penalties for ignoring me...Stuck!

 
Jul 11, 11 9:51 am
won and done williams

Talk to him?

Jul 11, 11 10:14 am  · 
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28goingon48

yeah..I suppose that would be a logical step...though I have a gut feeling he will be dodging my phone call.  Last I spoke with him, he was somewhat short with me

Jul 11, 11 10:20 am  · 
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citizen

Yes, Won is right.  This is a good example of where all those finely tuned social skills we hopefully learned are important.  You need something from someone who does not have to help you.  You need to keep a humble attitude, even if you get really aggravated, or you may be screwed. 

Stop by the office: "Hey, I know you're busy, but I wanted to make sure you got the key, and also wanted to make sure you got the paperwork you needed to sign off on my IDP hours...."  Something along those lines.  It's harder to be a jerk in person.

Good luck!

Jul 11, 11 12:07 pm  · 
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citizen is right.

I do want to point out, though, that while your old boss doesn't, I guess, legally have to sign your IDP papers, for him to lay you off then dodge this tiny professional commitment on his part is just lazy and nasty.

Giving the benefit of the doubt, however, perhaps he's so stressed at not having any work that he's unable to focus for the five minutes it would take to do the signature.  Visiting him in person is best.

Jul 12, 11 1:11 pm  · 
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druf

Show up in person at his place of business (or if you want to be a dick, at his residence at 10:00 pm on a Sunday night) with an extra copy of the IDP forms in your hands.  Demand that he sign them, wait on them if he says that he'll have to look at them first, but don't leave until you get the ink!!!

If that fails... re-enact the street fight scene from Season 3 of Deadwood.

Jul 12, 11 8:33 pm  · 
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28goingon48

I sent him another email (monday), going to give it a week, then all bets are off and I'll just start calling weekly.  I did give him the benefit of the doubt, since his office is hurting, but a simple one line email stating whatever his excuse is as courtesy is not too much too ask.  He is blatenly ignoring me now and I am not above calling from random pay phones if he starts ignoring my number

Unfortunately going there would be almost impossible, since the new job is about 60miles away from his office

Yeah the whole lay-off situation pissed me off but kind of relieved me also.  I wasnt surprised, since he had been saying not to come in on random days.  I had only been there 6 months and was dying to get out, luckily it worked our for me.

Jul 13, 11 12:56 pm  · 
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won and done williams

Just call him!

Stop sending emails!

Set up a time to meet to sign the papers. Why are you making this so difficult on yourself and him?

Jul 13, 11 2:53 pm  · 
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28goingon48

won and done williams:

-If you re-read the original post, my first action was CALLING HIM, where he acknowleded his obligation.

-IDP is all digital now.  No paper. No signature. all he needs to do is CLICK to confirm

Jul 14, 11 1:32 pm  · 
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marmkid

call him again, and if you dont get to speak with him, mention in the message that you will be nearby and stop in

 

Like someone said, it is much harder to be a jerk in person than over email or on the phone.

 

And at the very least, he should be able to give you an answer as to why he didnt sign off on it yet.  Nothing you said really gave an indication that he would be upset with you, since he is the one who fired you.  If its a small firm and he is swamped, it could very easily get lost in the shuffle, and be 2 or 3 pages down in his email that he just forgets about.  Meeting him in person might get him to quickly sign on and approve your hours.  Be very very nice about it though, since really, he has no actual obligation to sign off on the hours, and you could very well lose them all if you go in with the wrong attitude

Jul 14, 11 1:38 pm  · 
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28goingon48

Unfortunately going there is out of the question, unless I took a day off from my current job.

I'm trying not seem "houndish" yet, and I figure i'll give him the weekend to do it,so come Monday I plan to call. I was his (last) only employee and he had to let me go due to lack of work.  So I can imagine he has a lot on his plate and he was never one to handle stress well

Jul 14, 11 2:03 pm  · 
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...he has no actual obligation to sign off on the hours, and you could very well lose them all if you go in with the wrong attitude

Is this really true?  Doesn't NCARB have some process by which one can file hours and put the burden on the employer to get the thing signed?  Can an employee really lose all their hours because they made the mistake of being employed by an asshole? (Not saying your old employer is necessarily an asshole, 28go48, just using a theoretical.)

 

Jul 14, 11 2:19 pm  · 
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odee

internet slander???

post his name...

Jul 15, 11 12:39 am  · 
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archibernating

As far as I know, employee is not required to sign off on IDP.  I've actually heard worse stories where non-registered architects or interior designers were signing off on employee's IDP who got screwed when they got to the ARE.  So getting screwed by ex-bosses is not anything new.  You may need to bite the bullet and move on.

However, your ex-boss may be genuinely feeling discomforted for firing you and lacks social skills to smooth out the relationship.  I'd say stop by the office.  It will be hard for him to tell you no in your face.

On the flip side again, just to note, firing for lack of work is not entirely legal, in other words you could sue the employer if they did not give you a proper severance.  Given today's economy no one really resorts to those rights to keep the relationships smooth but if the relationship has already gone to s$#@t why not go after him with all you got.   

Jul 16, 11 1:06 pm  · 
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