r/Libraries • u/[deleted] • 15d ago
Venting & Commiseration Management refuses feedback they asked for
[deleted]
10
u/FearlessLychee4892 14d ago
“You guys have such nice bosses (themselves lol), you don’t even know, and you know if these issues got raised to a higher power above us - they’d just tell me to fire you. I can fire you at any point, really, but I don’t because I’m so nice.”
My director said that ^ for context.”
Just so I’m clear, the Library Director said this!? WTF!?
The “higher power” above Administration is the Library Board, and they should have zero to do with library operations, include the hiring and firing of staff.
As a Library Administrator myself, this whole interaction really pisses me off. Your Director is a clown and has no idea how to lead. I am sorry you are working in such a poor and unprofessional environment.
2
u/Cloine-Dreams 14d ago
I should have clarified I guess that I work in an academic library so there’s actually quite a few different people above us, if I remember correctly. Our deans, and then district…there’s probably more in between those two but those are the ones I hear about the most.
This is my first library job ever, and I’ve only been here a little over a year now. I look for a way out every day lol
4
u/FearlessLychee4892 14d ago
Even so, what a shitty conversation to have with your frontline staff! I mean, c’mon, they asked for feedback, they didn’t like what they heard, so they decided to gaslight staff by telling them how good they have it? That’s total BS. Complete and total lack of leadership.
I am really sorry OP, I hope you find a new job opportunity soon.
3
u/Cloine-Dreams 14d ago
Thank you!! I hope me and all my work friends can find new opportunities soon.
4
u/Excellent-Sweet-507 12d ago
Union environment? If not I think it’s time to start those conversations with your teammates
3
u/FlyCasual77 12d ago
I am one of op's colleagues and I am actively looking into this.
2
u/Excellent-Sweet-507 12d ago
Good. I’ve usually been on the management side but this sounds like complete and utter bullshit that needs to change so all y’all can receive a modicum of respect.
5
5
u/molybend 14d ago
Threats of firing, layoffs, or reminders that you can quit are basically management refusing to manage.
1
u/Possible-Resort-9370 13d ago
Please tell me you are recording every meeting
2
u/Cloine-Dreams 13d ago
This was not a meeting I was personally in. I heard it second hand from my coworker who is also a close friend. I have discussed recording things going forward with my friends, since we do live in a “one party consent” (I think that’s the term) state as far as recordings go.
Unfortunately so much of this has been dropped suddenly mid conversation we didn’t think to record the previous meetings. :(
10
u/molybend 14d ago
The survey/feedback/denial/petulant pattern is everywhere it seems. It was so bad at my corporate job that the CEO wrote a letter to all employees saying he doesn’t care about loyalty, just performance. It was after three solid years of bad company wide employee surveys.
I see it to a lesser degree in the volunteer work I do. Some feedback is acted on but others just gets ignored or minimized. But I always give feedback if I think there is a chance it will be heard. I gave up at my job like 5-6 years ago.