People leave bosses, not companies, goes a popular saying. And at the top of the list of bosses that people are eager to run miles away from, is the credit-stealing boss -- the one who has no qualms about swiping the glory for your hard work from right under your nose. A majority of working professionals have had to deal with such unscrupulous individuals, and if you are facing one too, then here are some tips to handle him/ her.
Discuss it with your boss at the right moment
This is one of the most important, but toughest things to do. Like in comedies, timing is of the essence. Approach your supervisor when the time is ripe. Sumit Singh, an accountant in a consulting firm did just that. "When my boss was in a relatively good mood, and I saw that he wasn't burdened by any major office tension, I discussed my issue with him. I had to be very diplomatic, and instead of accusing him of stealing credit for my work, I asked him in what way I could get recognition for the good work I was doing. It took some time, but I think it helped to resolve my problem."
If you adopt this approach, remember to enumerate the points you want to put forth to your boss beforehand, and note them down in a notebook. You can refer to them during the discussion so that you don't get tongue-tied and forget your selling points.
Keep the higher-ups involved
Your boss' boss is one of the most important people that should know about your boss' wrong-doings. Therefore, whenever you send out any correspondence containing deliverables to your boss, mark a copy to his boss also.
Says Jatin, a senior IT professional: "It is useful to keep the higher-ups in the loop about the work you're doing, so that there's no confusion about who's going to take the credit when it is due."
Co-exist
"If you can't beat them, join them," says Mahesh, who is working as a management executive at an engineering firm. Mahesh came to an agreement with his boss, whereby the boss took credit for work that he had done, but rewarded him with good appraisals, reviews, pay hikes and promotions. This is about making your boss look good in front of his boss, which is always a positive thing!
Preserve all correspondence
One of the surest ways to safeguard your interests is to save all correspondence, including e-mails, couriers, CDs, etc. as a means of maintaining proof of your efforts. When the time comes and your boss refuses to acknowledge your contribution, you should be in a position to simply whip out the email he sent and dispatch it to all concerned.
Silence means consent -- be assertive
Remember that if you allow your boss to get away with stealing credit for your hard work, you will be pulled deeper into the sticky situation if you don't speak up.
Sunita Jain, working in an engineering firm, says, "If you don't speak your mind, it will be assumed that the boss's word is correct, and that he himself has done all the hard work, not you. If you're not assertive, you will be taken for a ride."
Don't do it yourself when promoted to higher positions
Chaitali narrates her horror experience: "Some years ago, I joined an advertising agency in Mumbai as a copywriter. I was put through a copy test, which I cleared. For one question of the test, I had to think up a continuing campaign to one which was being run for one of the agency's distinguished clients. I designed a new ad in similar style to their previous ads, as instructed."
"I was hired and on my first day, I was taken around and introduced to everyone. When I went to the studio, I saw an artist working on the ad I had conceived, and with the exact copy I had written. And the artist said to me, "This is the director's ad. Isn't he a genius?""
"I couldn't take any steps as I was too new. But my advice to others is to not do the same thing when you're successful and in power."
Whatever steps you take, do brace yourself to resolve the issue and bring closure to it. Otherwise, like your boss stealing credit, this problem will steal the joy out of your work.
