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Posted 8/3/2009 5:13 AM (GMT 0)
I feel trapped in a "darned if you do, darned if you don't" cycle.  It is a vicious cycle.  I am not really sure where to start.  I am dealing with my dad and his health issues.  He will be 81 this year.  At work, I feel like a volleyball between my bosses and the maintenance guy.  We had 2 water issues in 2 different apts. this past week.  I won't go into it, but I called one of the owners and told him about it.  He said to get the maintenance guy over to one of the apts. to deal with problem.  I relayed the message.  He said he could not do anything til the carpet was dry.  Makes sense to me.  I know he has been working really hard to get this one apt. ready.  New tenants were suppose to move in Sat. but it got delayed til Mon. as he ran into problems he was not anticipating.  We have another apt. that needs to be ready next Sat.  I do not see how it will happen but he says it will.  I am not sure if he is down one employee or not.  He has made mention he may be.  He has told me not to say anything to the owners as they tend to get upset easily.  I personally think they need to deal directly with the maintenance guy instead of going thru me.  But I can't tell them that.  If I say anything to the owners the maintenance guy gets upset but if I don't say anything when I should the owners get upset with me.  It is a no win situation.  To top it all off, after I got home on Sat. he called me and asked if I had lent out my keys to anyone.  I told him no and asked if something happened and he said no, he was just trying to account for all the keys.  That made me real suspicious.  It was such an odd question, but maybe I am just paranoid.  I do not know what to do.  Either way I handle a situation, I am likely to get yelled at.

I just no longer know what to do.

Chelsi

Posted 8/3/2009 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Chelsi.

Gee, that maintenance guy has been a real thorn in your side for quite some time now.  You are definately in a dilemma between him and your bosses/owners.  What worries me as well right now is that you will be blamed if those apartment are not ready on time (i.e. couldn't he get a wet/dry vac to suck the water out of those carpets so they would dry faster?).  And that seems to be the top priority.  The maintenance man will somehow blame you for it as I believe he has been bad-mouthing you to your bosses all along.  I would definately stay on top of this and let your bosses know of your concerns.  Tell them you will keep on the maintenance man though.  And yes, the maint. guy will probably be mad at you -- but he sounds like he always is anyway.  He doesn't sound like a person that you should be trusting or protecting.

Have you been keeping a file or some sort of documentation on him?  Is there anyway you could cover yourself by giving him his instructions in writing so that it will make it more difficult for him to not be honest with your employer?  By creating such a record over time, perhaps you can make a case for firing or replacing him.  With so many people unemployed right now, I'm sure you could find many that would do his job more efficiently and pleasantly.

And in regards to the keys, listen to your gut instincts.  It sounds like he could be up to something.  Perhaps you should be proactive and personally make sure that all the keys are accounted for.

Hang in there!

Cass

 

Posted 8/3/2009 8:55 AM (GMT 0)
chelsi, cass is spot on. i too would follow your gut on this one. all the best. jamie.

it is not fair you being the meat in the sandwhich. keep true to you. with loving compassion. jamie.

Posted 8/3/2009 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
I think that the maintainance guy should fix that leak no matter what goes on with the carpet. It could start drying on it's own in the meantime. So I would keep on him with that. No matter what other project he has going at the time. And I would let the owners know that you have alerted him of this. There is no reason that he shouldn't get that leak fixed. Otherwise the carpets will be ruined.

Just my .02 cents.

Best wishes,

Hugs, Karen
Posted 8/3/2009 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
I agree the Maintance Person should be doing his job and you have done yours by contacting the right person.  If he refuses to do his job then he should be reported to whomever he is supervised by.

Good luck.  You are right on track.

Gentle Hugs
Kitt

Posted 8/4/2009 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys!

The maintenance guy can be a real thorn in my side.   I have talked to the owners in the past.  He actually threatened to quit at a meeting.  I was not out there but was in my office with the door closed so I could hear somewhat.  I guess he walked out and she (owner) came out and got him and they got things worked out.  He is the first maintenance guy since I have been here that has really gotten anything done.  But you are right, I can't trust him.  This is where a major issue with me comes in.  I do not do well when I am being yelled at all the time.  I don't think he talks to my bosses.  I asked her (owner) one time if he said anything about me and she said no, he would not do that.  I am like family to the owners.   They have kinda of adopted me.  I think he tries to get and keep me on his side.  He is a contract employee so technically, he has more to worry about job wise than I do.  He says I worry too much and make everything a crisis.  The problem is, I don't know much about the things he does so when he explains something to me, I do not know if he is telling the truth or not.  I know how to do my job, although he does like to tell me how to do it sometimes.  I have taken a new practice in when ever I do an entry inspection with a new tenant, I am now taking pics.  I do it because as much as I would like to, I do not remember everything I see so when a tenant moves out, I may or may not remember if a spot was there when they moved in.  The maintenance guy asked me what I was doing and I told him.  I don't think he understands.

As far as the keys go, I do not know what was given to him although I know he has masters.  I just wish there was a way I could find out what was really going on.  He is not going to tell me.

Thanks for listening and your support!

Chelsi

Posted 8/4/2009 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Chelsi. 

It sounds like you are doing better - and I'm happy for you.  Obviously your bosses know that this maintenance man is "slightly" tempermental.  Thus, as long as you are doing your job, if something goes wrong than it sounds like they would believe you first.  My advice is still keep on documenting.  When you get status updates or explanations from him - keep a running log of his responses.  If for any reason you are unsure of what it means or even if he is lying you can still prove to your bosses that you have made every attempt to follow through.  Or if you feel uncomfortable with something you could send an email to them asking them if it sounds okay. 

As for him yelling at you -- that is totally unacceptable and I am sorry you have to deal with that.  Years ago I was also in that position too and I was sick to my stomach every day at work.  I ended up having to leave that position but I was very lucky in that his bosses believed me (I was a very good recordkeeper and was known for my honesty) and he did end up getting reprimanded for it.  If he continues in this manner or it gets even worst perhaps you could tell the owners about his behavior to you.  Or (and you probably don't want to hear this) you could keep another log about the abuse he put you through -- what he said and when.

All in all, do not lose confidence in yourself.  Keep doing what you are doing.  Taking pictures when people move in is an excellent idea - one that you should be proud of!!  It definately ends any arguements of what was and wasn't there in the beginning and could even save your bosses legal costs.  Also, don't feel you have to justify why you are doing things with the maintenance guy.  Just feel free to inform that you are simply doing your job.  The less details he has about you the better off you are.

Hang in there!

Cass

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