How to work effectively with a difficult boss

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    Coping With Difficult Bosses

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    A little bit too nice of a boss

    Posted by: confused
    Date: 2/6/2008 12:19:33 AM

    Is there such a thing as having a too nice of boss and knowing that they will expect free/extra services in place for their kindness? If so, what is the best way to kindly decline their "over the top" offerings (like a car, trip to Vegas, gifts), and also what are ways to address the situation directly. I have my own web design business (2 person team) and recently accepted a "temporary position" for one of my clients who was in desperate need to fill an unexpected void in their small 5 person team. I have only worked there for a month, now putting in 9-10 hours a day 5 days a week, and they have been showering me with gifts, trip to vegas, insist that I drive their car, clothes, and other expensive gifts. In this time period they have implied that they wanted me to do the web work in-house, but it is less than 1/2 of my normal company hourly rate... but I feel bad telling invoicing them because of all of these things that they are doing for me and giving me. It is so absurd that even when I make it EXTREMELY clear that I do not need the car,clothes,gifts and that I would not be able at this time to take the trip, they insist on "making it work for me" no matter what excuse I give them. Sorry post is so long, but I really need advice.

    Reply from: goodboss
    Date: 2/6/2008 1:15:00 PM
    Reply: Continue invoicing this client at your usual rates. Stand firm and refuse all the gifts (and if you've already accepted some, then return them right away). Explain that you do not accept gifts from clients (any clients, not just this one), because to do so would be highly unethical and would compromise your professional relationships with your clients. If this client begs and pleads with you to accept the gifts, ask him/her if he/she really wants to compromise your ethics? Explain that if these gifts are being offered in the spirit of gratitude and friendship, then the intent is backfiring, because they're really just compromising your ehtics and making you feel bad about yourself. In addition, explain to the client that by law, you have to pay income tax on the value of these gifts, and you dislike having to be put in the position of paying more taxes than you'd planned to pay. Good luck. (PS Gifts like being taken out to lunch, occasional bouquets of flowers, and bottles - not cases! - of wine at Xmastime are perfectly acceptable. The general rule of thumb for the acceptance of gifts from employers or clients is that if the gift is consumable AND is worth less than $50, it's OK to accept it.)

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