A gas station manager in Cebu province is seeking advice from Papa Joe about a difficult female supervisor hired by the owner. The manager, who wishes to remain anonymous, describes the supervisor as snobbish and uncommunicative with the pump boys, leading to operational failures. She fails to execute tasks such as meeting with staff to identify losses or cleaning the area, and reacts with anger when given instructions. The supervisor also posts cryptic messages on Facebook, knowing that colleagues can see them. Most troubling, she bypasses the manager and reports directly to the owner, undermining his authority. The manager fears that confronting her might cause problems, as she may have a special relationship with the owner.
Papa Joe's Advice
Papa Joe advises the manager that the situation is problematic because it violates workplace protocol. As the direct supervisor, the female supervisor should not bypass the manager. If she goes directly to the owner, it creates a system of favoritism. The manager should explain to the owner that his role is being undermined and that this will eventually affect the business operations. If the owner does not listen, the manager may have to wait for the consequences to unfold.
