Boss refuses to let employee do their job while she's on leave, company hires someone externally who has no idea what to do and boss ends up with a mountain of unfinished work: 'You are not capable of doing my job'

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Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Aug 17, 2024 1:00 PM EDT

It's nice to think that you're irreplaceable. It's that sense of security that lets you sleep at night, not worried that you'll lose your entire livelihood should your employer choose to replace you overnight. That confidence and knowledge can get you a long way and actually help you to be successful in your role. 

That said, change is inevitable, and it's almost certain that you'll eventually move on from your role or even need enough time off that someone needs to be seconded into it. Gatekeeping your job at this point isn't going to help anyone, including you, and it isn't a great idea unless you have a bone to pick with your employer. Sharing your knowledge and fostering collaboration in these circumstances can actually strengthen your position at your job and make you less likely to be replaced.

When this boss took three months off work, she swore that no one else would be able to do her job—she insisted upon it. So, despite having 28 years of relevant experience, this employee, her subordinate, was passed over for secondment to her role. So, the company hired an external temp to cover while the boss was off who had no idea how or what to do, meaning that the boss had a mountain of work to sift through when she returned… Handling a difficult situation like this with humor and patience can really help put people in their place. Maintaining self-worth in the name of subtle defiance. 

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  • 01
    LOGO -200 px - BANNER R500 "You are not capable of doing my job." "Ok."
    via Christina @ wocintechchat.com
  • 02
    You are not capable of doing my job. Ok. S ос So earlier this year my boss took three months off to have some surgery and recover. I have been working for 28 years in my field and I'm pretty capable of my job. My boss is a highly strung woman who believes only she is knows how to do anything. Before my boss took her extended leave I asked about filling in her role while she was on leave and she told me" You are not capable of doing my job. No one here is"
    via u/Milled_Oats
  • 03
    I asked again in an email and was told the same thing. I sent the email to all my work colleagues. When they advertised to fill in my boss's role no one applied. When management asked everyone why did no one apply, they all said they were not capable. There are over 40 staff who did not apply.
    via u/Milled_Oats
  • 04
    Someone from another site did apply. He had just completed his new graduate year. They appointed Bob who was 24. Bob emailed me after a week directing me to do all his work. There was multiple links and document, stock order, meeting agendas etc.
    via u/Milled_Oats
  • 05
    I replied I was happy to do this when I get a free moment. I did nothing. It was clear within a week that Bob had no idea how to be boss and things were going wrong. very quickly. I was called to a hr meeting. and asked why I wasn't doing Bobs work he instructed me to do. I informed him that I already have a full time job doing my work, how can I do Bobs as well. Secondly I showed the email that said no one is capable of doing my bosses job.
    via u/Milled_Oats
  • 06
    I was left alone after this. Bob basically did nothing for three months. My boss returned blowing up how much work she has to do. She tried to blame the workers on the ground for not being helpful enough. I sent her back her email where she stated that I nor any staff was capable of doing her work. We didn't see her leave her office for months.
    via u/Milled_Oats
  • 07
    Esau2020 2 days ago I've seen this story before. Not this exact one, but similar. Veronicah applies for a promotion, but they give the job to a new hire. Boss tells Veronicah to train the new hire. Veronicah says no: "If I'm not qualfied to get the job, I'm not qualified to train the person who is." I love reading these kind of stories.
    via u/Milled_Oats
  • 08
    • johndoesall 2 days ago My friend at a job search center was great as a trainer in techniques for interviews, developing resumes, learning about job searching. She had developed a lot of great material over the years. When a new position opened she applied but did not get it. It was given to a person from outside the company that had a four year degree. My friend did not have a 4 year degree.
    via u/Milled_Oats
  • 09
    They asked my friends boss if the could use the material my friend developed over the years. Her boss said, no. If she was not good enough to get the position then why would her material be good enough. Her boss had her back.
    via u/Milled_Oats
  • 10
    Stitch426 2 days ago A tale as old as time. Micromanaging bosses, Bobs gumming up the works, and email chains saving the day.
    via u/Milled_Oats
  • 11
    RSGK - 2 days ago People who think they're indispensable are always insufferable. Nobody in a workplace is indispensable.
    via u/Milled_Oats
  • 12
    roosenwalkner2020 1 day ago I got told one time that I'm not eligible to be promoted. I was the only one who knew how to do the work. Higher ups hired from outside the company. I got told it was my job to train. I was not qualified for the promotion which included training. I said to HR in a meeting that I won't do it without the pay or promotion. They said I would be written up. I excused myself to go to the bathroom, and went home. Rest of the day, kept getting emails and texts and calls. I ig
    via u/Milled_Oats
  • 13
    JustineDelarge - 2 days ago Hoist with her own petard! (I love it when I get to use this. expression.)
    via u/Milled_Oats
  • 14
    • grumblyoldman 2 days ago The most interesting part about this story is how the company can apparently last 3 months without anyone doing Boss's job, and nothing implodes or demands urgent action. Higher management is apparently satisfied to put Bob in the chair, where he does nothing for the whole time, so they were clearly more interested in having a strawman at the post than in actually getting anything productive done. Really makes one wonder why they're paying Boss a salary at all.
    via u/Milled_Oats
  • 15
    Unasked_for_advice 1 day ago • This seems to always work with micro-manager types, give them what they are asking for no more, no less. As they usually are asking for things that are stupid or a waste of time, document their orders to protect yourself. Over time their stupid decision ends up biting them in the
    via u/Milled_Oats

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