Your work is hers

Boss takes all the credit

I recently worked long and hard on a project under a tight deadline.  My boss presented the results to her boss without me present and without giving me credit.  The presentation went well, but I was given no acknowledgement.  This is one instance of many where she takes credit and never gives it.  Talking with her about this could go either way, so I'm not sure what to do.  Has anyone else dealt with this successfully?

NuKazoo readers shared their experiences:

Get out of that position!  In my experience, you can't change people.  Talk is just that.  I was in this situation and waited too long hoping, trying to make my boss appreciate me.  He moved up, I didn't.  In hindsight, I wish I had sought out opportunities with other managers who know how to motivate through acknowledgement.

-- Paula, IL

I interview many people and good leaders always say they give credit where credit is due and their role is to make their staff succeed.  You are working for a weak leader and she will be discovered.  HR should be a partner of yours.  Talk to HR about your concern within the context of your own career.  Ask for advice -- that is their job.  You may not change the situation but you will start the ball rolling and hopefully get good advice for yourself.

--Julie from Atlanta

Here’s another way to look at this.  Bosses who act like individual contributors will wind up as individual contributors – i.e., not bosses.  The higher up you go on the management ladder, the more effective you are by extolling the accomplishments of your subordinates.  After all, bosses are paid for getting the right things done through others, not claiming personal credit for their own output.  IMHO, if you report to someone who fails to give you credit for your work, you’re working for someone without much of a future in leadership.

--Karl from Florida

This is one situation that's easy to blow.  I've had something similar happen to me, and in hindsight I didn't handle it as well as I could have.  I misjudged my boss's willingness, and maybe ability, to change.  Also, I spoke up when I was livid.  Bad idea.  Always keep your cool.  You'll be glad you did.  If you're going to bring up the matter with the boss, ask for advice, don't give it.  Ask for advice on how to make yourself more visible so that you can "achieve your goal of . . ." yada yada.  A boss who's high on himself will react better to advice-giving than to criticism-taking.

-- Julie in Lake Zurich, IL

When I worked for a boss who wouldn't give me credit, I was only annoyed at first.  I even thought it was a little selfish of me.  It turned out to be a big problem because she went out of her way to prevent me from being known by others in the company, which made it hard for me to get promoted to another group in the company.  When  my work came up in discussions she minimized the importance of my contributions.  I don't know whether she was envious, or didn't want to lose a good employee.  I left the company and since have had good bosses who recognize my work and supported my advancement.  Beware! A bad boss is a career killer!  Move now!

-- Gregg in MI

Too many people sit back and take this unfairness, and really it's the company that suffers because the unrecognized employees perform at levels below their ability and eventually quit.  Much better to address this problem head-on.  First step is to analyze who has the problem.  Be honest.  Are you insecure and just need attention?  Is the boss's behavior really chronic and is she unfair in other ways also?  If it's really she who has the problem, talk with her about it.  When I was in your situation I was advised to talk to HR to get a neutral third-party to mediate.  Bad idea.  She felt ambushed.   Express your POV to the boss herself and make sure to site specifics, not generalities.  Put it in the context of helping you, not bashing her.  Later, when you've made your point, set up a meeting with HR to discuss "suggested topic for the next boss's off-site -- motivating employees through positive feedback and upward visibility."

-- Dean in Orlando

In my experience, the situation you describe isn't unusual and it's not necessarily a problem.  You haven't stated whether you've missed out on anything due to your boss taking credit for your work.  Any grand-boss knows it's the subordinates who do the work.  Does your boss have a track record of not giving you proper compensation and advancement?  Is she generally unfair?  If there's no track record, cool it til there's more evidence.  In the meantime, work toward gaining visibility outside your group, e.g. volunteer for cross-departmental projects, etc.

-- Mel, PA

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