My husband has worked for a fairly high profile law firm for almost 10 years. He's survived many changes in management and even a major reorganization through bankruptcy. The firm is currently managed by a pilferer who pads his credentials as well as the budget to make himself look better.
Recently my husband had a heart attack while away on a very short business trip and his firm flew me and our son to the city where my husband was hospitalized. The firm paid for our hotel, meals and transportation. I wept at their generosity. Upon arrival at our destination, I was greeted by the firm's local office administrator who informed me that every single expense I incurred from the time I left our home until I stepped back through our door was to be paid by the firm, under direction of "Joe" (the firm's lead namesake and number one). I was told to enjoy the area attractions, go to the theater, etc., all compliments of "the firm". Of course, my directive was to do whatever my husband needed and I "enjoyed" two glasses of wine each night as a sleep aid.
During all the travel time and getting settled in, the office administrator called ne to tell me the "COO" was sending inaccurate broadcast email detailing the drama and implying his heroism at 'saving' my husband's life - when in fact he was in the elevator (returning from a business meeting) chatting with the emergency medical staff as they arrived at the firm to whisk my husband away to hospital. I tactfully corrected the "COO" misinformation via follow-up email, but he did not like watching his sails lose their wind.
In the end, the "COO" (such an appropriate acronym) critiqued my expenses, eliminating many reimbursements, delaying the reimbursement by 6 weeks and made several disparaging remarks to firm mid level management staff that I had stolen from the firm by purchasing two sets of return airline tickets (actually I filed a claim for reimbursement to the firm via travel insurance for the unneeded set of tickets, but "COO" was so busy finding another way to get in the lime-light that he didn't investigate the issue), the staff told me about his accusations so that I could clear up the confusion before it got back to "Joe". I did try to clafiry the situation to "Joe", but "COO" denied his remarks and embelished the reality of the issue to "Joe" by denial, blame shifting and propaganda. In the end, "Joe" 'sided' with "COO" and embarrassed my husband in a meeting.
Needless to say, all those staffers who called only called again to tell me they were not making it up. The only relief staff has is the running joke that "COO" has pictures of "Joe" with a dog.
My relief is that carma is real and they'll get theirs one day.
POST A COMMENTbrother from another mother(12/16/2005)
I think the lesson to be learned here is to never "correct" someone who has what you want or need. Especially not to "everyone" as I am guessing your reply was sent. You made him look like a fool (eventhough he was). In these situations I think its best to let people make fools of themselves on their own. People aren't dumb, they see right through it. But you called him out in front of everyone and he reacted like any "big man on campus" would and lashed out at you. I'm really sorry to hear this happened to you tho. Seems like a headache on top of a headache.
american made(12/16/2005)
I have to agree
mec(12/19/2005)
I didn't correct him eiher directly or indirectly, I shown the light on the man who really saved my husband's life and publicly thanked him.
cnubelevit(12/20/2005)
Too bad it didn't happen to Joe.
c - - (12/15/2005)
Do not be surprised if your COO turnes out to be a thief. Accusing others without reason at a time like this is a good indication that he is criminal of some kind.
Walk The Planks (12/15/2005)
Also, you had the "audacity" (in his mind, though) to correct his Emails. A COO like that lives for his career, and positive attention is what this man thrives on and needs. You would have done better by just looking the other way at his misstated Emails. You probably wouldn't have had the problems with the expenses, with the staff, and all of the other chaos, and your husband wouldn't have been embarrassed in the meeting. The COO would have been a happy-camper then. You stepped on his toes. It's all because you hurt his ego and didn't honor his "greatness."
mec (12/15/2005)
I'd love to have ignored his bs, but when they told me he would tell "Joe" about the double ticket thing, they said I had better get it straight before "COO" ruined my husband's credibility with "Joe". Bad advice.
SouthernProgrammer (12/16/2005)
Nasty situation, while I have never been in a horrible one like that I have worked in a place that had a major suckup like "COO" who embellished his accomplishments while trying to destroy other careers. In the end, and after many years, it was found that he was stealing and he was fired.
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