Serious Quandary so a Poll is in order….

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Sometimes people read what appears here.

Seriously, perhaps you could have raised this question without mentioning the specifics.

Now, my opinion is that all survey workers should explore all appropriate avenues to further their education, especially as it relates to a specific circumstance. I would raise questions here in a semi-blind way to solicit input. I would not call the three nearest competitors to the boss' firm and go into details while asking for their opinions.

You Should Have Asked A Professional You Knew

Without first asking a 1000 others.

Paul in PA

Thanks HC

I just re-read and did a quick edit.

> The question is: Is it ever acceptable to go to another trusted surveyor to get his opinion on something your boss is doing?

I think so. The day to day messages on this here board, there ought to be a few about bosses / management's actions. What's the difference?

> The question is: Is it ever acceptable to go to another trusted surveyor to get his opinion on something your boss is doing?

I'm assuming this concerns something survey related.

I really wouldn't have a problem with any of my employees asking another surveyor about any of my work. I would probably welcome someone scrutinizing my process. I'll explain to anyone what I've done AND why. Anyone that has the time to listen, anyway..

But what begs an answer is the question: "Why wouldn't the employee first ask his boss?"

> > The question is: Is it ever acceptable to go to another trusted surveyor to get his opinion on something your boss is doing?
>
> I'm assuming this concerns something survey related.
>
> I really wouldn't have a problem with any of my employees asking another surveyor about any of my work. I would probably welcome someone scrutinizing my process. I'll explain to anyone what I've done AND why. Anyone that has the time to listen, anyway..
>
> But what begs an answer is the question: "Why wouldn't the employee first ask his boss?"

Your post PC, reminds me of a story heard years ago.

A hockey coach was getting inducted in a hall of fame. He had a reputation for giving his tricks to anyone / everyone. When asked why he did not keep his secrets secrets (as many other coaches do) his answer was something along "there's only a very small percentage that will use them anyway" or something along that line.

And then I was enlightened.

We are in a profession of opinion. To develop ones own opinion, one must seek comment from others or information from all sorts of resources to properly develop an opinion one must feel confident in expressing.
Be careful discussing issues with other firms as they may take full advantage of your concerns and exploit a possible weakness your boss may have.
If your boss has a sharp pencil, get him another one as they do wear out.

SD

I believe that at some point every employee questions what their boss says, thinks and/or does.

From the time I started college, it has been beneficial being a member of an association of surveyors that share their experiences and openly discuss techniques on how to do most everything.

After over 40yrs, occasionally I will call an associate to ask what were they thinking or get their opinion about some situation.

The important thing is how you handle the actual wrong opinions your boss makes.

With my personal experience, I've found that most boss types do not like being told they are wrong or that there is a better way to accomplish the same thing. Especially by someone they consider being under and below their level of experience. Of course, most everyone of them were a member of the "in their opinion they were never wrong" group.

B-)

"Why wouldn't the employee first ask his boss?"

:good: :good:

If you don't have a relationship with your boss (or anyone else) that allows this it's past time to move on.

Awww. I missed the first post.

If it is a matter of money and if the boss did not properly estimate the project, then would the boss not eat it?

Is there a way to make the project work within the budget allotted? This is a chance to shine in the boss' eyes; point out the folly only if you have a solution to make it work. Otherwise ask your boss exactly how he wants the project completed and follow that to the letter.

I'd fire your ass for talking to a colleague of mine about what price I give on a project, unless you're a partner with me. You'd be scratching your unemployed ass.

> I'd fire your ass for talking to a colleague of mine about what price I give on a project, unless you're a partner with me. You'd be scratching your unemployed ass.

On my first read of that I thought you being a little harsh and/or extreme.
Many, many folks in the survey world knew me long before I took a job surveying so it wasn't at all unexpected that I would ask others about things going on. In fact I was asked to consult others knowing I had a broad range of contacts.

After re-reading a couple of times I keyed in on the word "price". Agreed. That would be big time no no. Having been subbed out to a few other firms a time or several, money/prices never were mentioned. Knowing the scope of some of those projects, I could only imagine they were getting some "big jack" out of it while I was still at my paultry $10/hr.

A couple of them wanted to hire me away and made good offers. But, I'm a loyal feller - probably to a fault.

Turn the question around. What if the shoe was on the other foot. How would you feel about it then?

> I'd fire your ass for talking to a colleague of mine about what price I give on a project, unless you're a partner with me. You'd be scratching your unemployed ass.

I doubt the original poster said to the surveyor across the street "hey my boss says this job is worth so many dollars, what do you think?"

Yeah...throw me in with the "not a good idea" crowd. I don't even think I would discuss survey/boundary differences you might have with him with other surveyors in addition to not discussing his bid procedures. For a boundary difference, I might talk to others about a theoretical problem similar to ones you have seen, and for price quoting you should go straight to the boss, and tell him your concerns. Tell him that you don't think you can do it to those standards in that time frame, and tell him why. He needs to absorb what it will take from you. (Your conversation doesn't have to be confrontational). If he wants to go to some of his peers and ask them what they thought, he could do that himself.

With ya on that one Jim. Unless you have a family business to take over, or a wifey with significant income - the only way to advance in this profession is always be ready to cut bait and move on. A boss that won't talk to you, or you're scared to talk to them with a legitimate question is not a boss and certainly not mentor material. He's a low baller (I just made that part up 😉 )

nope, not a good idea. I would react the same as Kris M reacted in his post. There are way to many factors to consider when preparing a proposal and you aren't aware of all that the "boss" took into consideration.

my 0.04' worth...

Dtp

James

He said this "I just worry that he has over-sharpened his pencil on this bid."

Couple that with wanting to talk to another surveyor about it, not no but hell no.

> If it is a matter of money and if the boss did not properly estimate the project, then would the boss not eat it?
Let us not lose sight of the fact that when the boss eats it, the employees get the crumbs.