Would you tell your boss??

Ok, first of all please know that my boss is a real jerk who would take credit from you in a heartbeat and has had me waiting on a promotion that I earned almost 2 years ago.

I was approached today by someone in a higher position than my boss and asked to write an article for a newsletter he will be distributing to users of the building I'm in charge of. The article is to be technology related since I work for the tech dept.

Our department already writes an article for the main newsletter of the 'branch' of the company and we each take turns writing the article each month. So this would be similar, but because it is alot of the same audience and readership, the article will have to be different. This new publication will be smaller and on a more personal level....namely the topics will be strictly limited to matters that concern my particular building. So I wouldn't be speaking for the entire department in this article.

Now, I know I won't get any real trouble if I don't tell my boss. At most, it will piss him off alot and he'll tell me I overstepped my authority and I should have consulted him first. And, technically he probably couldn't even MAKE me stop writing for this publication. But... BOY OH BOY would I love to see his reaction when he sees my byline for the first time in that paper!!!

So... would you tell your boss? If I tell him, he will either say NO, he doesn't want our department to take on the 'extra work' as he would call it. Or, he will say the entire dept has a say and he will edit the article like he does for the other paper. This way, he has absolutely NO SAY in what I write.

As of right now, I accepted the job of writing the column without saying anything to him. My first article is due in 2 weeks!!

Don't tell your boss. I am learning that nice girls really don't get the corner office


Seriously, though, there is no reason why you need to run to your boss to have him steal credit anyway.

He may be pissed off but he may respect you more after. Good luck!

first of all CONGRATS. it is great that SOMEONE acknowledges that you are a hard and competent worker.

i don't see any reason why you should HAVE to tell your boss. if you want to mention it, that is one thing, but you don't need to ask for permission. since one of his superiors contacted YOU, i see no reason for your boss to accuse you of 'overstepping your authority .'

You were asked by a higher-up to do this .. so just do it.

If jerk confronts you .. that's your story .. higher-up asked, so you obliged. End of story!

And if jerk makes life more miserable for you .. go back to the higher-up and mention it diplomatically.

Good Luck
Go For it!!