Closing in on the Asshole

A few posts ago I told you about my dilemma: there’s a guy whose team sits right next to mine.  He is, by all accounts, an Asshole.  His staff hate him; his peers think he’s an idiot.  He is, in effect, the perfect example of a man who pretends his way through senior roles.  No doubt he thinks he’s incredibly competent, but it’s often only a matter of time before the facts catch up with them.

My dilemma is twofold: first of all, I am the most obvious person to take over his “portfolio” if he is fired.  Second, his staff come to me regularly raising issues about his behaviour.  There comes a point where you have to say something and can’t stay silent.  Then, once you’ve said something, there comes a time to shut up and let the situation play out.  I think I’m there right now.

There have been two new events:

1. The Asshole has hired another asshole.  He has given his senior government relations role to a guy I briefly worked with while I was contracting.  While I did all the heavy lifting, he swanned around and took all the credit.  Then I found out he was doing the same thing with everyone.  It didn’t take long before he got fired.

When his old boss found out we had hired him, she rang me straight away.  “What is the Company THINKING???” she asked.  Apparently she’s signed a Deed of Release, so she can’t possibly tell all.  However, she did indicate that there were ethical issues with the guy.  Hmmm.  What was I to do with this information?  Dammit, I had to say something.  So I told the head of our HR area about the call on a no-names basis, and suggested that our CEO discreetly call the CEO of the place the new asshole used to work.

The trick is that, this is it now.  I can’t raise another issue unless it’s a HUM DINGER.  No, really.  There’s a point at which I start to look obsesed.  I’m done, gotta sit back and hope the powers that be get it, and get it fast.

The good thing is, I’m not alone.

2. One of the Asshole’s staff came to see me last Friday.  She wasn’t sure about what to do, but needed to talk through some issues.  She has been with the Company for 10 years, and is hugely respected – she’s one of those people who just gets on with her job without any fuss.  So, anyhow, she reckons that the Asshole has a drinking problem!

Apparently, he is away from his office 70% of the time, and no-one knows where he is.  When he does turn up, usually after lunch, he smells of alcohol.  He is inconsistent and has taken to hanging around her (very attractive) assistant when she’s not there.

She said she thought she should go to the head of HR about it, and I agreed.  So she did.

This situation really can’t go on too much longer.  Our new CEO is starting in a couple of weeks.  I wonder if he will do something about it.