Ask HN: What is wrong with my boss?

[TrickedOut]

Not sure if this is a question or a rant, but here goes:

My boss (CEO of 5-person startup) has convinced the board that he doesn't need to work full-time on our startup. He got himself a day-job, shows up to our office for 1hr a day, at an unspecified time in the evening, and expects us to be there waiting for him. Unfortunately this means we cant use public transportation as there are no late options. So we're spending a fortune on cars. Worse, we do not think there is a future for this company, especially as the CEO isn't hustling.

When complaining, he says, "if you don't like it, just quit." Nice, easy to say, except we just quit our previous job, moved cities, and it is not so easy to just find another job.

When asking about upcoming sales, instead of answering the question directly, he just provides vague tangential answers "we're integrating with XYZ company, it is the biggest ABC in DEF."

What do I do? Would it be unethical to even the scales...perhaps we could all get day-jobs which we work on during work hours?

[kafkaesq]

When complaining, he says, "if you don't like it, just quit."

He's not only firmly placed himself into asshole territory, with that statement -- he's given you as clear a hint as he can possibly give that he doesn't believe the company has any future, either -- and is essentially trudging on in "zombie mode" for a few more weeks (or at most months). Until it is either acquired or dissolved.

That said -- and being short on time as I write this: if (as I'm suspecting is most likely the case) financial constraints prevent you from simply walking out the door (even before finding another job), then you can at least look into the contract as to whether you are required to be be on the premises "as directed by the company", or are required to work more than the usual 40 hours a week, or similar language.

If not -- the you have every right to tell this guy that it's simply not in your contract to work that many hours, or to be in the office that late.

But tread carefully please, and definitely consult a lawyer before deciding on any course of action.

[edoceo]

Your current spot is fuct. I'm looking for coders. I'm an asshole too. I show up at 7am, leave at 7pm and expect you to be available at least 35h/wk. Don't worry about public transit cause you can work from home. There are 100s of other employers like me out there in case I'm too crazy/stupid.

In short. F that place, your "leader" is clearly not one.

[JakDrako]

When's he's not there, use to time to find a better job and leave.

[kafkaesq]

Exactly. When things are this fucked up at a company, you are under no obligation whatsoever to perform adequately, or act ethically otherwise (with regard to normal strictures against, say, taking phone calls or long "lunch breaks" to look for work on company time).

You'll probably want to cover your ass at least, and not be too obvious about it. But bottom line, you owe nothing to them by this point -- and you owe it to yourself to find yourself a better future, as soon as you possibly can.

Good luck.

[muzani]

Can you just not do work or do it really half assed?

You can consider it like a sabbatical. Spend your months "training" yourself. Rewrite the code in a new language. Refactor the existing code and optimize it. You're still doing work.

It sounds like you have an open playground and even get paid on the side.

[TrickedOut]

OP here. Cant leave for another 10months, or I owe back headhunter the finding fee he got.

[greenyoda]

No ethical headhunter would make a deal like this. Recruiting costs should be the responsibility of the employer, with the implicit understanding that not all employees will stick around (especially if they're abused), and the employer bears that risk.

You might want to consult a lawyer to find out if this kind of contract is legal or enforceable in your state.

[kafkaesq]

Agreed -- definitely consult a lawyer.

[smt88]

I'm not a lawyer and can't give you legal advice, but I'm almost 100% sure that what you're describing is illegal. Many lawyers will do a free consult to make sure that the case is worth taking, and you can take advantage of that to feel this out.

[onion2k]

What happens if you get fired?

[TrickedOut]

That is not a bad idea actually. As long as we got a package or something. We moved to this small city in the hopes of joining this amazing startup working with amazing technology. The downside of leaving is multifold: 1. Headhunter wants his commission back 2. We are in a small city, so interviewing is difficult, may not be able to get a job until i move to a normal city like SF or Austin or NY and start interviewing/networking on the ground. 3. We moved to this new city, need to wait until June when schoolyear is over.

[onion2k]

What do I do? Would it be unethical to even the scales...perhaps we could all get day-jobs which we work on during work hours?

How is that an option if "Just quit and get a different job" isn't?

[TrickedOut]

Several reasons for not leaving yet: 1. Headhunter wants his commission back (as other posters have noted, this may be illegal. Never crossed my mind!)

2. We moved to this new city, need to wait until June when school year is over.

3. We are in a small city, so interviewing is difficult, may not be able to get a job until i move to a sizeable city like SF or Austin or NY and start interviewing/networking on the ground.

[sharemywin]

sound like he already sold the company.

[TrickedOut]

Wouldn't the new owner show some sense of stewardship?

[LeoSolaris]

He exists.