An employee at a company that prepares specialty meals to go sent me this question recently:

My boss and manager are pushovers when it comes to employees not doing what [my bosses] want. No one has been fired the whole time I have worked there. What do you suggest I do to encourage them to be more strict?

Reading this reminds me of how I felt when I had some short-term jobs in my early 20s. As an employee, one has limited influence on what the boss and manager do. That is the way it is.

I asked the employee whether they were providing that person with the same “pushover” type of management and resulting freedoms that this person sees extended to other workers. If so, I said, leave things the way they are–but at the same time, look for an even better place to work.

Then I added:

If you are truly providing a higher level of commitment than the other employees to doing what you are asked to do, then you might ask for a meeting with your manager.

Prepare for the meeting by noting two to three specific events that are not consistent with what you have been told by the manager and/or boss is the way it is supposed to be. Ask questions, followed by clarification questions, instead of focusing on telling your boss and/or manager the way you think the work environment is supposed to be.

If the meeting ends with no clear resolution, accept that you had the opportunity to offer your point of view. Then proceed to do the best you can as long as you work there, taking satisfaction in having had your opinion heard.

As an employee, one has limited opportunities to help their manager become more adept. I tried when I was an employee and was unsuccessful every time.

Do what you can. Deal with what is. Decide if it takes too much out of you to do so, and then look for a new job.

As a manager give your good employees more attention. The other employees will get the message that slacking will get them nowhere else but being unemployed.

Your good employees are looking for clarity and consistency. A good owner/boss/manager provides these unconsciously. Do you?