Going Home Again

As I mentioned at the end of the last entry, Gerri and I decided it was time to come home. I'll try to explain some of our reasoning.

I have been unable understand the reporting structure since I arrived. I have always been told that I was the manager and Ben worked for me. I asked that specific question last week and was again told I was Ben's supervisor. Ben didn't see it that way and Joe was never able to just say it our loud where everyone could hear it. I think he was telling me one thing and Ben another.

I don't think I ever mentioned it but Henry, our former divemaster, left because he could not get along with Ben. Ben is highly critical of everyone's work almost daily and his way of letting you know that irritates everyone. Henry came back while Joe was here to explain and I was able to sit in on the conversation. Joe listened but when Henry left Joe didn't seem to care and believed other issues were involved.

I did my best to explain that Ben was excellent with customers and put on a great show of teamwork when the boss was around. I also said that didn't happen when Joe wasn't there. I'm sure Joe felt I was exaggerating at best. I gave several specific examples but Joe never discussed any of them with Ben. Gerri and I both had the feeling Joe wanted to make the arrangement work regardless of what I and others said. Joe felt the entire problem was a communication issue bewteen Ben and myself.

After a frustrating meeting with Joe and his wife late Friday night, all of us met with Ben. That meeting did not go well and Joe provided no support to me. Gerri and I stayed up late and decided it was time for me to come home. We decided to sleep on it for a couple days. We decided I would leave on June 30th giving Joe 7 weeks to get things organized.

Early Sunday morning Ben indicated he and Joe had met on Saturday and made some additional decisions regarding part time staffing. Gerri and I were furious that I had not been included. We changed our departure date to June 2nd still leaving 3 weeks.

On Sunday, I wrote a resignation letter to Joe outlining my reasons for leaving. He called me late Sunday to accept but he was very upset. He asked me to leave on May 19th which I agreed to do.

Many other factors contributed to our decision. Joe owes me more than $1200 not including this months pay. He is out of money and the business is not doing well at all. He admitted that he has no emergency funds and nothing set aside for boat repairs or a new truck. The boat and truck are both in very poor condition.

More later I hope.