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How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?
2

How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

(OP)
I did some destructive testing on a building and found some non-conforming construction.  There were no weep holes or base flashing at the bottom of a brick veneer exterior wall.  The California Building Code (based on UBC) clearly states that weep holes and base flashing are to be installed at the first course of masonry above grade.  The seller's expert didn't catch it although they were looking at the same opening I was.  All I know about the other consultant is that he graduated from Dominican in San Rafael, CA, a liberal arts school.  I have friends who went to Dominican, but they have degrees in family therapy, nursing and ballet, not engineering or architecture since the school has no curriculum for those degrees.

The seller's consultant threw a hissy fit about the flashing issue with my boss on a conference call when I was not present.  My boss caved during a conference call, then called to try to convince me to change my report and say that it is acceptable construction.  I said as a licensed architect, could not ethically say something that is in direct violation of the building code is OK without a written variance from the building official having jurisdiction.

I am to meet all the parties at the site on Monday morning.  My boss said that when I see what they are talking about, I will change my mind and kind of implied my continued employment was at stake.  He said he wants the purchaser to buy the building so that the firm gets the remediation work where he can recoup some lost fee.  I told him it was not my mind that needed changing.  They need to run it by the building official.  My quandary is that I am reluctant to openly challenge my boss in front of the other consultant and his Client, the mayor of the city that owns the building.  I'm just not sure what more I can say, except ask the other consultant if he could do a lovely pirouette for me.

"Gorgeous hair is the best revenge."  Ivana Trump

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Have a large print version of the code ready, duly highlighted with big red arrows.  A few excerpts from good ol' Websters may also help.

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Cass...tough position, but stick it through.  If you're right, which we presume, then all will benefit (ultimately).  The liberal arts guy can't sustain a good technical argument, so I agree with TheTick...do your homework and bring it with you.

Good luck.

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

The structural wizards here are always nattering on about how they sandwich masonry between steel channels for the purpose of installing a lintel so they can knock out a door or window opening.

All you have to do is get your own structural wizards to propose something similar, but more ambitious, to hold up the entire wall while the base course is removed and replaced with what should have been there in the first place.

... as part of the remediation, of course.  Including labor for you to supervise, at a respectful distance.

Your covering memo will need to quote in full the appropriate sections of the Code, of course.

  

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Whenever I have to point out a problem, I always try to have one or more solutions that I can bring up as well, and estimated costs/impacts for those solutions. My input is usually received better - there may be grumbling, but tantrums are usually avoided.  

xnuke
"Live and act within the limit of your knowledge and keep expanding it to the limit of your life." Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged.
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RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

A clear violation of not only your building code, but of long established good practice.  Tell it like it is.  Your boss will either support you or he won't.  If not, he is a fool.  Sorry you are in this position, but you have no choice.

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Maybe worth running the detail pass the Structural engineering other technical forum, just to make sure that all opinions thus the ammo is collected.

Looking at this from a different perspective, if I wanted to make an over-riding call on one of my employees reports (which would never happen unless in the extreme).  I would rewrite the report, and sign the report myself. It is after all my business and my name that runs on the business, your boss should be willing to do the same, while it does compromise you ethically, you can cover this by a email to your boss stating the facts. Then all you have to do is decide if it is worth working for this prick.   
 

ANY FOOL CAN DESIGN A STRUCTURE. IT TAKES AN ENGINEER TO DESIGN A CONNECTION."
 

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Cass...I re-read your post.  Looks like you're a victim of the "Good Ol' Boys" network.  The seller is the mayor/city...he knows the building official...probably controls his destiny.

I assume this was a Property Condition Assessment for the real estate transaction.  If done in accordance with ASTM E2018, the other consultant doesn't meet the qualifications if your understanding of his qualifications is correct.  Further, the city has liability for selling a building with known code and construction defects.  Point out to your client that if he sells the building in 5 years, someone else will find these defects and he'll be responsible to repair or negotiate a price reduction.  This is a liability shift that your client shouldn't bear without adequate compensation (such as a reduction in the selling price to effect the repairs).

I get the impression that perhaps your boss is not a licensed engineer or architect.  While you are not required to be an advocate for your client, you are required to protect your client from the expense of a repair that they should not have to bear.  Your boss wants to benefit from that expense in the remediation.  That's unethical, and for you illegal.

I agree with hokie66....do it, do it professionally and with all your ducks in a row, explaining carefully to all concerned that it is necessary and legally required.  You don't have to blindside your boss, but you do need to make it clear to him what you can or cannot do as a licensed professional.

Good luck.  Let us know what happens.

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Oh dear, Cass, where do you find these bosses?
And it isn't just that your boss is wrong but that he has gone on record (?) as saying a code violation is OK. Verbally, anyway but he can retract this saying that now he has taken advice, he has been made aware of some other issues. You may need to feed him these lines and about how he isn't serving the clients best interests by not being through.

He needs to understand that part of your job is protecting his a*** and that you need his co-operation to do that.

But as you say, the problem is how to handle it.

Objectives:
  • you will not be party to endorsing a code violation
  • you want to keep your job
  • You need to protect your boss from himself (this goes to the previous point)
  • The client must accept that there is a code violation and that something must be done -  Rowingengineer and others have made good suggestions, but perhaps you need to address the issue of who should pay and suggest that the original violator may need to make good?
  • you need to preserve your professional integrity
OK, this isn't about code but people and psychology.

We can draw on several sources for inspiration including "yes Minister" (the "Brave decision" gambit) and "Lateral Thinking" by Edward De  Bono (set out your objectives and structure the solution to meet them).

The boss is backing the sellers specialist rather than his own. He needs to see this and that it isn't in his best interests.

He is motivated by money.
So instead of him looking at the pot of gold he thinks he stands to win by ignoring the code violation, he need to see the even bigger pot of gold he might have to shell out if this ends in litigation further down the line - a suit brought by anyone who sees this as a way to place blame with your boss rather than the client or the original contractor.

This is where an application of the "how to get the decision you want" principle (as explained by Sir Humphrey Appleby in "Yes Minister") is called for.
(Google "Brave decision yes minister").

You don't challenge the boss's decision, you call it a brave decision. (Choose suitable words)
But you will need to point out that tehre is no way your report can overlook the code violation - but, as RowEng suggests, he should write the letter, but that he should be careful to limit his liability as this could be seen as a waiver(?) indemnifying the client against any subsequent damages. This is, in effect, what they are asking for; you or your boss to take liability and protect them from liability.
Put that way it might give him pause for thought.

So the trick is to suggest to you boss that this is a brave or courageous decision in the light of possible future litigation by anyone down the line.

A good idea at this point might be to ask him if he has consulted his legal advisor on his exposure if this goes pear shaped at some future date and if the lawyer has suggested any terms that need to be included to avoid having to shell out cash in future.

It is tempting to want undermine the Dom Grads position; some asides about how you hadn't realised what good professionals liberal arts colleges produce.... but a better way is to suggest that he should put his money where his mouth is (make it the Dom Grads problem) by requesting that if he thinks this is OK, apparently based on superior knowledge and education (Ha Ha), that he should be asked to make a written declaration/proposal/requested action "for the record" (your boss ought to think this is a good idea to cover his own a****) and at this point your liberal arts graduate ought to get nervous and start backtracking.
Any weakness on the part of the Dom Grad is to be exploited as it ought to make your boss nervous.

Verbal conversations are all very well, but come court time you need it in writing because they have a strange habit of being remembered wrong.


 

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

(OP)
I did a lot of research after my investigation on a related topic, installing brick below grade.  As Hokie points out, base flashing and weeps at the bottom of a cavity wall is a long, long established common practice recommended by every single industry group having anything to do with masonry.  I walked in to my office the next day with a stack of published articles and details an inch thick from the Brick Industry Association, The Masonry Advisory Council, the Calif. Conference of Masonry Contractors and even the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association as well as several individual state guidelines, every single one of them showing base flashing and weeps along with recommendations on how to design brick below grade.  It's such a common practice that omitting those two things is not even contemplated.  And the repair I proposed is very similar to what MikeH is suggesting.  In the past I have had contractors use angle iron placed into the bed joint of the brick you want to support and use expansion anchors through the angle at every third head joint into the sheathing to temporarily support the brick while the courses below are repaired, and flashing installed.  

The problem is that for other reasons, my boss originally proposed tearing down the entire wall, which is unnecessary overkill.  The seller's consultant reacted in opposition to an outrageous proposal with an outrageous proposal of his own, do nothing.  And both are entrenched in their positions that are rooted in ego, not good construction practice.

Ron, I was assigned this project for destructive testing after a preliminary investigation had been done and recommendations made.  I would assume that the buyer has had a comprehensive pre-purchase survey done and that report most likely recommended a more detailed inspection of the exterior walls.  This is where my firm comes in.  My boss , who is a licensed architect, and another employee did a moisture survey and poked a couple of holes and found some bad stuff and recommended a more comprehensive investigation that included removing portions of the walls.  That's what I did.  But I like your point about the purchaser being responsible in the future for the base flashing.  I will definitely bring that up on Monday.  It might make them reconsider.  I have no choice but to stick to my position.  As far as I'm concerned, there is no gray area here.  I'm just a little shell-shocked after my office abruptly fired their accountant on Friday.  She sat next to me, went to lunch with the boss to discuss some accounting principles/problems and never came back.  I fear a similar fate.

jmw, I'll spend some time looking at that, thanks.

"Gorgeous hair is the best revenge."  Ivana Trump

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Cass...what your research and common sense tell you is that now you can moderate your boss's original position to allow him to save face.  You're offering a middle ground solution that would be in everyone's best interest.

Sounds like you did a good job with the homework!  Way to go.

I hated homework in school.  Now I do it routinely...and actually enjoy most of it!

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

No doubt you are right.  Now, how to deal with that fact without losing your job or denting your career....

Ultimately, your boss is more interested in saving face than in safety.  Whatever resolution comes about needs to take that into account.

More than once in my career, I have had to remind employers that they hired an engineer, not a designer.  I was hired to be an engineer, not a yes man.  I have obligations to my profession and the public that supersede any to my employer.

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Cass ... Sounds like there's more going on (down) at that company than meets the eye. I would contact the fired accountant to get her take on things.

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Quote (casseopeia):

I'm just a little shell-shocked after my office abruptly fired their accountant on Friday.  She sat next to me, went to lunch with the boss to discuss some accounting principles/problems and never came back.
Uhhhhh, I would be worried about any company that cans their accountant for voicing concerns over accounting principles/problems.

I know times are tough for you right now, but maybe you want to start looking for other employment options before something goes up in flames there.

Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

I agree with CBL here.  Good point CBL.

If the boss is having money problems, he will "follow the money here" to solve that problem.  He will want to get paid by his client to solve his problem short term.  Ignoring your report recommendation creates a long term problem that may never rear its ugly head.  His choice I guess...

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto:  KISS
Motivation:  Don't ask

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?


"Now, how to deal with that fact without losing your job or denting your career...."
TheTick

"If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters."
Alan K. Simpson

 

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

I would just caution not to damage your reputation or the ability to retain your license to keep a job that seems shakey anyway.

No job bur still with reputation and license is better than no job, no license, being part of a failed company and maybe being unfavorably involved in litigation in the future.

Having said that, I think voice concerns that indicate you wish to protect your boss from litigation rather than you are questioning his ethics or competence. Do it tactfully so he can save face. Offer compromises that do meet codes and maybe bring more work in for this project. LET IT BE HIS IDEA.

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES SIGN A FALSE OR FRAUDULENT DOCUMENT.

 

Regards
Pat
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RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Now, I think I understand where the boss is coming from.

If you jack up the wall and replace the bottom, and everything comes out fine, that would be a good outcome, and everyone would be happy, but the procedure includes some risk.

The risk amounts to this:
If you jack up the wall to replace the bottom, and everything goes sideways, the new replacement wall gets built at your expense.

Perhaps the boss is thinking that his way is more conservative, as in:
If you don't propose to jack up the wall and replace the bottom, the new replacement wall gets built at the customer's expense.

 

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Casse,
Be true to yourself and the public. Have an open mind and provide suggestions to your boss to rectify this conflict.  Pressure does funny things to people.

I suggest that you meet with your boss prior to the meeting and educate him.  It would be embarrassing to his company to be in disagreement with your boss in front of the client.  Don't let him intimidate you, which is a tactic that bullies use to make people cave.  Stand strong.  Listen to your gut you will know what is right.

Please keep us updated on how it worked out.

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Mike is once again correct.

You should suggest several fixes including building a new wall with various risks listed and let them argue price vs risk to who for each option.

Regards
Pat
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RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

At the risk of bitting off more than I can chew with Hokie and yourself, I would like to point out that weep holes while required by many codes, there are alternative solutions that are just as justifiable, if a certain situation is present.

In some areas of the world, the brick mason will drain the wall cavity to the foundation's concrete blocks, which then drains to the foundation's interior drainage system. This is recommended practice when dealing with salt attack and rising damp issues; with these systems it is often necessary to have an active water management system. If you have a suspended timber internal floor, you now have breeze blocks and no weep holes. There are of course move situations than I mention, aka party walls, port buildings, flood areas, carports ect.  

In my opinion if the building is not experiencing high moisture levels at the outside walls and there are no signs of water entry to the underside, top and ends of the floor system, there is no need to fix a problem that does not exist.

While the subject of weep holes would be highlighted in my report I would also mention the mitigating circumstances, thus not condemning the building on an issue that could be a non-issue. This would particularly be the case if the environment of the city was one that didn't have high moisture contents in the air.

However while all these technical issues could or could not be present, I still think there is a problem with the bosses actions and also the possible situation.  
 

ANY FOOL CAN DESIGN A STRUCTURE. IT TAKES AN ENGINEER TO DESIGN A CONNECTION."
 

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

(OP)
I opened up the veneer walls and there was no indication that there is a designed water management system.  The building paper stops at the bottom of the OSB sheathing, the brick veneer continues down 2-3 courses and is supported by 4" CMU that is set on the footing.  I suppose one could argue that the water that flows down the building paper and fills the space between the CMU and cast-in-place concrete stem wall where it eventually seeps through holes and cracks in the concrete block and is absorbed into the ground.  The question is, do you want to be the licensed professional that says that this is OK, in opposition to historical convention and every industry and technical resource?  I'd also be cautious when using the 'no damage has occurred yet' argument because there are plenty of examples of similar conditions that eventually cause damage.  It's like trying to argue against putting in fire sprinklers where required because the building has not burned down yet.

"Gorgeous hair is the best revenge."  Ivana Trump

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

"She ain't blowed up yet." should be called the NASA defense.

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Geez, Cass...this is a wood frame building with no through-wall flashing and weepholes?  Did you see and wood rot?

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Whatever else, you and boss need to be on same page before sitting with client.  Do NOT put him on the spot, even if you are right.  That sort of thing can haunt a career for years.

If you can't agree beforehand, don't be there.

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

PS:
The Yes minister method for influencing decisions is quoted here:

Quote:


Sir Humphrey: There are four words you have to work into a proposal if you want a Minister to accept it.
Sir Frank: Quick, simple, popular, cheap. And equally there are four words to be included in a proposal if you want it thrown out.
Sir Humphrey: Complicated, lengthy, expensive, controversial. And if you want to be really sure that the Minister doesn't accept it you must say the decision is courageous.
Bernard: And that's worse than controversial?
Sir Humphrey: (laughs) Controversial only means this will lose you votes, courageous means this will lose you the election.
This is from the episode "The Right to know" which can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=yes+minister+the+right+to+know&aq=f
 

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

(OP)
Ron, places where I opened up the stucco, the OSB sheathing was entirely gone and decay starting on the framing.  I pulled out the decayed OSB with my gloved hand, no tools required, and it's only a 5-6 yo building.

 

"Gorgeous hair is the best revenge."  Ivana Trump

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Case made.  You are right.  Your boss and the seller's inspector are wrong.  The buyer now has a choice...buy a building needing expensive repairs, or pass.

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Agree with Hokie here, looks like you have all your ducks in a row.

In response to your question above, if no damage was present I would have recommended an inspection schedule be developed, aka simlar to your fire system, don't need to wet the building all the time just to stop a freak fire.  

ANY FOOL CAN DESIGN A STRUCTURE. IT TAKES AN ENGINEER TO DESIGN A CONNECTION."
 

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Cass...suspected same...seen it many times.  Go kick some a$$.

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

I think this is one of those things that seems to have been blown out of proportion.

Weep holes are easy to install with the right drill.

By base flashing, I assume this is the same as a damp proof course? If so, then there are liquid injection systems that can achieve the same results without having to remove any bricks (simply drill a few holes with the same drill as above).

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

csd72...for brick veneer, there is a "through-wall" flashing required in addition to waterproofing of the exterior face of the inner wall.  The waterproofing sheds the bulk water and condensate, which then collects on the "through-wall" flashing, which in turn directs the water to the weeps.

For stucco, there is a positive weep required at the base of the wall to direct water from the interior water plane (there is no cavity), to the outside.

There are several ways that the intent of a through wall flashing can be accomplished, but injection systems usually don't work well.  As for the stucco condition, it is likely there is a flashing breach and the water resistive barrier is improperly lapped.  Further, there is usually a lack of proper tie-in with the flashings and water resistive barrier....all leading to structural deterioration and huge expense for remediation.  The only reasonable way to remediate such stucco deficiencies is to remove the stucco, repair the damage, restore the barrier and re-apply stucco properly.

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Anxiously awaiting the finale to this thread.


So here's a side question -

Cass's employer is laying folks off, presumably due to financial constraints, but also gave Cass fairly explicit instructions to violate codes of ethics.  If Cass gets laid off next, does Cass have a case against his (her?) employer for wrongful termination?

 

Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East - http://www.campbellcivil.com

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Don't think such thoughts, think positive warm huggy happy thoughts about how her boss will see the light and give her a job for life.

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

And Attila the Hun was just a nice gentle family man who was misunderstood.

Seriously I am sad to say, I think the boss here might have an agenda and deliberately hired a vulnerable scape goat. Call me cynical or hard nosed, but I do have some real concerns about this.

Regards
Pat
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RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Pat...your cynicism is usually well placed...so don't let it drop off.  I agree...the boss has something else that isn't apparent...yet.

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Yes, it seems like.
But I didn't want to be the one to suggest to Cass that her boss might be a bottom feeder.
He could be trying to clean up as much as he can, no questions asked, and then do a canoe-man and hide out in Panama.

(Cass, maybe we all should get together around a drink and discuss you choices in bosses. It certainly does look like this guy is trying to deal from the bottom.)

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

(OP)
Although I do not think this is completely over, it looks as if I dodged a bullet for now.  Over the weekend there was apparently a whole lot of sabre rattling and grandstanding.  I must have been copied on 15-20 emails.  The focus of the argument appears to have shifted to the scope of the stucco removal.  We have about 75% removal with the suggestion that the purchaser might be better off just to remove it all.  The seller's consultant had all kinds if criticism about my investigation, but was not able to provide any scope of his own.  

The meeting was called off for today.  The purchaser sent an email to the seller's consultant suggesting that he (our purchaser) hire the seller's consultant to do the repair scope drawings that he (the seller's consultant) suggested.  The construction arm of the seller's consultant's firm would then repair the building and provide a guarantee for the term our purchaser owned the building.  I understood that to be our Client calling the other consultant's bluff, or throwing down a gauntlet of sorts.

But it appears that is not the case.  The purchaser seems to be going this route despite the appearance of conflict of interest, the seller's consultant working for both the seller and the purchaser.  My boss became very suspicious of the whole thing today and gracefully backed out of continuing with  the investigation and the design of the repair documents.  He suggested to our client that he should hire Dominican Boy, but also recommended getting a third party peer review.  Later, my boss tried to convince me that the lack of through wall flashing at the base of the wall is OK, but now that I don't have to put that in a report, I just nodded my head and told him that i could see his logic.  I also praised him for a brave decision to back out of what it turning into a very shady deal.

I attached part of my field sketch of the condition.  I am still not convinced that this is a good detail for a masonry cavity wall.  But what do I know.  Half of my family has only been brick and stone masons for generations.  Hopefully I have not yet tarnished myself as a trouble maker.

"Gorgeous hair is the best revenge."  Ivana Trump

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

I would still contact the ex-accountant.

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Poor detail all around.  External pavement too high, cavity below ground not filled, not through wall flashing where needed.

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Quote:

I also praised him for a brave decision to back out of what it turning into a very shady deal.
No, no, no, Cass.
Please revisit the Yes Minister reference.

If you tell him he is being brave to take this decision, you make him nervous about it and he will worry he is taking a risk.
 
You should be saying this is the right decision and the safest thing to do with the least financial risk. Make him feel comfortable with it.
You need to say that it would take a braver more foolhardy person than you to not only overlook a code violation but put yourself on record as endorsing it like the Dom boy suggests.
You don't need to remind the boss that he was going to ask you to do this, but this is a good opportunity to make the boss subliminally aware that you would have refused to act that way. he will think twice next time anyway, his dabbling with the dark side nearly got him his fingers burnt and has certainly boosted his blood pressure.

You now don't need to trash the Dom Boy. He has done a nice job of showing himself up but you can certainly add fuel to the fire, it won't hurt to trash the guy as much as you can because the more odorous you make him seem the more tainted his ideas and you need your boss to be imprinted with the association between this guy and bad ideas.

I wonder how long before Dom Guy's lack of ethics gets him his license suspended?
 

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Cass...I've done quite a bit of stucco remediation design.  Partial removal of stucco on wood frame is problematic.  Tieing back to existing stucco is difficult and should only be done at a logical termination such as a corner condition.

The most common tie-in difficulty is because the contractors inevitably use paper-backed lath and they put too many fasteners in it (yes...too many).  The paper is so thin that it doesn't allow sliding another membrane under it to achieve a vertical joint.  Horizontal joints are even worse and more critical from a waterproofing standpoint.

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

I would not suggest trashing Dom Boy. It is just like American politics, eh.  Cass's merit and position will stand on their own.  You do not have to agree with Dom Boy and you can make that known in a respectful professional manner.  Besides the boss and purchaser is staring to get a whiff of Dom Boy.

I appreciate how the Yes Minister concept was put into context.  Thank You.  I only hope I can remember it at the appropriate time when I need to use it.   
 

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Van, you are probably right and I suggest this not for the purpose of getting at Dom Boy publicly but to educate the boss.
He has to learn to trust his own specialist.
Cass has to get him trained or this behaviour will be repeated more often than Star Trek.

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

Nice handwriting, Cass :)  Legible... more than I can say for many I come across...

Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

RE: How do you tell your boss he's wrong without making it sound that way?

(OP)

jmw,  No doubt I need to work on my diplomatic skills.  At least I didn't say what I was thinking.  My boss said one of the reasons he wanted to pull out of the project is that he felt disrespected by the Client because of his refusal to take his advice about the stucco, no matter how many good arguments he had to remove all of it.  I thought, 'yeah, this is your chickens coming home to roost and crapping on your head.'  Maybe he will manage to make the connection.

"Gorgeous hair is the best revenge."  Ivana Trump

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