VP Lying
When sprinting on a deal, I sometimes get a note from my VP saying, "what's the status on this? [insert MD's name] is asking for it."
A short story without going into much detail: the MD isn't asking for these items he's claiming, and the VP is just saying it to manipulate the analysts/associates into prioritizing the VP's work. On multiple occasions, this has caused me to pull all-nighters on a deliverable that ends up not being needed until like a week later.
Anything that can be done about this or do we just eat it?
Do this one time:
1. Finish the work
2. Reply back and cc the MD into the chain saying "please see attached"
3. One off the VP being like "Thought I'd send directly given urgency"
4. You might face some heat, but at least it probably won't happen again.
I don't think this is a good idea.
This is just going to lead to the VP telling the MD to ignore the email and then your VP yelling you at you to not send stuff directly to the MD until the VP signs off on it as is typically done.
The best way to guarantee someone reads an email is to tell them not to read it lol
Do not fucking do this. God wtf lol. Below poster is correct. Your VP will absolutely email the MD to ignore said email as it didnt' go through them to review. It looks horrible on your part for jumping the gun and you will absolutely positively lose points not only from this VP, but other VP's who this VP tells this to and its a downward spiral from there.
You're an analyst. Bottom of the totem pole. We were all there. This is just a shitty VP you'll have to deal with.
Guess some people are fine with being a door mat for senior people with toxic habits. People like this VP are a dime a dozen... in every organization. However sometimes the kid on the shit end of the stick has a back bone and stands up for himself. He gains the respect of the VP and other seniors, and his life is now slightly less miserable cuz the VP won’t be pulling that shit anymore.
The “gotta get your reps in” in this situation is a cop out.
Been in this situation, and as an associate think it’s on us to push back on the VP. I’ve responded telling them the status and saying, “realistically, this will be an all night job. Just want to make sure you and MD are aware, let me know if this changes priorities.”
Works because a) VP won’t want to speak for the MD in telling you to stay up all night, especially not in writing and b) sometimes they just really are unaware of how long the tasks take, especially MDs... so if it is super time sensitive maybe they’ll adapt the ask so they can get it in time.
How about sending this: "Hey dude, Here's that shitty analysis you asked for. Hope this is useful or whatever. Let me know when free as numbers look totally wrong (L-O-L) but thought I'd send it anyways, what's a couple hundred bps ... at least returns are higher than lower - imma right?! Anyways, meeting the Sheila around 6pm for some sexy time so taking the rest of the day off, need to buy some candles, handcuffs, lube etc. Tonight's our monthly threesome roleplay, so if you call and I sound like a fireman - just go along with it! Any queries, have mentioned to [person X] so they'll cover (hopefully). See you tomorrow, friend. Special regards, you"
Call in sick whenever you think a lot of work is due ... your VP will forget about you pretty quickly, and probably stop asking you to do stuff. Use your 20 days wisely. Put your out-of-office email contact as your VP, and turn on auto-forwarding to your VP and IT ... so when they send you an email, they receive it back twice (including an IT ticket reference). Also auto-forward to your colleague, so when they clarify via email ... it goes straight to your VP. Effectively turning the tables as reverse delegating to your VP (with them having now received at least 4 emails for each one request they send). When you (evetually) come back to work from being sick (cough) ... send an email following up if there is anything "else" you could help with, but keep your auto-forward still on. If they get pissed off and shout at you... call up HR requesting your VP undergo workplace behaviour re-training and that you dont feel comfortable working with your VP anymore and need additional leave to time out from the added stress. During your "time out", buy 10 goldfish and let HR know these are emotional support animals ... if they die, means you can take even more leave and work cannot pass unfair judgement or discriminate, because if they do that's a major lawsuit waiting. Good luck !
Meh ...