by Ann Marie Dwyer

Created on: April 01, 2007   Last Updated: April 17, 2007

Having been successful at going over my boss's head more than once, here are my top 10 most helpful tips:

1. Go to the boss first.
This may go against your first instinct, but it is the only career-salvaging part of going over his head. His supervisor's first question will be "Did you discuss your concerns with Mr. Smith?" An affirmative answer to this question is the only way to be heard successfully.

2. Know the chain of command.
Mr. Smith's boss may not be the one to rectify your issue. Possibly quality control, loss prevention or human resources will hold the final solution. Upper management will often defer to these departments when faced with a problem. Find out who the problem solver will eventually be. Follow the chain to that person.

3. Document.
Keep a written, legible record of your actions and the responses to those actions. Include dates, times, names, telephone numbers and job titles of all telephone conversations with a synopsis of the conversation. Keep a copy of all correspondence. Keep a detailed account of all workplace situations directly affecting your issue.

4. Know the policy.
In cases of integrity, the policy will be very straightforward. Any cases of discrimination will not be so clear cut. Be sure that your issue does not fit into a corporate loophole.

5. Stay calm.
You will be passed from one person to another in hopes that your complaint will pale in comparison to your frustration at the bureaucracy. If you speak in anger or frustration, your complaint will be taken as sour grapes no matter its veracity.

6. Stay neutral.
If your boss is an imbecile, portraying him in a less than favorable light will ultimately hurt your claim. State events as an unbiased reporter, rather than a victim. Emotion does not play in your favor.

7. Be consistent.
When upper management discusses your issue, each participant in the conversation should be talking about the same subject. If you tell one story to one manager and something totally unrelated to another, in conference, both managers will conclude that you are not competent to make the complaint.

8. Have witnesses who will corroborate your issue.
This may be difficult. Many people fear retribution when they point out fallacies and indiscretions of superiors. If you are not positive that your witness will be truthful outside of your presence, do not include them.

9. Be appreciative.
All of the people who hear you out, regardless of their ability or inclination to assist you, should be thanked for taking time from their tasks. Include Mr. Smith.

10. Be persistent.
"The squeaky wheel gets the grease." Just because one manager tells you that there is nothing she can do, does not mean that one, who both can and will, does not exist. Follow these steps until you meet that person.

The solution to your issue may not come in the package you expected. Mr. Smith may still be your boss when all is said and done. As long as you have been honest and neutral throughout the process, the end result will be change. Sometimes the change is a corporate one, others a career move. I used these guidelines to become the manager of quality control.

Learn more about this author, Ann Marie Dwyer.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.