Sometimes it sucks having too many bosses.

[mecch]

I am one of the very few profs to teach in several divisions of my school.  So that means I work for several deans, who don't talk to each other and really don't give a shit about profs cause they themselves have fat fixed salaries. I however, often have to market my ass to keep or increase my "percentage". 
Well in the last few weeks, rather last minute, 3 deans cut classes on me. Even my tenure doesn't garantee my salary, only my continuing job!  Its all about how many classes you teach!  Grrrrr! 
Now i gotta scramble around kissing ass and cobble it all together.  Not certain I can for this year.

Sometimes its nice not to be completely under the thumb of one boss, for example if the one is a dickwad. Others might compensate.  Other times, too many bosses spoils the soup so to speak!

Can anyone relate?

There is one dean who is supposed to look out for me across all divisions, a nice guy but a complete loafer and no proactive management... 

Still don't want to go whining to HR - cause that will only sour the relationships with deans.   There are limits I'm told what they can cut one year to the next.  But how to know without going to HR?

I'm going to have to be a quick brown sly fox on this I guess.

Asshole dean who cut a class on me yesterday, 5 days before the semester starts on Monday, that was pretty low....  Could have had his shit together in June or July for example.  Certainly knew his budget, just didn't bother to clarify his new curriculum goals and HR needs... But no.... asswipe. 

[Pilot]

I can relate.  My company consists of the owner..whom i rarely see, the vp his son which I only see once or twice a year and the treasurer his youngest son that is supposed to be a good friend of mine that I now see sporadically although he lives 50 ft from where I work.

Unfortunately, the last two are often trying to tell me what to do and how to do it.  I always tell them if you want to do it your way feel free to come to work again but until that time arrives then I am going to do it my way so I know it gets done on time and with no interference from those who do not want to work but still want a big paycheck for doing nothing.

They always get pissed off and they do not call me for months but leave customer orders on a fax for me with the due date.

I understand the pay issue as I get paid from two sources within the same division and then the pay is based on what I am doing at the time and it often becomes a night mare to juggle everything.  Everyone wants me to work like a maniac but does not want to pay. I keep telling them if they want me to work longer days it will not be for the same money so either give me what is fair or shut the hell up. People will work you to death if you put up with their bull and since I am the only one who performs the work I do they have learned it is much easier to leave me alone.

[buginme2]

When I graduated from undergrad I worked at an investment bank for a couple years.  I had 5 bosses and each laid work on me without regard to what any of the other bosses might also have me working on.   Eventually they all got laid off and I was left without any bosses and spent my work days shopping and having lunches.