Do bosses & managers lie to their employees about how hard they work?

Question

First a background about myself. I have completed University in Computer Science. I am currently working blue collar labour jobs in a tourist town in the Canadian Rockies. I'm basically just relaxing for now, and have these jobs on the just to have a cash upkeep. I'm also working on side-projects of my own to add to my portfolio for when I start applying for jobs in my field.

Question: Do bosses lie to their employees about how hard they work? Do they do this to get them to work harder?

I have a feeling:

a) My boss is lying to me. (This is my gut feeling)

b) I'm just getting unlucky with my bosses/managers seeing me at my worst moments and never at any other time.

c) I'm in denial about being lazy. (This is what my brain is telling me)

I KNOW that I am too smart for these jobs. It's ridiculous. I do something to make an improvement, and I get a wave of the finger for it. I don't do anything and I get told I'm lazy. This is the 3rd job in the past 5 months where a manager as told me my co-workers all think I'm lazy and don't want to work with me, etc.

(I should mention that I quit my first job, and others I still currently have, one being part time.)

Now, I am a big guy. I am 6'4, 200lbs. I understand that I may be intimidating to most people. Yet, after my boss tells me all these people think I'm lazy, and refuses to give me certain names, I will just go around to EVERYONE and ask them... And I do so in a very open, understanding, and sincere matter... and yet no one ever confesses to telling the boss I'm lazy/they don't want to work with me/etc.

So what the h**l is going on here?

Is this a "strategy" to motivate workers?

Or am I really just lazy?

Answer 1

Well, I think you have a minor problem. You are overly obsessive over such a small issue. Obviously getting a job for you isn't a big deal, considering you could land three different jobs in five months. Why do you care so much? Sometimes people lie, and other times they are telling you the truth. Stop caring so much! It's not like your going to have this job for so long anyhow.  

Answer 2

To get a really crisp picture of the world of business, read Dilbert. I heartily recommend "All Dressed Down and Nowhere to Go" by Scott Adams.

Of course bosses lie. But not all of them. I've had a few good bosses, but only a few.

Answer 3

Going around asking everyone who said you were lazy is a waste of time- yours and your co-workers. And, it crosses a boundery of social appropriateness. Its a little creepy and obsessive. I would want to know too, dont get me wrong, but you cant go around asking that.  Would a boss lie about it.. maybe. If you think you might be lazy, you probably are. If there isnt enough to keep you interested or busy, then you might be in the wrong job. Maybe you have some ADD???

Are you at work right now????  lazy lazy lazy.  lol