Problem at work

LegacyUser

Hi
A few weeks ago I had a complaint made anonymously about me at work that I wasn't doing enough and that my performance just wasn't acceptable (I think this was done by my immediate supervisor). The problem with this is that before the complaint I was actually doing my bit (in my eyes anyway) and nothing was said to me directly at all, no indication that my teammates were unhappy or anything.. of course when I was given a right bollicking by my manager I completely froze as I wasn't expecting it, and didn't defend myself very well.

Since then I have done everything to try and turn things around and to do a better job. A big problem though is that we are actually a bit overstaffed and work is not shared very evenly through the team. When I do look to see if there is anything extra I can do or help with I am told 'no it's fine' or just not informed about what is going on with the result that it is very difficult to make any inroads into 'turning things around' from my manager's point of view.
Also another problem is that very often I just don't know what others on the team are working on alot of the time which makes the complaint very difficult to understand. Before the complaint was made I was just assigned new work (for the first time in ages) and I think there might have been a bit of jealousy about this (why I don't know).
I have thought about bringing this up with my manager but I have very little contact with her - she won't answer emails and is rarely available even though she has plenty of time for talking to people she gets on with. Because I am not getting work and am not very busy it is very hard to say that I was working hard so that is why so far I have just got on with things rather than picking a fight which I don't think will actually get me anywhere. Before the complaint I hadn't seen my manager for 3/4 months at all but she would often spend 20 mins or half an hour talking to friends of hers...

The complaint annoys me basically because any good name I had in the company is ruined and any chance I had of getting on is gone - I was told in the same 'talk' that I was the worst in the team.. I don't know now if it's worth my while still trying to make a career there or just moving on elsewhere.
Also because of the way things are at the moment, job cuts were announced which leaves me right in the firing line. Was just wondering what you guys might think of this... because I am not busy I feel I am not doing nearly what I could in a job where I would be really stretched. I'd like to leave but I don't know how possible this is in the current climate.

tannytantans

Hi OP

Aww thats a terrible situation. I think it's out of order that your manager said you were the worst on the team - how is that going to motivate you or create a good work environment?

Maybe you could ask to speak to your immediate supervisor in private? You wouldn't have to mention the complaint. Just say that you're not exactly sure what you're mesnt to be doing at all times at work and that sometimes you feel like you could be doing more. Maybe you could suggest weekly team meetings so that you can divide the work more equally amongst yourselves?

I would also suggest attempting to speak to your manageer again. Send her an email to ask if she can talk or just walk right up to her and ask if she has a few minutes, Tell her you've been thinking about your last meeting and you're confused regarding what you're doing wrong. Maybe she would be able to tell you more specifically what's expected of you.Explain to her you're very eager to improve your performance etc

Hope things improve for you soon

Lollipops23

are you a member of a trade union?your manager is making it very difficult for you to resolve this issue.was it her you reckon was the one made the complaint?perhaps it's time to take it to the next level?

Handsome Bob

Sounds like the management structure is all over the place. When someone starts in a new job within a team they should be given clear instructions on what their role is within the company and in general what your contribution is to your team.

You aren't sure of what work your colleagues are doing at times and when you ask if there is anything that needs to be done you are told "no, it's fine". It really sounds like they are amateur in their leadership style.

All I can say to is to sit tight in order to get what you deserve should you get let go due to cutbacks. While doing that there is no harm in keeping an eye on the internet and other outlets for job openings.

Or, if your redundancy package is significant, re-train.

Miss Fluff

Hate to say it OP but this is a classic case of "managing you out". It's a pretty common (albeit sh1tty) way of going about getting rid of someone. The best thing you can do is get your CV together and start looking. By not giving you work they are lining up enough ammunition for an excuse as to how there is not enough work for you.

LegacyUser

Lollipops - have been in the trade union for about 3 years but didn't know they could help with things like this. It was actually my supervisor who complained but never said anything in person to me which was odd. I'd be wary of going higher because it's very tight knit and it mightn't achieve anything but if anything else happens I think this is the route I'll take.

The thing is the manager is a problem unto herself i.e. a fairly nasty customer who has called me a fúckin muppet to my face in front of other staff (it's good not to have a workplace that's too uptight but this is amateur and happens a fair bit). For evaulations she has often said "oh I know how you're doing from talking to people"..... except what if those people don't report the exact truth or exaggerate your faults? I dunno...

in2dblue

I hate to say it but sounds like you have no option but to leave there.
Fingers crossed you will get something soon and once you get a good reference off the place you are with, then I think you should report what happened and maybe prevent it happenning to someone else.

Is there not a work charter that states that you cannot talk to your staff in the manner your manager does?
That behaviour is disgusting and extremely juvenile for someone so high up!

Best of luck!

spurious

Why is anyone entertaining anonymous complaints?

If I got an anonymous complaint about anyone I would treat it with the disdain it deserves.

Propellerhead

Unregistered wrote: »

Hi
A few weeks ago I had a complaint made anonymously about me at work that I wasn't doing enough and that my performance just wasn't acceptable (I think this was done by my immediate supervisor). The problem with this is that before the complaint I was actually doing my bit (in my eyes anyway) and nothing was said to me directly at all, no indication that my teammates were unhappy or anything.. of course when I was given a right bollicking by my manager I completely froze as I wasn't expecting it, and didn't defend myself very well.

Since then I have done everything to try and turn things around and to do a better job. A big problem though is that we are actually a bit overstaffed and work is not shared very evenly through the team. When I do look to see if there is anything extra I can do or help with I am told 'no it's fine' or just not informed about what is going on with the result that it is very difficult to make any inroads into 'turning things around' from my manager's point of view.
Also another problem is that very often I just don't know what others on the team are working on alot of the time which makes the complaint very difficult to understand. Before the complaint was made I was just assigned new work (for the first time in ages) and I think there might have been a bit of jealousy about this (why I don't know).
I have thought about bringing this up with my manager but I have very little contact with her - she won't answer emails and is rarely available even though she has plenty of time for talking to people she gets on with. Because I am not getting work and am not very busy it is very hard to say that I was working hard so that is why so far I have just got on with things rather than picking a fight which I don't think will actually get me anywhere. Before the complaint I hadn't seen my manager for 3/4 months at all but she would often spend 20 mins or half an hour talking to friends of hers...

The complaint annoys me basically because any good name I had in the company is ruined and any chance I had of getting on is gone - I was told in the same 'talk' that I was the worst in the team.. I don't know now if it's worth my while still trying to make a career there or just moving on elsewhere.
Also because of the way things are at the moment, job cuts were announced which leaves me right in the firing line. Was just wondering what you guys might think of this... because I am not busy I feel I am not doing nearly what I could in a job where I would be really stretched. I'd like to leave but I don't know how possible this is in the current climate.

This seems to be a standard procedure for some nasty pieces of work in Irish management. The same stunt was pulled on me years ago in a company that I had enjoyed working for up to that point. At the time there was no other work available and I had to create work and run at a thousand miles an hour for the next three years until a job did become available and I then left.

There's no happy ending or easy answer to this sort of problem. Your immediate boss is a despicable piece of work but the present climate may make it difficult to move on at present. You need to plan each day to pre-empt your boss as far as you can, documenting exactly what you do and keeping a full record of every conversation you have with them. Nowadays there are also plenty of ambulance chasing solicitors who will bite your arm off for a constructive dismissal case so make sure you have everything, and I mean everything from loo and coffee breaks and times in and out written down. You will have to add an hour to your working day and never ever go off the ball. Make sure you communicate what you are working at up and down the chain of command. Ultimately, however you must leave.