Help me deal with my manager

[mangowango]

I've recently started (2 months ago) a new part time job. It's work I have done for years so I am very experienced for the role, however I seem to be working for some difficult employers. My predecessor was full time, but it was decided my role would be only 3 short days a week. Due to the nature of the business there is a fast turn around therefore things can change during my non working days, however i may not hear about these changes as when I am next in the management team may be out. This is becoming problematic for both me and them as we are all getting frustrated that I'm not achieving what they expect of me. I found out today my manager has been reporting back to the CEO about mistakes I have made (because I wasn't made aware of the changes, and in the grand scheme of things are not big mistakes that cause any damage) and has suggested I am sacked. Thankfully the CEO didn't agree to sacking me, however it's clear my manager is now gunning for me and is setting me up to fail. I don't want to lose my job as it's convenient for childcare etc but the environment is so stressful. I have tried to build better communication but it just reverts back to old ways.

Can anyone help me?

I would start emailing your management a status report at the end of every single day in the office. Remind your manager that if anything changes when you are out to please reply to the email explaining the change.

This makes it easy for the manager to tell you of changes. It covers your arse for proving that you were kept in the dark. It also shows that you are a generally organised structured person.

I would have the status report in an easy to use format that I would keep updated throughout the day myself in a way that is also useful to me.

Having said the above, I would say that if your manager has tried to sack you and has been over-ruled then you are in a me or him situation really.

If you can't work together nicely then one of you will have to go.

Gather the evidence and suggest that the senior manager gives you the managers job 3 days a week instead?

Thank you. The daily report is a good idea. I will start that. Unfortunately the manager is the daughter of the CEO so unlikely to happen but wishful thinking.

Oooooo, that's a hard situation to be in if the manager is the CEOs daughter, but it is good the CEO has already overruled her.

I second keeping a paper trail/e-mail trail of everything, then you can show what has and hasn't been told to you. Hopefully the CEO will realise there is a potential problem with her dds communication and would rather keep someone (you) who is good at the job and deal with the dd rather than having to replace you, and consecutive employees, because of the daughters shortcomings. That can be inconvenient and costly for them too.

It does remind me of years ago when dh changed his job. Small business expanding, dh went in to sell a new product they were bringing on-line. Unfortunately his manager was useless and we think took a disliking to dh, and he was the owner's son. The manager did everything he could to get rid of dh, it was awkward as it was difficult trying to "politely complain about his manger" to the manager's dad. Job didn't last long. It might be worth your while looking around for another job that suits your requirements just in case the worst comes to the worst. Unfortunately as you have only been there 2 months you have little to no legal protection and it is easy to get rid of you if they decide to, but it also gives you an out if you find another job too.

Good luck, and I hope you can sort this out.

Keep CEO friendly for future references. Be nice to manager while being 100% strictly professional with maximum arse covering.

This job is a dead duck. Start looking for something else NOW not when they get rid of you / you are worn down and depressed by it / you have to take the first new thing that comes along.

If you’re not getting on with the manager, and she’s the CEO’s daughter then I think you will need to find a new job! Start looking now, so you can do it at your pace rather than waiting until you have to leave.

Yes, I think you are all right, I need to go. This manager seems to take a dislike to lots of people and makes their lives very difficult. When she's not around I work very well, but as soon as she turns up I start to make mistakes and she makes me nervous. I'll start looking and applying for things. Such a shame as this job ticks all the boxes, it's just her that's the problem. I've been nothing but polite and professional but she has just decided I'm not worthy. I can handle not being liked, it's just the paranoia of being targeted by her and her picking up on everything negative to build a case against me.

It doesn't tick all the boxes really though does it? It doesn't tick the boxes of being a nice working environment, of having a good management, of making you enjoy going to work. Those are big things.

Well no, but it fits around my children and is during school hours which at the moment I consider more important than a nice work environment for me. Maybe that's wrong.