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Original poster

Would you be annoyed if your deputy did this- I'm fuming!

29 replies

Terfmeout · 30/09/2018 14:48

I have a deputy manager who is quite new in post. He's doing okay but is very ambitious (great) but sometimes a bit cavalier about some of the steps he will need to take on the way up.

I've let him know this but also given positive feedback where warranted and arranged for him to assist in a project he was particularly interested in that wouldn't otherwise have come his way.

On Friday he sent an email to our department strongly urging staff to get involved in a project another manager from another department is trying to get off the ground. he said he'd done xxx and other manager would appreciate volunteers. He CC'd in the other manager like he's our line manager FFS. He's not, he's the same level as me. Deputy had not discussed it with me at all and I feel it's massively over stepping the mark. Staff will see it as an order, or be confused and I don't particularly want them involved in this project as we have our own stuff to be doing. Other manager is favoured by upper management, but that's not the point and I feel deputy should remember who his boss actually is.

I want to have words to that effect tomorrow, but is it just me who would feel this way?

OP posts:
MrsZB · 30/09/2018 15:39

I can’t see what he has done wrong though? Is he not allowed any autonomy? It sounds like you feel threatened by him?

mimibunz · 30/09/2018 15:44

I think you are quite right to have a word. He’s probably trying to expand his scope and get noticed by other managers at your level and that could go wrong on many levels. Especially if you aren’t aware of what he’s doing.

wrenika · 30/09/2018 18:17

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with it.

ButterflyWitch · 30/09/2018 18:18

I don't really understand?

Bloodybridget · 30/09/2018 18:19

No, it's wrong, he should have checked with you first. He doesn't have the authority to do this.

missyB1 · 30/09/2018 18:19

I’m not convinced he’s done anything wrong, it could depend on how he has worded it though.
Do you have an issue with him addressing the rest of the team without running it by you first?

MorningsEleven · 30/09/2018 18:21

So, is it like you're in charge of jam and he's your deputy but he's decided to take on a project for the manager of marmalade?

EdisonLightBulb · 30/09/2018 18:21

I think it's common courtesy that he ran it by you first. Sounds like he's kissing ass.

imstartingtobemenow · 30/09/2018 18:27

If it's taking resources away from your dept then yes he should have cleared it with you. What if you don't meet your dept objectives and the other manager smashes his? Massively undermining. Deputy needs to meet your dept needs first, make sure his targets are such that he has to prioritise your workforce for your objectives.

Rainatnight · 30/09/2018 18:29

Yep, he needs telling.

Don't understand these people telling you they can't see what the problem is. He's diverting resources from your work.

Jeffjefftyjeff · 30/09/2018 18:33

I’m a deputy and would never ask staff to volunteer to work on a project led by a different manager without clearing it with my manager. That is the issue, right? I agree this is out of order. If his job is to deputise for you and to assist in running your department, that is what he should do. I would deal with it very factually- prepare a list of why it is an issue in advance of the conversation and anticipate what he might say in response so you are ready.

Original poster
Terfmeout · 30/09/2018 18:34

Yes, I do have a problem with him basically ordering the team to do something outside our priority without even mentioning it first. And I think 'asking' people to do stuff (he has no authority whatsoever to enforce it) while cc'ing in someone senior is pretty shitty anyway. Not something I've ever done and would only do it as a last resort if someone was being obstructive. people may now feel obliged, which is absolutely not on.

We have a few new team members and they may not know what to make of this, which means I need to rebut it publicly - not ideal. I'm so cross.

OP posts:
Trishtashtosh · 30/09/2018 18:34

To be fair, he said 'volunteers' and also you were the one who suggested he get involved in the project in the first place... just make it clear that any staff who wish to volunteer would need to fulfil their work with you first? It's reasonable to ask how they plan to schedule it and deal with any potential clashes. I think it's a shame you're trying to stamp on someone's enthusiasm.

Original poster
Terfmeout · 30/09/2018 18:43

This is nothing at all to do with the project I got him involved in. I included that to show I am developing him, so why does he need to go arse kissing elsewhere.

And volunteers has a different meaning when someone senior is cc'd in. I am being quite vague for obvious reasons, but it's worded in a way that implies they need to do it.

OP posts:
ShalomJackie · 30/09/2018 18:45

He passed on a message from another manager and cc'd that manager in. I think you are just annoyed because you don't like the deputy and are worried that he will progress quicker than you otherwise why mention he is ambitious.

rookiemere · 30/09/2018 19:47

I can see why you're annoyed but surely its a simple question of giving him the chat about following normal chains of command.

Violetroselily · 30/09/2018 19:53

I don't see the problem with the cc'ing - if it's this senior manager's project, It's perfectly normal for him to be cc'd into an email about it

Confused
horizonglimmer · 30/09/2018 19:58

I don't understand - you call him the deputy, say you are developing him but also say he is on the same level as you? Are you his line manager or not? If you are the same level maybe he didn't feel the need to pass it by you?

Personally I got on better in places where I had autonomy to develop projects of my own. That is where I did my best work, which got the most accolades. Not when I was micro managed and never given any autonomy.

Original poster
Terfmeout · 30/09/2018 20:10

No he's not the same level as me. I'm his line manager. It's the other manager who's the same level as me. He's out of line without a doubt in the way our organisation works. I think the cc'ing is awful. Sucks up to the other manager and makes my team feel they have to comply.

OP posts:
Bestseller · 30/09/2018 20:19

He's asking people to help someone out and trying to encourage some cross team working? I can't see a problem with that. It sounds like you know he's going places and have issues with that tbh

Violetroselily · 30/09/2018 20:23

You're probably better off moaning about this to someone else in your bizarre organisation. It's likely the only place where this would be seen as crime of the century...

WorraLiberty · 30/09/2018 20:28

Yes, I do have a problem with him basically ordering the team to do something outside our priority without even mentioning it first.

He hasn't 'ordered' anyone to do anything Confused

As for copying in the other manager, that makes sense so the other manager gets the replies from whoever wants to get involved.

However, he should have spoken to you about it first. I think that's the only thing he's done wrong here.

luckylavender · 30/09/2018 20:29

Well out of line. You need to keep a very close eye on him. Political animal.

Hayles88 · 30/09/2018 20:30

I'd have no problem with my deputy manager doing this for my immediate colleague. Can't see why anyone would unless feeling threatened. The DM has obviously had a conversation with the other manager and is now engaged in cross working. Sounds like the DM has a decent work ethic and plans to progress. I would support that.

Bestseller · 30/09/2018 20:40

I'd take the ccing of the other manager as simply letting him know that he'd made the request. It doesn't add any extra weight to the request, if your staff don't report to that manager. It also seems a reasonable thing for a deputy manager to do. Not much point having one if they're not allowed to manage anything

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