What would you do if one ( of 3) managers started to comment about your time spent on jobs?

[Liz1tummypain]

I've worked at the same firm for 12 years. There are now 3 managers, 2 of whom have never commented about this. One has started to ask me why I've spent x time on a job. I haven't changed the way I work. I'm probably asking fewer questions these days and I don't feel I waste time or spend unnecessary time on a job. It;'s not come up at all until the last month or so. Any comments, views on this please?

"This is the way ive always done it and its never been a problem before. Has something changed?"

But then I am direct and prefer to talk bluntly in situations like this. However you choose to word it, id get this nipped in the bid early otherwise it'll just go on and on.

Thanks, yes I like that response :) I know I need to address it. Just trying to decide whether or not to speak to one of the other managers,

I'd speak to the manager who mentioned it. You could escalate it to the other two if you're not happy with the outcome

When they’ve said why have you taken x time what do you say? Any colleagues who do this task you could speak to?

I wouldn’t ask another manager I’m with pp just ask them is there something they thing you should do differently with that task

I had a manager once who was seeking to establish the fact that I had become less productive. I was ill and had decided to take things more slowly as an alternative to sick leave. When he commentated on the time I had taken to do a job I quickly pointed out that a colleague had taken a similar amount of time. And so the time I had taken was a "good average".

He went on to say "But last year you did this job in less time." I told him that I had a medical problem and was unwilling to discuss it with anyone other than HR and the MOH. That shut him up.

Most jobs do vary in the time they take so even tasks for the same client aren't comparable at different times. I think I need to try to be adult about it but I know the effort is going to kill me. It's starting to feel like constructive dismissal. One manager continually gives me positive feedback, the second one rarely gives feedback to anyone but certainly doesn't give negative feedback and this one, she enjoys making things difficult for me at the moment it seems.

By the way, can anyone explain what it means to " flip the thread"? I'm a bit of a long time lurker and haven't ever got the hang of this place properly.

I'd ask if there is a problem next time.
This manager may have been tasked with reviewing bill-able hours or something 🤷‍♀️ Is it always a negative comment or just a general ask?
I might ask one of my team why something has taken the time it has if I feel the fees need to be reviewed iyswim (but I'd tell them why I was asking tbf)

I suppose a lot depends on what your job is. Could be a shitty manager but could just as easily be mis-communication.

Flipping the thread is just having newest post at the top OP.

@FunnyInjury
I'd ask if there is a problem next time.
This manager may have been tasked with reviewing bill-able hours or something 🤷‍♀️ Is it always a negative comment or just a general ask-

it's almost always negative for me these days. I think I'll have to have a conversation with her. Maybe I'm taking it too much to heart.