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Original poster

Meeting put in with senior managers out of the blue, really nervous

19 replies

handholdnerves · 29/11/2022 16:20

I've had a meeting put in my calendar with my manager's manager, and my manager's manager's manager. My line manager isn't in the meeting. A 20 minute 'catch-up'. I'm really anxious about it, and have no clue what it's about or why my line manager isn't in the meeting.

Do you think if it was bad my line manager would be in the meeting too? And HR?

OP posts:
TheBuggerlugs · 29/11/2022 16:35

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns

stayathomegardener · 29/11/2022 16:37

It might be something good... the anticipation is always the worst. How long do you have to wait?

LetsGoDoDoDo · 29/11/2022 16:37

It might be regarding your manager? Or perhaps they've recommend you for some additional responsibility?

PearlclutchersInc · 29/11/2022 16:39

If it was bad HR would definitely be there..... fingers crossed it's not going to be dreadful.

Thelongwayround · 29/11/2022 16:39

In your shoes I would accept the meeting and ask the meeting organiser if there is anything they’d like you to prepare for the meeting - that might give you a clue or some reassurance

thelobsterquadrille · 29/11/2022 16:40

It might be about your manager, which is why they're not going to be present?

Pinniepotter · 29/11/2022 16:40

I'm in senior management. Ask! Just
ask the EA what you need to prepare.

YankeeDad · 29/11/2022 17:53

I would second the suggestion to ask the EA of one of the people whom you are meeting. But, if your line manager is not going to be there, then it might well be about them. If HR is not there, they are probably not going to reprimand you or fire you because they would want HR present to cover them.

It might actually be something good for you, or something at least neutral ... I could speculate but I am not sure if that would be helpful. You could potentially be honest with the EA, especially if the EA is decent person known to you. You could say that you have not met one-on-one with these two before, you are a bit nervous, and you are wondering how to prepare. Even if they cannot tell you the subject, they might know it and they might be able to reassure you.

TeachesOfPeaches · 29/11/2022 18:02

Sounds like they have some news about your manager

saveforthat · 29/11/2022 18:06

I used to 3 work somewhere that had 'skip' meetings. I.e. you skipped a level to talk to senior management about how things are going in your role/team. Cook it be that? Ask for an agenda.

saveforthat · 29/11/2022 18:07

Ignore the 3. No idea how that got in there.

iklboo · 29/11/2022 18:12

I've had these as part of 360° feedback about my line manager. It could also be something good.

surreygirl1987 · 29/11/2022 18:39

It's probably about your manager. But they really should tell you. Just ask.

Original poster
handholdnerves · 29/11/2022 19:01

I have no idea what they would want to discuss about my manager though. They are doing a good job and were recently promoted. We do give feedback on our managers but through questionnaires at the end of the year

OP posts:
Original poster
handholdnerves · 29/11/2022 19:04

saveforthat · 29/11/2022 18:06

I used to 3 work somewhere that had 'skip' meetings. I.e. you skipped a level to talk to senior management about how things are going in your role/team. Cook it be that? Ask for an agenda.

It may be this. I just think they would have told us all in advance that they were doing this so we could prepare

OP posts:
Flamingosarentreal · 29/11/2022 20:20

i had this recently and turned out i was being rewarded for a project i had worked on- I thought they were going to sack me ) no idea why as I am generally good at my work!)😁

Original poster
handholdnerves · 29/11/2022 23:10

All evening I've been worrying about this meeting... I've been going over things over and over again in my head from the past few weeks. My manager has seemed normal towards me, so I feel like I haven't messed up, at least I hope not. I feel like if it was serious they would put in a longer meeting, maybe 30 minutes? 20 minutes is quite a short meeting. I don't know... My manager has been mentioning 2023 things to me, so surely if I was being fired they wouldn't bother bringing that up?

I'm wondering if it could be some kind of mentorship? But, again, my manager would usually speak to me about these kind of things. Hmmm

OP posts:
YankeeDad · 30/11/2022 01:29

@handholdnerves I would be very surprised if you are going to be fired by your bosses boss and your bosses bosses boss (sorry for some reason my keyboard does not do apostrophes in Mumsnet). It is much more likely that something is up with your line manager. If the meeting is only for 20 minutes then they are probably going to update you with some information. Could be anything from your line manager is leaving, to they have a health issue, to they are getting promoted.

There is also a possibility that they want to ask you one specific question. For example, maybe your direct line manager has been accused of something, or maybe they just want general feedback. In this scenario, do not let yourself get intimidated into saying anything on the spot if you would rather think about it first, unless the answer is simple, clear, obvious and comfortable for you to articulate.

throwaway5001 · 04/12/2022 17:56

@handholdnerves hope the meeting was all good in the end?

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