OK, so I will try to keep this as succinct as possible.
I've been a manager to someone for a couple of years. This person I got on well with on a work and personal level - we did some social stuff together (outdoor activities rather than social pub type thing). Her work was good, never brilliant but good.
About 6 months ago performance began to drop quite dramatically and i was made aware that on every occasion possible she was playing the smiling assassin and trying to 'get me in trouble' with the boss (the MD) - it was less childish than that but I can't think of another way to describe it! I have a great relationship with MD so I don't have any concerns on that front.
This person had a very high opinion of her capabilities within her role and was visibly miffed when someone half her age was promoted over her. In reality she was in the right job for her ability and experience but constantly made comments about how her abilities were being overlooked. All the right things were done with regards to offering support to gain skills to improve etc but they were always turned down. They resented quite clearly the fact that I was 'in her way' between her and the MD and became very bitter. All the while they continued to be pleasant, friendly, conspiratorial (often trying to lead me in discussing other colleagues) towards me.
Long story short, they handed in their notice and ramped up the disruption in terms of bitchiness behind mine (and everyone else's) back.
They have now gone to work with someone who is a friend of the MD. When the MD questioned her friend about this fact - nothing had been mentioned to her, this former employee of ours has basically said that 'Mrs Effington is pulling the wool over the MD's eyes and is not what she claims to be'
MD has shared this information with me. MD has no concerns about me or my performance so from a work point of view i have few concerns.
So, finally, here is the question... what do I do with this information? The sensible person in me says to leave well alone, it says more about them than me but in reality I am rocked by this, I cannot even begin to think what is meant by that comment. It has really upset me. I have supported, trained, laughed and cried with this person, taken the flak for mistakes done, protected and championed them and they say this with the express purpose of undermining my role. The fact that the MD, if they believed such a thing of me would have given me my marching orders and not just given me a significant salary increase and package enhancement...
I am trying to be the bigger person and leave well alone and clearly in my professional role I cannot contact themto ask. But... can i text themin our (former) friends role and ask what the actual fuck they are talking about?
I also want them to know that their comments haven't had the desired effect but I'm someone who takes great care to treat others as I would like to be treated, I just can't get this out of my head...
Can I message them? Or do I walk away and leave well alone (it doesn't help that I know the people they have said this too - we work occasionally together and I CANNOT bear the fact that they have this in their heads
What say Mumsnetters?