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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what you think is fair in this situation?

198 replies

Spookytoast · 08/10/2018 14:21

Person A manages 3 people (B, C, and D).

Person B was on long term sick due to stress, but has been back in the office for almost a year, with reasonable adjustments made for their condition. Before going on sick leave B was underperforming and was subject to performance improvement measures.

Persons B, C and D are all contracted to do the same job at the same level.

Since returning to work, Person B hasn’t been working at the level they are paid for, partly due to them underperforming at a the Lower level work (which was supposed to be just to ease B back in).

There is a new upcoming project which person A must decide who to put in charge of. B and C both really want the project. B really needs to start performing at the higher level again in order come off the performance management scheme but A isn’t sure B will be able to cope with the work. B really wants the project to prove that they are still able to work at that level and have felt demotivated working at the lower level, hence the underperforming. C has worked extremely hard this year to prove themselves and A would feel bad overlooking C for this opportunity when they are more than capable.

However A is under a lot of pressure from B and HR to give the project to B so they aren’t disadvantaged when it comes to performance reviews. A is also worried about discriminating against B due to her condition.

What would you say is fair in this situation, and what advice would you give to A, B and C?

OP posts:
Alpacanorange · 08/10/2018 18:40

In

TulipsInBloom1 · 08/10/2018 18:41

C gets it. B is told "We wont be burdening you with extra projects at the moment as you, understandably, need some time to settle back in and work through your Improvement Plan. Hopefully when the nect project comes up we can look to see how it would fit in to your role".

JennyHolzersGhost · 08/10/2018 18:50

Presumably when B was given a project and underperformed, they were told so ?
If so, the answer now is ‘no you can’t have the new project because we gave you a project and you underperformed. Here are some less challenging tasks which are a step up from what you’re doing now, have another shot and we’ll see how you do.’

Original poster
Spookytoast · 08/10/2018 19:14

Yep they were told that some of the work wasn’t being done correctly and C (and D to be fair) have done lots of 1 on 1 training, demos (even tho C is much newer) but everything seems to go in one ear and out the other and C spends a lot of time doing damage control.

Managing B out to maybe a quieter, less stressful team would be the ideal solution but this has been proposed, but unfortunately B said they didn’t feel able to cope with the move and would prefer to stay.

It’s very difficult to know what to do when the emphasis seems to be more on managing B’s condition than being fair to the whole team. C and D have had to make quite significant adjustments to their working patterns to accommodate B which they’ve done without complaint.

I (without saying which letter I am Wink) very much feel for B. I obviously get very stressed on occasions but it must be awful to feel it all the time.

OP posts:
RedneckStumpy · 08/10/2018 19:17

I would give it to C and look at trying to replace B

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 08/10/2018 19:18

‘Wouldn’t be able to cope’.

Not sure it’s B’s choice, they can’t manage the work they’re being given. Honestly if a PIP isn’t completed successfully then they need to be managed out or moved elsewhere.

letsgetreadytosamba · 08/10/2018 19:20

Delighted to see that yet again mumsnet refers to people with disabilities as “lazy as shit” within three posts. The crap on here just now is breathtaking.

Original poster
Spookytoast · 08/10/2018 19:21

Agreed but B seems extremely well versed on her rights and isn’t afraid to kick up a stink if they think they aren’t being treated fairly.

OP posts:
Original poster
Spookytoast · 08/10/2018 19:22

Damn just ruined my gender neutral streak Grin

OP posts:
PookieDo · 08/10/2018 19:22

This kind of happened to me. I am C and I worked really really hard. B has had plenty of opportunities from the sounds of things but I would worry the project could fail if B isn’t ready. Depends on the context of the project too - how long it is, what is expected and what would be the cost of failing/overrunning. I wouldn’t want to give it to B and then C have to pick up the slack if it goes wrong, that’s unfair. I think B should be given more challenging work and assurance that they will be considered for future projects

Original poster
Spookytoast · 08/10/2018 19:22

What would you suggest Samba?

I’m genuinely jntersted. I thought I would get more posters being supportive of B too.

OP posts:
PookieDo · 08/10/2018 19:25

B is getting sympathy but in business it’s a case of who is best for this job and can deliver what is needed. Simply this is C from everything that was said. To give it to B would almost be a charitable move and also risky

letsgetreadytosamba · 08/10/2018 19:26

I haven’t read the full thread yet because I saw red mist.

Well, for a start I’d ignore posters who are calling someone who has been off with stress (and presumably mental health issues) lazy. I’d get them to work on it together with B taking the lead on the understanding C will step in if there are problems. Alternatively I’d give B the work C would be doing as suggested (if either of these are possible).

HR don’t sound like they’re being great though. All in all, I would a) avoid calling B lazy B) be understanding of where B is at C) be upfront with B (or as upfront as is tactfully possible) about concerns and see what they suggest.

letsgetreadytosamba · 08/10/2018 19:27

No @pookiedo thankfully people with disabilities have protection in the workplace. So there is a little more to be thought of.

6SpringCats · 08/10/2018 19:30

You can't risk giving it to B as it presumably needs to be done properly and to a deadline.
Sympathy is one thing but B still has to perform- I was in the same position as B (depression mot stress) and still had to be able to do my day job
It's do that or be moved or sacked

PookieDo · 08/10/2018 19:30

@letsgetreadytosamba

The only reason HR want to give it to B is to boost B’s confidence and to be seen to doing the right thing. This doesn’t help the project, objectives, outcomes, risks or the effects on other colleagues. Underperforming is underperforming. It needs to be addressed separately than allocating large pieces of work to make someone feel better

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 08/10/2018 19:32

Maybe you should read the rest of the thread where OP explains that B has done work to a generally poor standard and has been propped up by other people.

By making B and C share the work you create an environment where C has to more than likely complete the same amount of work on their own but feel obliged to give some credit to B. It also sounds very much like B wouldn’t accept that.

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 08/10/2018 19:34

B has all the protections and reasonable adjustments afforded to her by the sounds of things. Disabled people do have protections but they also actually need to be able to do the job.

Fezzik · 08/10/2018 19:35

Sorry Spooky you gave away gender in your OP (2nd last para, "her condition").

I would feel sympathy for B but it sounds like C has done more than enough to merit this opportunity. If I were C and didn't get the project I would start looking for another job.

SputnikBear · 08/10/2018 19:35

Look at it from C’s perspective: C has worked hard and proved himself, and is not only the best performer in the current role but is already helping B with his existing projects. Then B gets given the star project and C says “He can’t even do the current work without my help never mind the project! I’ve performed better than B so why has he been given the project?!” And when B fails to cope with the project I bet you’ll expect C to help him with it, won’t you? A double kick in the teeth. Basically C is doing all the work while B is being rewarded for under-performing. If I was C I’d be extremely demotivated and would find a new job.

I feel for B and think he should be supported but don’t see why he should have the star project? The only reason seems to be so B doesn’t try to play the discrimination card? Totally unfair on C!

PookieDo · 08/10/2018 19:37

@Fezzik

Me too re another job
And I am C and I still have to give credit to my version of B for all kinds of things even though B does not pull their weight whatsoever. It’s frustrating.

SputnikBear · 08/10/2018 19:39

Managing B out to maybe a quieter, less stressful team would be the ideal solution but this has been proposed, but unfortunately B said they didn’t feel able to cope with the move and would prefer to stay.
Surely B doesn’t get a say in the matter? It’s a business. B is an employee. They do the work they’re told to do. They don’t get to pick and choose!

greendale17 · 08/10/2018 19:39

I would give to C and looking at sacking B on capability grounds

TedAndLola · 08/10/2018 19:40

Sack A and get a manager who can actually manage.

RandomMess · 08/10/2018 19:41

If B isn't performing to grade how us it appropriate for them to be given a project that could then negatively impact on the organisation?