Not invited to team meetings, drinks or teambuilding day...

[northerngirl2012]

We've got a new head of department, lots of us work in fairly senior roles from 4 main teams. My role is slightly by itself but closely linked to one of these teams.

Invites have just been sent out for a team building day, whole department meetings and a weekend social event to everyone apart from me.

I had an issue with this a month ago, a meeting I previously attended under the last HOD, was changed so that I no longer 'need' to. I addressed this and was advised it was just a change in policy, ' rest assured you'll be invited to meetings you're needed and wanted at'.

Some of the meetings that I'm missing are certainly a blessing, including the normal cringe inducing team day, but others. Well, I'll not have a clue what's going on or be able to give updates on my role / projects.

Not quite sure how to proceed. I've an appraisal coming up in November, do I approach it then or tackle before that? Not feeling valued that this is the second time I need to raise it.

Talk to your manager again?

I can talk to my manager, but as a new HOD they're 'super busy' and very important looking. So we only have one day a week we can talk about interdepartmental matters and that's a Monday. We all work remotely and this is the only day that emails / internal messages are answered re holidays, meetings etc.

New policy from him, utter shite.

We now have to colour code the primary reason for messaging. Takes longer to remember the colours than emailing / phoning.

Write a clear email saying you are missing key information and you propose you are invited to these particular meetings to avoid issues going forward? Cc his boss?

Don't wait until November, talk to your manager again now

I don't understand - you get out of the Team Building Day!!! Result

I would proceed with caution OP. Only raise it about the meetings/events you really want to attend

Just seen your updates... Sod that! I'd be looking for another job.

I'm struggling to see a downside here

You only have one day a week where you can email about certain things?

Where on earth do you work?! My immediate manager is rarely in the bloody country but still manages to keep on top of annual leave requests and general manager admin.

When in November is your appraisal? And when is the team building/social that your not invited to?

If the appraisal is before the team building I’d wait until then to raise it. If the appraisal is after then I’d raise the issue again with your manager but I’d possibly want to see an actual result rather than vague promises of you’ll be included when your needed.

Make sure it’s not an admin error first.

*seaweedandmarchingbands

Write a clear email saying you are missing key information and you propose you are invited to these particular meetings to avoid issues going forward? Cc his boss?*

This, but without cc-ing his boss in the first instance... it might be perceived as passive aggressive. You’ll have evidence, though, that you’ve approached boss & raised concerns and will be able to escalate if necessary.

Jimmers

Agreed. I would only cc if my initial concerns had been raised in writing.

You need to either insist you are at the meetings, or start looking for another job. Sorry to say it looks like you are being managed out... been there, got the t-shirt. Exact same behaviour = no job!

He sounds quite inexperienced as a manager. Having to colour code emails is a ridiculous waste of time, and only having one day to raise team-related matters is bonkers.

The first thing I would do is email him - up to you whether you wish to colour code it! - and point out that you are being left out of key discussions and team activities, which will have an adverse effect on delivery and outcomes. Leave it at that, as you have it in writing if anything does fall over, for him to come back to you with an explanation/excuse/whatever.

The second thing I would start doing is looking for a new job, because working for people like this is utterly shit.

Out of sight out of mind op, hope they aren’t making a point about if your role is needed.

Meetings and team building exercises are shit but they are an excellent way to network and get your face known.

Email the new HOD to advise you have been off sick for 2 days this week, but only next Monday.

Use the 2 days to job search.

Some useful points thank you, I’ve emailed this evening, in an - urgent email colour! Do as you say there will be a paper trail. My fear is I’m being managed out, previous appraisals & reviews have all been excellent so no idea for the basis if that.

I don’t want to go to the team building day, but they’re normally so awful that they’re funny! This one should be quite fun too, it’s a cookery lesson.