Was I thrown under the bus?

[CandyLeBonBon]

I just wrote out a bit long thread and lost the lot so I'll start again!

Started a new job. 3 days pw, Started last week in April, so been there a month and worked 15 working days so far.

Line manager asked me to write a case study. I found out relevant project info from other colleagues that conflicted with her own and even though I went back to her twice, with the same info, she was insistent that hers was correct, I ended up digging and found something that looked as though it corroborated her thinking but was actually contractually before our involvement, so factually incorrect.

She saw sight of my case study several times before it went live. Accuracy of data was never questioned.

It went live. Apparently the data was incorrect.

Director saw and went nuts.

She then messaged me asking to speak on my day off, asking 'how I'd got there, and how I intended to avoid in future'

I told her that based on her repeated assertions, I'd found data that supported her claim, so that's what I used. Because she's my direct line manager and that's what she told me. I've been there a month, so have yet to absorb the company back knowledge.

Her response was that I should not have taken as gospel, her assertion as she can only be responsible for her own field of expertise and it was my fault for not double checking. And that as she's only been there 8 months, she can't be expected to know all the company ins and outs.

Am I going mad, or did she absolutely throw me under the bus? I'm just so pissed off but wonder if I'm being unreasonable, as I've been freelancing for so long, maybe I'm just being a thicko?

She's been there 8 months & can't be expected to have absorbed all the company info, but you're expected to in less than a month?

She threw you under the bus

I don’t really understand the situation.

If it’s a case study is it not a retelling of an actual situation/project? If so there are only actual facts surely?

Even in a new role, if I was sure I was right I’d back my corner. I regularly tell my manager if he’s wrong about something. He’s fine with that too. He’d not be fine if said nothing.

Even if she was insistent but you had proof otherwise and she wouldn’t accept it then I’d want a formal meeting as she has tried to throw you under a bus, yes.

You have been thrown under the bus, and then some. What a total s**t (them, not you). Sorry, new jobs are tough enough without this sort of stress.

Yes, you've been thrown under the bus. Are you able to leave? I would if you can, tbh, and make sure you send the director an email explaining how your line manager behaved.

@Merryoldgoat

I don’t really understand the situation.

If it’s a case study is it not a retelling of an actual situation/project? If so there are only actual facts surely?

Even in a new role, if I was sure I was right I’d back my corner. I regularly tell my manager if he’s wrong about something. He’s fine with that too. He’d not be fine if said nothing.

Even if she was insistent but you had proof otherwise and she wouldn’t accept it then I’d want a formal meeting as she has tried to throw you under a bus, yes.

I'm working remotely. I reported the other department manager's info but she was very insistent that we'd been managing the contract longer. So I contacted another PM who supplied me with info, and the dates of that info coincided with her assertion.

Project info is all over the place and multiple departments are involved so there is not a single source of info.

She was very insistent.

You were thrown under the bus. I do think you are at least partly responsible though. Next time, only put out there what you can stand by. It's your work. If that's not possible, you probably need a better boss.

@Yokey

You were thrown under the bus. I do think you are at least partly responsible though. Next time, only put out there what you can stand by. It's your work. If that's not possible, you probably need a better boss.

I absolutely agree. I am in no way suggesting I don't have a part to play. And yes, going forward I know where I stand. I was just a bit shocked the a very experienced and very well qualified line manager tried to absolve herself if any responsibility for the issue.

@Yokey

You were thrown under the bus. I do think you are at least partly responsible though. Next time, only put out there what you can stand by. It's your work. If that's not possible, you probably need a better boss.

Also, I gave to say, that actually, based on the information I had, I DID stand by the info I had.

Lets put it this way, you have tyre marks on your arse.

She did. But going forward if you think someone senior is wrong, then create a paper trail - that way info like this will have to be verified before it’s published. You’ve only been there a month so I don’t think anyone is going to hold it against you, and they may well think she should have noticed.

I absolutely agree. I am in no way suggesting I don't have a part to play. And yes, going forward I know where I stand. I was just a bit shocked the a very experienced and very well qualified line manager tried to absolve herself if any responsibility for the issue.

Completely understandable. You weren't to know your line manager has an inflated sense of her own knowledge and no integrity. You know for next time. Like PP said, being new, I doubt anyone will hold it against you, and as a bonus, they probably will be thinking your line manager should have had eyes on it.