Is this an issue?

[SeekingBalance]

Back story: New manager, first managerial role, taking the micro managing approach...I totally appreciate the need to find a style which suits them and the team.
However, the style over substance is becoming a bit much. For example, I have big deadlines, I was being badgered to stick name labels on my desk (the same desk, the desk of two, which everyone knows is mine) my filing cabinet has been re organised and yesterday I found out my laptop was out, on and emails accessed. Obviously I have nothing to hide, and the same approach is being used with all staff so thankfully not just me.

I just feel so patronised, I'm higher qualified, much more experienced and definitely not after a managerial role. Up until now, I've had job satisfaction with the work life balance. I really, really don't need nor do I cope with this style of management.

When I casually mentioned it to my husband last night, he said he would of been fuming if that had happened at his work.

Is this an issue, would you find it an issue? I have great working hours so I don't want to rock the boat but equally I want to be respected as a member of the team, something that seems to be drowning.

Any advice?

I would be furious. Why are the going on your email.

how long have they been in role?

They've been in the role 2 months.

They were looking for a link to something, I was coming in to do this but they just started to get it sorted before I arrived. I imagine they didn't think anything of it.

Is your laptop not password protected?

Everywhere I have worked this would be taken very seriously as a breach of security

I would have to challenge this. Unaccepted behaviour!!!

Yes password protected but kept in the safe so I assume she thinks as the manager she has the right to access it?

Thank you so far for your responses, I know she'll see this as a non issue. I get the feeling she has total control in everything outside of work, hence this approach being so natural and possibly doing this sort of stuff without even thinking.

I was wanting to see if me feeling uncomfortable was normal so I'm glad I posted for advice.

Accessing your laptop using your password and reading through your emails is definitely a breach of security and violation of your rights as an employee.

We had this in our workplace and the offender was sacked on the spot for gross misconduct.

That is not a good manager. Micromanagement is terrible and they won't get the results they want. I would be furious about the laptop.

Thank you, I've never worked with anyone like this before so I didn't know if I was taking it personal.

They were looking for a link to a course we were on together but was well aware that I was coming in earlier to get everything ready.
Makes me wonder if it's not the first time.

You need to go higher up and report the gross invasion of privacy to this manager's boss. The data manager - and every organisation legally has to has one - needs (a) to know and (b) to speak to this person ASAP because GDPR law will look on this type of infraction harshly if it's reported to the ICO.

How did she get your password?

@SeekingBalance

Yes password protected but kept in the safe so I assume she thinks as the manager she has the right to access it?

I don't understand this, do you mean your password is kept in the safe or the laptop is? Where I work it's a disciplinary offence to give anyone your password, or use anyone else's. We're not allowed to write them down, even just for ourselves.

I would be very surprised if your workplace allow managers to just randomly access other people's emails - what if you had emails to HR, or Occy Health, or a union on there?

How does she know your password, that's a massive security issue.
Other than that, it's hard getting used to other people's ways but that sounds mental.
Micromanaging is such a waste of everyone's time. We know where we are, but that's easy, as nothing is getting done because we're too busy updating the schedule and ticking off or moving delivery dates on the tasks and making sure everything is properly colour coded... Duh...

I've worked in finance/office based roles for over 15+ years and can safely say not one single manager has ever and I mean ever accessed my laptop without permission and or me being present.

When I went on annual leave, my manager asked for my permission to access emails in my absence, I didn't have to agree, but nothing to hide and meant work could be picked up whilst I was gone.

This does sound like a breach of some sort, as they need your permission to access your laptop which I'm assuming is password protected?

You can speak to HR anonymously for some guidance.

And I forgot about making the charts look nice for the daily meetings...

I definitely need this clarified and it will be the first thing I do tomorrow. I didn't even consider if I had emailed a union etc as thankfully, up until now I have never had any issues.

Also - the bloody cheek of her. If it happens again just say you'd appreciate if she liaised with you going forward when she needs access to your laptop!

@zigzag56445 yes!

Thank you everyone, really good advice on here which I will absolutely take on board.

The laptop is a security breach and should be reported. It equally demonstrates an alarming lack of competence in the manager.

2 birds with one stone. In my line of work it would be gross misconduct.

[quote SeekingBalance]@zigzag56445 yes![/quote]
Very close to home for me this week... Can you tell?? 😂

There's a new word for it too...
A microschedule...
Did you ever hear the like of it? 😂😂😂

@zigzag56445

There's a new word for it too... A microschedule... Did you ever hear the like of it? 😂😂😂

Oh my christ 🤣

The accessing your laptop thing is a massive issue. You have a responsibility to keep it secure so writing it down and leaving it in a shared area is terrible practice (grounds for dismissal in my job.) Does everyone so that?? Her accessing it is wrong also, but the point is, she shouldn’t have been able to.
She sounds like nightmare. Keep a record of everything.