To hope this is an example that people can change?

[Francais223]

A few years ago a friend of mine worked for a company and said the manager was one of the most awful people she'd ever encountered. She wasn't the only one saying this, but a colleague also sent a formal complaint about this manager to higher up, and the result was the colleague and my friend being 'let go'.
Apparently this manager was and still is dating a senior director.
My friend is a very fair person and I do believe what she was saying in regards to this manager and how staff were treated. Colleagues said their moral had never been so low.
In the end this manager received so many complaints that they were moved to a 'behind the scenes' role.
I have recently started a job with this company, knowing that this manager has little to do with the staff now and that it would hopefully not be like before.
It's only been a couple of weeks but I've met the manager a few times and they've been nothing but nice to me, compared to other management I've had in previous jobs they seem to be positive, helpful and polite, and definitely friendly towards me as well as professional.
Haven't seen anything out of the ordinary and staff do seem to be happy.
I do still feel a bit apprehensive around this manager but I cannot fault their conduct with me.
Not discounting anything my friend said at all as I believe it 100%. I am a bit worried this manager may 'turn' even though I wouldn't be working directly with them. But part of me is hoping that they have changed for the better, is this possible?

Morale*

Hmm I think I'd be wary too, I do think people can change to an extent but I always think a horrible person will always be horrible. However, I think I'm generally a nicer person when I'm happy in my own life/mind and a bit more bitter when I'm unhappy. I'd never be mean or unkind to anyone though.

Yes who knows, I'd like to hope it's genuine from this manager as they didn't even need to speak to me apart from the bare minimum but they went out of their way to be friendly and supportive to help me settle in, even giving me their personal number. (It's a female so not a male trying it on or anything)
I still do feel a bit wary

I have had situations where I have pre-judged people based on other people’s assessments and been very wrong. As I get older I try and take people as I find them and I find I don’t go far wrong.

The person in question here may well have changed. She may have been a bad manager but not a bad person. But if she’s been kind to you I would take it at face value.

My advice is be wary.

I had a manager who everyone complained about but was nice as pie to me. I really didn't understand what everyone was complaining about. At the time, i thought she was one of the better managers i had. Eventually someone put in a grievance against her for bullying which was upheld.

Turned out she had her little favourites who she was lovely to (including me) but was an absolute arsehole to the people she decided she didn't like. I was part time and she was full time and we worked in a large call centre which was why I'd never personally witnessed her behaviour.

I was so disappointed that I'd been taken in by her and defended her at times. Now I'm very wary.

I go by ‘once a cunt, always a cunt’. 🤣

Well it doesn’t matter whether or not she’s changed, all you can at work is be professional so just stick to that and hope she doesn’t work her poison on you!

I'd be polite and professional with her, but very wary and not any more friendly than was absolutely necessary. The PP who talked about a manager having a few favourites but being utterly vile to everyone else is an experience I've had too. I started on their good list, but was rapidly shunted over when it became apparent I wasn't a doormat nor would I turn a blind eye to very poor (and in some cases dangerous) practices or actively cover up her ineptitude. She may well be schmoozing you whilst she works out if you are a fit for her favourites list.

Well your friend might be a lovely kind warm person who is a fabulous friend, but was she any good at her job?
I’m sure we have all worked for organisations where there is someone who is useless at their job. It’s not necessarily due to any personal failings more that they are a square peg in a round hole.
It’s often easier to blame someone else than realise you are the one at fault.

Really horrible people are strategically nice when it suits them. Otherwise they would never get anywhere.

People don't change. It is one of life's disappointing but reliable truths.

I have had situations where I have pre-judged people based on other people’s assessments and been very wrong. As I get older I try and take people as I find them and I find I don’t go far wrong.

I too have pre-judged people in the past and have been wrong. I now wait and see before judging anyone - other people's views are not always correct, and I would rather make up my own mind.

It's the corporate equivalent of being "love-bombed", and I speak from bitter experience. Do all that you need to do to keep them on-side and be approachable, but keep a professional distance and above all else, be ready to be kicked in the arse when you're least expecting it.