Would I be unreasonable to ask that all changes to ways of working are communicated via email/in writing and not Teams/phone calls?

[I8toys]

Been in current position for years. New person comes in same sort of position as me but with a different title. I don't work for this person.

Requests on how to do things for my line manager have come in over Teams from this new person. These have not been discussed with me and the new person tells me my LM has agreed such and such. I have mentioned to LM and HR are looking at job descriptions.

I think there will be more to come in the future. AIBU to ask that anything changing with my role be communicated in writing - email or letter and not via Teams/phone calls?

It sounds as though the new ways of working and changes in responsibility and procedure are being suggested by your same level coworker to your line manager informally during private video calls and passed on to you in the same way by "whisper post" by this same coworker, and you're sceptical about how official they are?

I'd be sceptical too especially if this is all in the coworker's interest and is giving you all the donkey work and him the "glory" tasks and implied seniority even though he isn't in any way senior to you.

Perhaps the most important thing is that changes are not agreed in your absence! So either you need to be on the call discussing changes, or you want it in an email or direct from your boss.

You're not being precious, you're standing up for yourself as a co-worker makes a power play in which you could end up collateral damage as he uses you to advance his own career.

Is there any benefit to the co-worker to push you out op?

I think there is. Their own LM also would see the benefits.

It feels like a gradual diminishing of my position and I know I'm on the defense

Good time to think about what you want to do. What's your growth path in the company? What strengths do you have that you want to use? Your position now is just a stepping stone up to the next one.

Thank you @Watchthesunrise There are other things I can't mention because its too outing but its affected my confidence a lot. I need to get this back somehow.

Tell me you didn’t read the comment you were replying to, by being ignorant

I don't think you are being precious asking for confirmation from your LM. Aside from anything else it would protect you from a bad performance review if they forget you aren't doing certain jobs any more. Might be an idea though just to ask for an updated job description.

If your job is being gradually whittled away by this, either in workload or seniority though, it might be worth you getting some proper advice.

YANBU. Any change to your job role needs to be communicated through a properly trackable method of communication eg email. If you feel that your roles and responsibilities are bring eroded/ changed you should have a meeting with your LM to formally establish how these are changing, and why. I use Teams all day long, but it's not the right channel for formal changes to be communicated. It's nothing to do with "working in the 1980s" and everything to do with clear instructions, accountability, professionalism and respect.

Have HR told you when they will have the new job description for you?

This new person sounds like a snake. I'd arse cover like crazy and follow up everything with a confirmation email cc'ing both LM and this person. They may try to fuck you up somewhere so bat that back.

I'd also create some task or report or something to start doing, start taking on other stuff where you can.