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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you be upset - it's a work one

145 replies

Ceci03 · 02/08/2023 15:47

I have 2 managers and 3 team mates. While I was away on leave last week, an invitation was sent to me and the 3 others inviting us to 'refresher training' yesterday. I only realised when I got into the office that 3 individual meeting requests had been sent. So it was just the 2 managers, me and a p/t member of staff who it was explained was there as she was an 'expert'. (She has worked here longer than the other team members). So anyway when I went into the meeting room (p/t member told me I would need my laptop) - it turned out to be a test. I was a bit shocked and tbh got very nervous. The p/t member of staff gave me a task, and I had to complete it in front of them with them all looking over my shoulder. I got caught out a couple of times - she had put things in to 'catch me out', although if I had had a few mins I would have 'got it'.

They then proceeded to say that it had been brought to their attention that a lot of mistakes were being made but they didnt know by who, so that's why I had to do the test. They kept asking me 'who is making mistakes' and I just said I hadn't noticed anything specific, and was certainly not going to name names, and that I looked on it as 3 of us were new since Jan and were on a steep learning curve, and we learned from our mistakes. It was extremely uncomfortable.

At the time I was a bit shell shocked and just went along with it. The next team member to go in - I gave him a heads up and said it wasnt a training session but a test. He spoke to me afterwards. He also was upset and said it felt extremely demeaning. Which I agree with. The third person due to sit this test was on a/l. She was back today and we warned her - gave her a chance to 'swot'. I think it was very sneaky and not nice - am I right to be upset about it.

OP posts:
RedHelenB · 02/08/2023 15:54

Well by warning them you may well end up as the worst of the bunch on this " test"

Original poster
Ceci03 · 02/08/2023 15:55

Yeh May well do but I don't like lying and don't want to collude with them at catching people out

OP posts:
Dotjones · 02/08/2023 16:02

Doesn't sound like a great work environment. If they think this sort of behaviour is OK then I'd imagine they're pretty poor generally.

momtoboys · 02/08/2023 16:11

That sounds like a terrible place to work.

Flisss · 02/08/2023 16:14

I hear you, but I can also see that watching where you all went wrong would help identify where the issues are and who needs more training. But it doesn't sound like the best way to have found that out.

calmcoco · 02/08/2023 16:17

That's awful. You are right to be upset.

I would consider it worthy of a grievance, but it depends on your organisation.

Are you looking for another job??

Original poster
Ceci03 · 02/08/2023 19:25

I'm getting to like the job a bit more now I've been there 6 mths. I really don't want to have to move again straight away . A good
few people are nice and there's always a couple you don't get on with I'm not naieve . I just still can't get over it being so sneaky. I'm not keen on the managers - one ignores us most of the time and the other one is quite aggressive sometimes which I don't like. Overall
Though they mostly leave us alone so I don't see too much of them. Sure maybe have a quiz or after the training set a little task but if we are all scared to admit a mistake and try to cover them up that's worse? Also they were badgering me to snitch which I thought was horrid. Playing us off against one another

OP posts:
Original poster
Ceci03 · 02/08/2023 22:29

Just bumping for advice whether to bring it up again or just say nothing

OP posts:
Womencanlift · 02/08/2023 22:35

What was the outcome of the test? Obviously you put yourself at a disadvantage by giving the others the heads up but did that warning have any impact on the results?

I get what you say about not want to be involved in a lie but if my job was on the line then I would be keeping it to myself

sorbets · 02/08/2023 22:36

Shocking treatment are you in a union?

AlisonDonut · 02/08/2023 22:39

It isn't ideal but it isn't illegal.

Maybe you all need to find out what these mistakes are and work out how to mitigate them.

thaisweetchill · 02/08/2023 22:42

You say you don't want to move jobs again but with how sneaky they've been I doubt you'll have the choice. I'd start looking for a new job that's a less toxic environment.

CrapBucket · 02/08/2023 22:44

It sounds badly handled, and I can see why it would be demotivating. But in the long term it’s better to be competent at your job than not… Especially if you’re doing air traffic control or something like that. If it’s something minor and micromanaging then that’s different.

Original poster
Ceci03 · 02/08/2023 22:49

I don't think my job is on the line . I asked was there a complaint or how did they become aware of these mistakes and to explain what they meant but they were quite vague. They said it wasn't a complaint. But the it had been brought to their notice that mistakes were being made the thing is 3 out of 4 of us were new back in Jan. We were thrown in the deep end with zero training and had to learn by trial and error so yeh there were mistakes but we corrected them. All 3 of us are very diligent and want to get it right

OP posts:
AnSolas · 02/08/2023 22:50

Do you have your own ID to log into your laptop and the computer system that you took the test on?

If you do the computer log can tell the managers exactly what mistake waa made, when it was made and which ID was used.

so if you can make sure that you change all your passwords to a very random logon asap and keep changing them weekly for a while.

I would also write up your training notes again including any tweeks that you have learned since you started.

Being observed is an auditing process as it show what is actually being done (your tweeks) against what management think should be done.

I would ask for an "improvement" meeting with the 3 to get details on the mistakes to see if you need extra training

Original poster
Ceci03 · 02/08/2023 22:54

Yes I will change my password good thinking. The thing is the managers don't even know how to do what I was asked to do so they will rely on the part time persons assessment. Ironically the managers sent round an email today asking if anyone could let them know if they needed training on anything to let them know. I really wanted to send a sarcastic message saying something like is this really about training or is it another test .

OP posts:
ParisP · 02/08/2023 23:14

This is a prime example of poor management. The induction and probation should have included most of the training required to do the job. Post probation gaps in knowledge should have been identified and supported in a constructive manner, team learning or what ever. Should have been positive and supportive.

Original poster
Ceci03 · 03/08/2023 00:03

Yes extremely poor management. I really want to say something or stand up for myself somehow but I should probably stay quiet or what do you all think

OP posts:
IntheJingelyJangelyJungle · 03/08/2023 00:06

This sounds like an awkward episode of The Office.

You sound solid. The managers and ‘expert’ sound like David Brent wannabes.

Original poster
Ceci03 · 03/08/2023 09:19

Should I just stay quiet now. I am writing long emails in my head explaining how demeaning the whole things was

OP posts:
PowerToTheGnomes · 03/08/2023 09:26

I’d be looking for a new job regardless
I wouldn’t trust them after being so sneaky

lljkk · 03/08/2023 09:26

I would feel demeaned & un-valued & not trusted.
I feel like if you have to tell them how bad it was then they cannot understand no matter what you say, so complaining will be pointless: that springing the tests on you should be obviously bad.

Could they be looking for a fraudster or a criminal? That is the one excuse for the subterfuge approach that I could half understand. How consequential are your possible mistakes, could someone be very harmed, could someone potentially be stealing ?

Glockamorra · 03/08/2023 09:31

I would absolutely say that inviting three staff members in for a fake meeting that turns out to be a surprise test designed to catch out errors this is an inappropriate and underhand way of managing a team. Point out that training was non-existent, hence the errors. They need to examine their training for new recruits.

AnSolas · 03/08/2023 09:57

Ceci03 · 03/08/2023 09:19

Should I just stay quiet now. I am writing long emails in my head explaining how demeaning the whole things was

What would change if you sent an email?
And who will you send it to?

@Glockamorra Correctly pointed how poor their management skills are.

They had 1 part-timer expert and 3 poorly trained staff.

At the moment they have 1 part-timer expert and 3 poorly trained staff who are thinking about leaving.

You can invest time in fixing the problem or looking for a better work environment.

Its the old question: where do you see your self in 1 / 2 5 / 10 years time?

ManateeFair · 03/08/2023 10:16

What an absolutely hideous working environment. A really weird, bullying approach.

Is that typical of the culture of the company? Or do you think it's more down to your individual manager?