stressed about manager aibu?

[singl]

I’m frustrated at the set up in my company. To illustrate: (not real example) say I’m a middle manager in the NHS who is responsible for A&E.

I have a line manager who just deals with my HR matters, he’s basically absent. He knows nothing about “A&E” so I can’t go to him for support on the subject matter. He’s closer to the rest of my same level colleagues as he does have expertise in their subject matters, he attends the same meetings as them, he works closely with them and their stakeholders etc. He shows no interest in my areas.

I have A&E managers I need to go to for my deliverables instead. The backstory is that my team used to be under A&E manager and got moved under HR manager.

anyway HR manager gets annoyed when I revert to A&E manager for things and I feel stuck in the middle. A&E manager wouldn’t approve something to be sent to HR manager’s friend and HR manager pulled me up publicly. Aibu to feel stressed at the lack of support and distinction between managers?

To add as well, HR manager puts blockers in place that impacts my A&E duties, which also impacts A&E manager. It’s shit

Ask him for a clear "chain of command" and who has authority/expertise in the decision making process. Where does the buck stop for various A&E related scenarios (give good examples) especially of things that are outside his area of expertise.

Get it in writing. And try not to stress.

Impacting A&E activities and the manager? that one is easy: it is for the A&E manager to sort out. Tell them to do that, and keep you in the loop

It’s also a difficult dynamic cause the team I manage respects A&E manager but not HR manager. I think HR manager wants me to change their perception of him. The person who was in the role before me actually left due to this dynamic

This chain of command sounds ridiculous & unsupportive. Why was the change in line command made? Do the (HR) manager & the A&E manager report to the same manager? If you're an RN, do you have a nurse consultant or ED matron who can advise?

No, I think they only have the CEO & the CEO’s deputy in common, from there they branch off under separate directors.

i don’t know the backstory behind why the split happened as it was before my time. I just feel like everyone’s pissed off with me for something that wouldn’t happen if I had 1 manager!

The department organisational hierarchy sounds unusual for A&E. Can you approach your union for advice on how to best manage this situation? It's difficult enough being a manager without having this additional stress that's out of your control

Oh A&E was just an example to illustrate, didn’t want to put my actual lead area as it’s outing. Public sector but only 1 team in UK

Fair enough. I hope you find someone who can give you decent advice to resolve this

Had a word,