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Original poster

To think I've been given a verbal warning or even shown the door?

275 replies

chatenoire · 26/10/2023 06:36

Hey ladies!

I've told you about this saga before, but I feel like if I read between the lines, I was either given a first verbal warning or kindly shown the door.

My boss told me that she's noticed a complete decline in my performance in the past two months. I however know that yes maybe in August? I noticed things were starting to go south, but looking at emails/calendars it was early September.

Anywho, it was multifactorial but overall my manager gave me a few options:

*That she'll support me to move to another company in case I'm unhappy (I assured her I'm not, but she mentioned it twice).

*That I can move to a different team (she told me to tell her by next week as she'll meet that manager)

*Work on my current role.

She however did ask (twice) to at least do my basic job correctly (help her to help me).

I do feel a bit stuck, but I think it's because they started pointing things at me and not necessarily because I was terrible to begin with. I also think that because my core workload is low, my output is also low, so it's easier to see mistakes.

OP posts:
Original poster
chatenoire · 26/10/2023 10:40

LuluBlakey1 · 26/10/2023 10:36

I can not actually pull out if all of this what the problem is. I have no sense of what you actually do- other people sell something which somehow creates work for you but they haven't sold much and you have only had 8 of these 'things' passed to you (to do whatever you do with them)in the last few months and 3 you say you haven't completed well. You seem almost surplus to requirement at times, you seem quite happy to have had a greatly reduced workload for months, your manager can't identify anything you have made errors with but wants to move you on, you don't get on with some colleagues but you are very happy there.
It's all sounding very vague to me almost as if you go in, occupy a desk, don't do much, fill in a few forms, don't get on with other staff , have a dull day and then go home. I'm not sure why you want to stay.
Would you not be happier if work was interesting and challenging and you excelled at it?

Absolutely the last point! Which is why I wanted to have a hybrid role with one of my side projects, so I could get my hands dirty with what I find interesting, but I was told no.

OP posts:
AppaTheSixLeggedFlyingBison · 26/10/2023 10:49

If you enjoy the work on the team she has suggested you move to, and they are happy with the work you do, then why not move?

AlohaRose · 26/10/2023 10:52

Which is why I wanted to have a hybrid role with one of my side projects, so I could get my hands dirty with what I find interesting, but I was told no.
Well if the company are not happy with the quality of your work in your current role why would they move you to a role which sounds like it has even more responsibility?

Are you prepared to say what your job is and what the new role they are proposing in another team would be? It's very confusing for people to try and understand what you do or what advice would actually be helpful?

Original poster
chatenoire · 26/10/2023 10:55

AppaTheSixLeggedFlyingBison · 26/10/2023 10:49

If you enjoy the work on the team she has suggested you move to, and they are happy with the work you do, then why not move?

I don't know if he'd take me! He did tell me once he wouldn't take my colleague who originally interviewed with him. We have a very good relationship though, so I know I'd be happy under his wing.

OP posts:
TheLonelyGoatTurd · 26/10/2023 10:56

Blimey, OP, your posts read as if they're written by AI. Is there a language issue, or is written communication something that you find difficult?

Can you go back to basics and ask for a meeting with your manager, with the aim of finding out exactly where you stand? It sounds like you don't have much to do, but are still not doing it well. Is that because you need more practice (ie if you were doing more than 8 of these 'things' you'd be better at it) or do you need more training? Or are you just not good at this job? No shame in that, we all have places where we fit or don't fit.

Your current situation doesn't sound like it's working, so I think you need to explore moving to this other team (provided you can ascertain what the job is and whether you'll be good at it) or changing company entirely.

ActDottie · 26/10/2023 10:58

Tbh what your manager is doing all sounds very reasonable and she’s happy to support you in all three options - which realistically are the only three available to you.

Original poster
chatenoire · 26/10/2023 10:59

AlohaRose · 26/10/2023 10:52

Which is why I wanted to have a hybrid role with one of my side projects, so I could get my hands dirty with what I find interesting, but I was told no.
Well if the company are not happy with the quality of your work in your current role why would they move you to a role which sounds like it has even more responsibility?

Are you prepared to say what your job is and what the new role they are proposing in another team would be? It's very confusing for people to try and understand what you do or what advice would actually be helpful?

It doesn't have more responsibility it's just a completely different job. Think Product Management Vs Account Management.

I'm very good with data analysis and reporting, I enjoy all of that. I'm very much a believer in data driven decision making.

I can't do any of that here. Nor give trainings.

OP posts:
Scirocco · 26/10/2023 11:00

I don't think any reasonable manager is going to approve a hybrid role when you are showing them that you can't cope with the basics of your core role now.

If your colleague has more work coming in, then it would have been more reasonable and appropriate for you to arrange with them to re-balance the workload. To scale down my own work to comparable numbers, if I have 20 places sending me in referrals and a colleague has 40, then unless they're sending me in huge numbers to balance out the amount of work generated, I'll take on referrals from 10 of their places so that we each have similar workloads.

Your core job is the most important bit. That's what you've been employed to do. If you're being told that you aren't doing it well enough, then if you want to stay in that role, you need to improve. Quickly.

If you don't want to move, then I'd suggest working with your manager on a detailed improvement plan, cutting down your other work to prioritise the core work (the bits that are actually your job description and that you may get fired if you don't do well), and addressing any issues impacting on your ability to do your work effectively.

If you'd prefer to move to one of the other teams, you're lucky enough to have that option, so take it rather than waiting to go down a disciplinary process for performance concerns.

It sounds like you've got a few stressful things on your plate at the moment outside work. I think if people are honest, a lot of people have periods where life outside work impacts upon coping at work. You need to find a way to cope, though. Reducing non-core work could help, as could seeking appropriate support for the issues outside work. It can also help to keep your line manager aware of big issues such as major health worries or carer responsibilities - they may be able to refer you for occupational health support, counselling services or any company policies for parental/carer leave.

rookiemere · 26/10/2023 11:01

Honestly I don't think you have a lot of choice except to see if this other manager will take you.

It sounds like your manager quite likes you but is struggling to get you to work to the required standard. It also sounds like you would quite like to be micromanaged but that's not how most people like to manage.

She probably doesn't want to go down the formal performance management route as it's a complete pain for everyone, so I'd grasp the lifeline that's offered and hope it works out.

spitefulandbadgrammar · 26/10/2023 11:02

Without being outing, can you give us specifics about what it is you actually do, in what industry, and why? Because currently no one on this thread can help based on the strange information you’re giving.

Something like: my company supplies goods and services to the hospitality industry – we don’t host events ourselves or hire out events spaces, nor offer catering, but we provide items such as frozen crab cakes for other operators to use in their catering. My job is to check the crab cakes have been packed correctly by Team A, which I do by filling in a form and ticking off the crab cakes and other items, such as the ice we pack them in. Recently, Team A haven’t received as many crab cakes orders – I’ve only had eight boxes to check. Of these, I miscounted five. But that’s because I’d rather work with Team B, who make and supply tablecloths.

Hmindr68 · 26/10/2023 11:11

Your manager has offered to meet that manager. It sounds like you don’t need to make any approaches. You’ve nothing to lose by letting your manager know you’d like to see if you can move to this team.

Hmindr68 · 26/10/2023 11:12

My bet is that your company provides software…

PaminaMozart · 26/10/2023 11:15

I agree with @Janieforever . Also, you say that you "don't like some of (your) direct colleagues (or clash with them) but think that's just natural".

Seriously??!!!

Another poster has mentioned that you have posted about this on several occasions. What's actually going on?

anunlikelyseahorse · 26/10/2023 11:19

Your manager is telling you to either improve your performance, or move job roles.
Your two years is almost up, and your manager is saying 'improve or move or you'll be out of a job.'
Do you understand what your role involves? Do you understand you need to improve your performance? Do you understand how to improve your performance?
You need a very clear plan, you need to start again and get a thorough understanding of what is expected of you, because at the moment it's clear you are not managing in your current role.
You mention minor mistakes, but why are you making mistakes in the first place?
You need to break down each task, and then complete each section of the task ensuring no errors are being made, a bit like making a cake, you make the sponges, then the filling, then ice it and tadah one beautiful cake.
If at any point you are not sure about something, ask for clarification. Your manager clearly wants you to succeed, so don't worry about asking for help.
Forget the 'hybrid' working at the moment and focus on your area, once you've mastered that, you can look toward increasing your skill level.

horseyhorsey17 · 26/10/2023 11:32

It sounds like you're in the wrong job/career if even you know your 'output has declined' ie that you're performing really badly. I haven't read the rest of your posts so don't know what industry you're in, but it actually sounds like your manager has been pretty generous giving you a heads-up and opportunities to improve your performance. Why aren't you either taking them, or leaving?

Janieforever · 26/10/2023 11:57

I find your posts difficult to comprehend. Generally as a manager I can spot another manager posting. I had assumed you were a relatively junior administrator from the way you phrase things and your general confusion . And I am very surprised you are manager level and so senior you at one point had hundreds of indirect reports.

why are you no longer at this level. And what has occurred that you are now being effectively managed out?

Original poster
chatenoire · 26/10/2023 12:01

horseyhorsey17 · 26/10/2023 11:32

It sounds like you're in the wrong job/career if even you know your 'output has declined' ie that you're performing really badly. I haven't read the rest of your posts so don't know what industry you're in, but it actually sounds like your manager has been pretty generous giving you a heads-up and opportunities to improve your performance. Why aren't you either taking them, or leaving?

I wouldn't call it really badly!

I never said I'm not taking them, the call to improve just happened. The other stuff was too vague, and because it left me second guessing of what feedback was for me, it definitely knocked my confidence over. Which did make me look at the grass being greener.

They told me to get my hands dirty on a different role within my same team (which I'm fine with as a learning experience) but I don't think I'd necessarily like it.

So learning at my own pace = good

Having to start running from the get go because it's a huge project = feel like I'm being set up to fail

OP posts:
Original poster
chatenoire · 26/10/2023 12:04

Janieforever · 26/10/2023 11:57

I find your posts difficult to comprehend. Generally as a manager I can spot another manager posting. I had assumed you were a relatively junior administrator from the way you phrase things and your general confusion . And I am very surprised you are manager level and so senior you at one point had hundreds of indirect reports.

why are you no longer at this level. And what has occurred that you are now being effectively managed out?

Well it became difficult to get that sort of job again. I didn't know how to even put it in my CV.

However I did get an offer for something very similar for a HUGE company but had to not take the offer as I had to relocate.

So from that point onwards I've moved around to whatever I can find. I was blissfully happy though up to 2 months ago.

OP posts:
Pinkdelight3 · 26/10/2023 12:06

I can not actually pull out if all of this what the problem is. I have no sense of what you actually do- other people sell something which somehow creates work for you but they haven't sold much and you have only had 8 of these 'things' passed to you (to do whatever you do with them)in the last few months and 3 you say you haven't completed well. You seem almost surplus to requirement at times, you seem quite happy to have had a greatly reduced workload for months, your manager can't identify anything you have made errors with but wants to move you on, you don't get on with some colleagues but you are very happy there.
It's all sounding very vague to me almost as if you go in, occupy a desk, don't do much, fill in a few forms, don't get on with other staff , have a dull day and then go home. I'm not sure why you want to stay.
Would you not be happier if work was interesting and challenging and you excelled at it?

I thought this poster made some good points but you only responded to the last one, agreeing with it. Is the rest of it a reasonably accurate summation? It's really hard to tell from your posts as you're focusing on whether you're learning things etc rather than the more urgent matter of performance. That's why it sounded to another poster like you were much more junior as you were all about what you're getting out of it rather than a bigger picture view of whether you're fundamentally meeting the business needs or not.

Original poster
chatenoire · 26/10/2023 12:25

Pinkdelight3 · 26/10/2023 12:06

I can not actually pull out if all of this what the problem is. I have no sense of what you actually do- other people sell something which somehow creates work for you but they haven't sold much and you have only had 8 of these 'things' passed to you (to do whatever you do with them)in the last few months and 3 you say you haven't completed well. You seem almost surplus to requirement at times, you seem quite happy to have had a greatly reduced workload for months, your manager can't identify anything you have made errors with but wants to move you on, you don't get on with some colleagues but you are very happy there.
It's all sounding very vague to me almost as if you go in, occupy a desk, don't do much, fill in a few forms, don't get on with other staff , have a dull day and then go home. I'm not sure why you want to stay.
Would you not be happier if work was interesting and challenging and you excelled at it?

I thought this poster made some good points but you only responded to the last one, agreeing with it. Is the rest of it a reasonably accurate summation? It's really hard to tell from your posts as you're focusing on whether you're learning things etc rather than the more urgent matter of performance. That's why it sounded to another poster like you were much more junior as you were all about what you're getting out of it rather than a bigger picture view of whether you're fundamentally meeting the business needs or not.

Well yes I'm a surplus at times (that's known by everyone).

The only mistakes are what I've mentioned, nothing else.

I'm useful for the company I'm a jack of all trades and have been used by 2-3 departments

OP posts:
sandyhappypeople · 26/10/2023 12:26

chatenoire · 26/10/2023 12:04

Well it became difficult to get that sort of job again. I didn't know how to even put it in my CV.

However I did get an offer for something very similar for a HUGE company but had to not take the offer as I had to relocate.

So from that point onwards I've moved around to whatever I can find. I was blissfully happy though up to 2 months ago.

Show quote history

I was blissfully happy though up to 2 months ago.

With kindness, I think blissfully ignorant may be more fitting.

Neriah · 26/10/2023 12:28

OK. Last try at this...

You may have been "blissfully happy" until recently (despite all your posts to the contrary, it seems). You may love the company. You may have a thousand excuses for why nothing is your fault, your problem, or whatever.

You manager is telling you that THEY are not blissfully happy or in love with your work, and you either improve your performance (which you seem to be repeatedly saying you can't or won't do for various reasons that are not your fault), or you transfer to another job in the company (if they want you) or you will be dismissed.

You've said that what you have always wanted is a hyrbrid role with one of your "side projects". Let me tyranslate that for you. You want your manager to let you do things that are not your job, in the way that you want to do them, where you want to do them and not do the job that you were employed to do!

Your manager seems to have been both very clear and very flexible.

No matter what lengthy explanations you post here, no matter what great reasons you think you can come up with, the manager does not care. You are going to get sacked if you don't do something very decisive, so you need to stop making excuses and decide which of the options your manager is offering is the one you will take.

Neriah · 26/10/2023 12:31

I'm useful for the company I'm a jack of all trades and have been used by 2-3 departments

You are not useful for the company. They are threatening to dismiss you for performance reasons!!!!!! And honestly, in two years you have been handed around 2 - 3 departments and your current manager wants tyo move you somewhere else. Please read the writing on the wall. I am sorry, but you are being delusional if you think any of this is about you being good or valuable to the company

PaminaMozart · 26/10/2023 12:33

Neriah · 26/10/2023 12:31

I'm useful for the company I'm a jack of all trades and have been used by 2-3 departments

You are not useful for the company. They are threatening to dismiss you for performance reasons!!!!!! And honestly, in two years you have been handed around 2 - 3 departments and your current manager wants tyo move you somewhere else. Please read the writing on the wall. I am sorry, but you are being delusional if you think any of this is about you being good or valuable to the company

^

Haffiana · 26/10/2023 12:35

Reading your responses makes me think this is very, very possibly a neurodiversity issue, OP. I have worked with ND colleagues and I recognise this inability to see error and embrace correction rather than bang on about what you think the ideal role for you would/should be. It may be that you are literally unable to see that this is what you are doing and therefore coming across as frustratingly dismissive?.

Can you explain to your manager that you are being assessed, and work with her to provide steps for yourself that you can understand?