To have frank discussion with my manager?

[Ooooooooy]

My manager is currently on a temporary promotion so could stop being my manager in the coming months…but he also might be the successful applicant for the permanent job campaign. There’s a big is he/isn’t he staying question

He’s also SHIT at his job.

I’m not sure whether to raise concerns with him or not - as chances are it will fall on deaf ears, or he may not be here long enough to change. Equally though, his unprofessionalism impacts my job and causes me extra work and frankly more stress so not raising anything isn’t working out. I feel conflicted because it’s basically him not following procedures properly, causing major issues elsewhere, and constant poor communication, angry outbursts etc so there’s no way I can “gently” manage upwards. It needs to be a frank “this was the impact, this causes these challenges. Let’s do it this way instead” sort of chat.

I'm not sure what you're seeking here, advice? Support?

my question is AIBU to raise concerns with him now, baring in mind he could be leaving, when alternatively I could bite my tongue

In my experience it's pointless raising it with people like this (the angry outbursts are a clue to how this will likely be received) and you'd be better going over his head with concrete evidence or sucking it up, depending on how unbearable it is.

Surely if he’s unprofessional, doesn’t follow policy and procedure, and has angry outbursts in front of colleagues that’s an issue to be raised with his manager, so they can develop him in his new role.

His manager (senior) is quite untouchable/unapproachable though. He wouldn’t want this brought to his attention imo - I doubt it would land well. He’d probably be annoyed with me for daring to bother him! Very old school type of leadership

What you really need to avoid is a situation where you piss off your manager, then he goes to his manager and tells him a load of rubbish/blames all his incompetence on you and you get all the blowback for his incompetence, which is what concerns me about bringing it up with him as bad managers sometimes gang up on people.

I think if you've got bad managers higher up as well, this sounds like a workplace that rewards incompetence. If it's not the Civil Service, Forces or Police, I'd suggest a new job (I get the impression it's very hard to move in those three jobs).

@SisterMichaelsHabit thanks for posting, super insightful…it is the civil service

I would not raise it. However, I would meticulously document absolutely everything.

To cover your Rs, basically - because if he is as incompetent as you say, the shit will hit the fan sooner or later, and he will blame others/you rather than accept responsibility.

Would recommend the website Ask A Manager. Loads of advice on this type of situation! Also great for workplace dilemmas in general.

Yes absolutely raise it. You can do it in a way that’s not making him feel rubbish, but also makes very clear that his action, or lack of it, is impacting on you. Even if he goes he should know the impact