To feel like we're not allowed to say anything any more (a work one)

[Eldermilleniallyogii]

I work in a professional corporate environment in a senior position, not the department manager but work at equivalent level and have a managerial and supervisory role in relation to junior members in the team. One member of the team does not pull her weight. She does less and it is lower quality work. As part of my role I manage and train people but this individual seems to complain to her team manager any time she is questioned. The manager appears to see the issues but it is becoming so tiresome feeling like whatever I say she's going to complain. Some of the things she complains about is ridiculous and she even seems to have a habit of calling the manager , crying, which even the manager thinks was odd.

Today I questioned how long it took her to do something, questioned further when she gave an answer that didn't make sense, but ultimately left it as I didn't want to outright accuse her of lying or making something up. Today she's claiming she can't help me with her usual work as she's busy doing other things so I am guessing she's complained and ask not to work with me. It's probably not a bad thing but after an otherwise stressful week at work (could do a separate post on that but I won't!) I just feel frustrated that part of my job is developing people but it's difficult if you meet resistance if you do so much as question or critique something!

I would advise her manager is writing tast she's her work is not at the expected standard both in terns of volume and quality. Confirm that any constructive critism has been met with negativity and hostility.

Ask manager to address it and if not, invest your energy where you are getting a return.

Your title doesn't match the post. What is it you want to say but feel you can't?

I’d be peeved to be questioned on how long a task took me. Maybe she’s feeling harassed?

This is what I was wondering?

Sorry I didn't realise my post was unclear!

The thing today was asking how long something took and then later today this person is claiming she's busy doing other things which I think means she's asked to be moved to work for someone else. The task in question took her about three times as long as it would normally take and I was trying to work out if there was an issue or if that's how long it usually takes. We have to monitor to some degree how long things take as it affects pricing.

There have been other things where I have said something and she has called our manager crying. Examples include her asking to miss an important meeting as she had an appointment but when asked when her appointment was it turned out there wasn't one and she then made up other reasons she couldn't come into the office and called our manager crying and complaining about being asked to do something an hour before her finish time in case it meant she would miss her train even though it was a task that should have taken about half an hour and I didn't say it needed to be finished that day. She simply called the manager and cried.

I'm saying when I raise anything she gets upset and I feel I'm walking on eggshells. The department manager has given me the option of not working directly with her which may be the right option.

But her complaints aren't getting anywhere and her manager knows they're spurious, so what's the issue?

It sounds like you very much can say things to her. I am not sure why you second-guessing yourself or imagining what's been arranged behind your back. The person who is not handling it well at all is her line manager. She's ineffectual and has been caught lying to get out of doing a task. Their manager knows it and did nothing whatsoever about it. It's her manager that needs to be told to manage staff properly.

I can’t quite work out the relationships here. Does her manager report to you or is the manager a peer? That’s pretty key here as to what power you have.

how long has this individual been with the company?

We both report to the manager but we are sort of peers as I am technically same level as the manager, I just don't do a manager role as I focus on other things.

I am probably overthinking as I am stressed with work anyway and this just adds to it. I knew when questioning her she wouldn't like it and would complain but also knew it was a reasonable question. When she emailed later on saying she was doing something else as agreed with the manager I just knew she had complained again and I suppose it makes me slightly anxious.

Manager has indicated she knows there are issues and the individual may even go on disciplinary due to issues with her work, not working full hours and the like, it as you say she seems ineffectual as nothing is happening or changing.

Just go with the option of not having to work with her. Then it's management's problem and nothing to do with you.

It's amazing how many people can't or won't do their jobs properly and get away with it and are not pulled up on it. I'd say public sector is worse for this.

It’s frustrating to work with someone as unprofessional as your colleague, OP. And while I think the way such issues are handled has changed a lot over the years, it seems clear from what you’re saying that in this case you can tell her what you need to and management have your back. You can’t make her not be a baby about it, but it isn’t an unmentionable issue.

I don’t think you need to ask not to work with her (unless you want to). You can just keep doing what you’re doing. She can keep crying to her manager. Eventually the manager is going to have had enough and put her on a performance plan. It takes forever, but it’s doesn’t matter that much.

So take a deep breath. Be glad someone else is actually managing her, document everything, and if she complains about you shrug to yourself and find other things to focus on.

Thank you for the advice. I think you're all right. The place I worked before was very direct whereas here it takes a lot for someone to be pulled up.