situation at work

[wantanewname]

I have been in the same job for seven years, before that worked in a similar field and have a degree in the subject. I am line manager to five people. It's a good job and relatively well paid and I'm lucky to be part time. 4 years ago I and my colleague took on someone who had no previous experience of the role but she went from admin assistant to a member of the team. She was/is very difficult to mangage and always coming up with smart answers etc.

Later we had a restructure and I still manage her but we both have another manager.

Anyway, last week a job opportunity came up - 1 grade higher than my current job and 4 higher than hers. A number of people applied but she got it meaning she will be managing my workload. I feel very undermined and upset, I was 'on paper' the best candidate, have by far the most experience and she will be very full of herself and I think will make my life very difficult now.

Theres no work out there though in my field and I can't afford to quit my job, just don't know what to do or how to handle it.

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Hi Want, gosh - this must be so hard for you. I really don't have any good advice but just wanted to say that I'd be absolutely distraught in your shoes. Just keep in mind the aim of work is to keep a roof over your head and have a few treats, don't let her chase you out. Also she might be a better manager than underling (for want of a better word) you never know

yes thank you. She has been very difficult but has has the edge being full time in knowing always whats going on if you see what I mean. I won't let her chase me out, certainly not with no job to go to but I feel awful and I bet she's very smug now.

That is a tricky situation, and I can see why you're hacked off. But I would say don't go in there expected the worst/braced for a fight, - it will be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You say this woman is 'difficult to manage'. Well, hurrah, - you no longer have to manage her! To have jumped four grades (in a field she has no previous experience in) she must be very good at her job, - this will make YOUR life easier.

It is a shame that you did not get the promotion this time, - but it will not be the last chance you get. Your employer clearly values you as they allowed you to go part time, and I'm sure you will continue to progress.

You have two options, - learn to work with this woman, or find another job. I suggest you give this woman a chance to work with you in a mutually respectful manner. If she does 'make your life difficult' keep a record of any acts of bullying etc.

If she really is a super-high flyer or the sun shines out of her bottom, she'll be promoted on again fairly soonish anyway.

If she's been promoted way above her level of competence, then you may have a problem as she might shift too much of her work onto you and blame you if things go wrong.

Put a smile on your face and play your cards close to your chest!

I don't think she is very good at her job tigermoll, I think she is good at pushing in and getting involved in things. She has often undermined me (when I was managing her) and I feel very upset by the whole thing.

I don't think she is very good at her job

She will probably get 'found out' PDQ, then. If she truly has got where she is by pushiness then she won't be up to the role assigned to her.

Sorry to hear that she is upsetting you.

Maybe her accelerated promotion is due to being the niece or 'squeeze' of the CEO, or daughter of the most important client etc etc.

no it's none of those - I work for a very big company.

I work with someone who I found very difficult, then she got promoted above me. Tbh, she is much better now, as she maybe doesn't feel like she is desperate to prove herself any more or something. She is actually very good at her job, as much as it pains me to admit it!

Maybe just keep an open mind and see how it goes, it might even end up being a positive thing.

Document everything.

If she tells you to do something, email her with a spurious query eg "you asked me to do xyz, can you tell me the required timeframe?" and keep copies.
If she tells you the response verbally, email back thanking her for the clarification eg "thanks for confirming that I need to do it by next Thursday" or similar.

I've been in a similar situation (not someone promoted over me, but a clash of personalities and general backstabby-ness) and covering my untoned and flabby backside was the best thing I ever did as there was a disciplinary due to repeated missed deadlines and blame was directed at me... except I was able to say that I had obviously been given duff info and "look, I asked X to confirm and she must have got it wrong coz I emailed her back thanking her as deadline wasn't so tight as I thought it might be..."

Amazing how the atmosphere changed after evidence appeared

You may want to post this on the Employment issues board.