Hi MNetters, some advice please.
Backstory: DH works in education and was made redundant during a restructure from a job he loved and was great at. At that time, instead of redundancy he was offered a ‘similar’ role in the same institution on a trialled basis for a month. It was very different, and coupled with remote pandemic working, it didn’t go well.
Long story short, instead of offering him training and support, his manager handled him out of the position after 3wks, where they tried to create evidence of incapability in quite a malicious way. He was so shocked and hurt by this, as this manager had previously been a peer worker before the restructure, and he thought they had a great professional relationship. So he just chose redundancy and was completely demoralised for months.
Couple of years later, he’s had a few short contracts, but no permanent job. He’s heard on the grapevine that the ex-manager had to go on sick leave due to stress shortly after he left, and has since taken a demotion. DH now wonders if the ex-manager acted out of character because of mental health issues.
Fast forward to today, DH applied for a different job at the institution, and was offered an interview. In the email, it mentioned that this ex-manager (in this demoted role) would be on the interview panel.
DH is concerned about the ex-manager. They will not manage the role, but they may be biased and negatively influence the panel.
The other issue is that DH has been offered an interview for second role in the same institute and while this ex-manager is not on that panel, the same HR people are. DH’s worry is that if he goes to the first interview, and the ex-manager gives poor unbiased feedback in the interview for the first role, this might influence the views of HR, who are also on the panel for the second role. He’s desperate for a secure job.
How would you play this? Any advice would be v much appreciated. Thank you.