Screwed up at work

[LIG1979]

Since returning from mat leave I have been struggling with a new boss. He doesn't understand what I do and therefore does not understand its' complexity. (I am trying to do something no other big companies in our sector can do and he often expects the impossible from me.) he will not believe me about things but then will be fine if someone else then backs me up or makes a suggestion I have previously made and been cut down for.

Now I have made a mistake in the numbers I produce and this logic goes back 6 months or so. It was something an employee of mine did and ran through with me (and I explained to my boss) but he made a mistake which messed up the numbers but was difficult to spot. The employee was a contractor and I terminated his contract a few months back because of poor performance.

Back at work on Wednesday and now I am bricking it. Can this count as gross misconduct? I did notify my boss as soon as I found the mistake (when I could have easily hidden it.)

I have also always been a high performing employee and I am still perceived in the company to be one (by everyone but my boss).

Definitions/examples of gross misconduct vary across organisations, but basically it's something severe enough to irrevocably break the employer/employee relationship (e.g. theft, assault, serious breach of health and safety, extremely offensive behaviour etc).

You have made a mistake (or failed to spot a mistake), but have flagged it up at the first opportunity. You don't indicate the consequences of the error, which is relevant. But it sounds like you have a very good record. If there is a disciplinary investigation, I would expect worst case scenario would be a warning. There are mitigating points in your favour.

Have you tried talking to your boss about the other issues? Is there anything you do so that he can better understand your role?

It doesn't sound to me as if you have screwed up here. You have identified a problem, informed management on a timely basis following discovery, presumably have at least thought about the solution to fix with timesscales, resources etc. There may be other consequences eg to your financial accounts.

However I would be wary about the attitude changes following your return to work. I worked in a large financial services firm and returned to work part-time (it sounds as if you are too?) and different department. Within 3 months they were trying to get me out. It was very stressful and went on. The primary way a company can easily get you out is on performance. Start to document everything but be prepared as well to move on. I documented a lot and my grievance was partly upheld but nothing actually changed. I found that the most shocking.

Thank you - I think my main fear is that my boss is trying to get me out and finally he has reason to. It is not from the definition fascicle gave gross misconduct and it does not have financial implications for the company but the numbers are seen by the CEO each month so are quite important. But I will use both your justifications of how I did take the right action to resolve it.

It is also not just me - he also has an issue with another of his direct reports and another has left. (Out of 5 in total.) But for a long time he had an issue with me but couldn't do anything about it. He would over-ride me on things and I would explain he was wrong. Then when he finally realised he was wrong he would have a go at me for not standing up against him more.

Tiredandsadmum, I would look for another job but ttc no. 2 and have very good mat leave and flexible working. (I do 5 days in 4 which I know is a luxury and makes up for the fact I am underpaid for my role.) Did start sorting out an internal move but we had a recruitment freeze and the job got put on hold. Also, I loved my job before he started and don't want to give into him! He has however recruited a director between me and him and I am hoping that in a months time I won't have to deal with him. He is very hierarchal and only tends to deal with his direct reports and isn't interested in people lower down the food chain. Never thought I would be so happy about what is effectively a demotion. I do however intend to find another job whilst on mat leave with number 2 but so far ttc number 2 is taking longer than we would like. Sorry you had such a tough time returning to work - it is horrible that returning to work can be so difficult.

I did start keeping a diary but after one grilling where he was calling me a crap manager I explained I needed a boss that would support me and help me over hurdles and after that he had stopped having a go at me or talking to me much at all.

Sort of wish I wasn't on holiday tomorrow so I could get this over and done with. Have my annual review on Wednesday which will be fun. (Was tempted to not mention the figures till after that but thought it would make him even more mad if I did it just after.)

Just a quick update. Went better than expected today - my boss was fairly reasonable and whilst he gave me a good grilling it wasn't as bad as it could be. I think it was good timing as there was lots of bad news at work yesterday and so my issue seemed quite minor in comparison.

Now just got a month to go till my new boss starts and hopefully things improve.

That's great news. Perhaps your boss rates you more highly than you thought. Did you have your annual review as well?

Yes - it was good news. My annual review went better than expected but was still pretty poor but mostly because of this mistake. (Not sure if I hadn't made the mistake whether he would have found other things to have a go at me about.) I don't think he does rate me but I think the rest of the company rate me highly and if rated me too low, I would have had to go on a personal improvement plan and I don't think he would have liked to get HR involved in it all.

Just getting ready to meet my new boss next week so holding out that he will be an improvement.