Return after sickness- does this seem fair, or am I overthinking it?

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I will try to make this as short and clear as possible, but it’s a bit of a strange one.

I returned to work after a 10 month sickness absence. All was going okay, I have been doing my best contributing etc and receiving good feedback.

I’ve been put on a project group and I’m the most senior team member. However it has come to light, that a junior (to me) member of staff has been told they will lead it, though my manager told me that I would lead it. The head of dept. has given feedback that there is an issue with the group and wants to know what the problem is, as before I was there all was okay.

Behind the scenes I am leading most of the work, a listening ear for others who think the other member of staff leading isn’t a team player. I tried to feed this back, in a constructive way and it fell on deaf ears. Was told this other member of staff is a great and long and short is that they might move me off project and put me on a really complex project, with junior staff so the bulk of the work will fall on me. As well as coaching and trying to create an approach to a project no one wants to touch and will not be beneficial to my career or reputation. This is causing some stress and will lead to me working long hours, these things will not be beneficial in terms of the health issues and ongoing treatments I am having,

I have a strong track record, I manage a team of staff and have no history of issues working with others but feel that, because this other member of staff seems to be a favourite, I am being penalised and it may seem I am a problem employee. Other staff in the team at my grade aren’t treated in the same way and are clearly leading the projects they are assigned to.

I have asked for no adjustments on returning, despite there being a good case for me to ask for some, I did this because I want to demonstrate I am still capable and am delivering good results.

Anyway, I suppose the ask is, does any of this sound a bit of a stitch up and what would you do in this situation? I see one of two options:

1. Just go with the flow and accept what ever they put me on, just get on with it.

1. Ask for consideration to work on the project that I have much more knowledge on and request to work with at least one additional experienced member of staff.

That sounds tough. What jumped out at me is two different people have been told they’re running your project. Can you highlight this and ask what happened?

As previous poster, I would start off the conversation with why have 2 people been told they are leading the project, and then review next steps from there

I think I would go with 2.

Thank you!
Yes, I brought up that there seems to be a lack of clarity on who should be leading. This went down really badly, I was made to feel that I was being precious about not leading. The exact phrase used was, ‘well if you’re worrying about this kind of thing, you’re not that busy’.

I don’t have confirmed evidence on this, but I think the other member of staff has been promised a promotion but needs to get some experience as they are currently quite junior/inexperienced. So that is why they were told to lead on this. When I’ve raised it, I’m creating an issue. So they are seeing me as the problem, rather than supporting and enabling me to do my job!

I do have a meeting next week to discuss it with the head. However they are a really difficult character and can get really agitated and snappy if you don’t agree with exactly what they want. So to some extent it feels like a fait accompli, however as this could create issues in terms of my role and my place in the team, I feel that I need to at least highlight this so in future I have a right to show that I did all I could, they made the decision etc.

I should also add, I am absolutely fine not to ‘lead’, I am just feeling vulnerable after being off and receiving little support to reassert my role etc.

Surly just hearsay atm?

Was the sick leave stress?
Could they be trying to ease up your workload?

Yes, I think that is an important point @toanewstart22, I am self aware that I also probably a bit more sensitive after being off.

However the lack of clarity on who is responsible for what and the refusal to discuss or define that, just to move me seems a bit of a hammer to crack a nut.

Op, if you don’t mind me asking

Why were you off sick please and was this project already operating before you came back? Was this other person already leading it?

Ask for consideration to work on the project that I have much more knowledge on and request to work with at least one additional experienced member of staff

Sorry also what does rhis mean? Is the project rhe one you’re currently on and want to lead? Why do you need another experienced staff member if so? Was the project running previously with the other person leading with no issues?

Although their response in your meeting would indicate that perhaps relations between you and management aren’t “friendly”?

Sorry for not being clear!
The project wasn’t running, it commenced when I returned. However two people on the project now, had worked on a previous project that went well. Of those two people, one has been asking for support as the other person (the junior one leading) has been taking the credit, not listening to the. Etc etc. So I have been peace maker across that. So far I have led the direction and development as I know the most about the project areas.

I have a good relationship with management, they are just tough and complex, the whole team can be quite ‘toxic’, that is a separate issue!

The reason I need another member of experienced staff is that the project is a huge, maybe 3 year project and needs more than one experienced member of staff.

Off sick with significant health issue, not stress. Don’t want to be specific to retain anonymity.

Hope that clarifies things a bit!