Feel Bullied

[hargun]

Hi All. Need some help here.
I have just started a new job and since day 1 I am being told off for nothing.
Just after few days my manager said he was frustrated because I didn't start something straight away as soon as I was asked to work on something and second time that I didn't ask for permission if I can come back to work after I had to stay at home off sick.
He said to me I am wasting my time and do nothing. I have experience in tax and accounting and current job is accounts payable analyst, he says I am incompetent because of those two wrong things I did and the fact that I leave exactly at 5:30 to pick up my daughter, I am not committed enough or should log in after work to finish what I started no matter how busy my life is. Am I being bullied?
I am told what to exactly write in excel sheet as well which is just for my own reference.

I don't understand your last sentence.

It is normal to keep in contact with your manger when off sick and advise them that you are back / will be back in. I am not clear how you think this is unreasonable, so what is it that you don't feel is reasonable?

Why didn't you start working on the thing straight away - again, it may or may not be reasonable, but we can't guess at the circumstances, so you will have to explain.

It seems that there is certainly a breakdown in communication here, but given we don't understand the circumstances, it is impossible to say whether there is bullying.

But even if there is - you just started a new job. You can complain. They can easily dismiss you. what do you want to happen, and how realistic is that?

Hi Jalisco, thanks for your message.
I understand I should let him know when I am working or not but he clearly said I should ask for permission.
I have been nitpicked for an excel sheet that I created for own reference as to how much work I completed. He said I don't know how to record anything properly and wasting time.
In last two months I worked as much as possible, clearly I saw them hiring inexperienced people and they spend weeks training them.
I received training only two days and expect to know everything.
Their work culture includes asking for permission for each and everything I do and been asked about what task I am working on every two hours. I have to create a report everyday explaining what tasks I finished as well.
After all these incidents, I did exactly what he asks me to do but he has written all these incidents in his diary and keeps reminding me of those in every meeting and makes me feel bad.

I’d start looking for another job - you aren’t keen on the work culture, some companies ask their staff to fill in timesheets - sure it’s annoying but it’s not unreasonable. you and your boss have got off to a poor start, you don’t respect each other I’m sure it’s relatively easy to move jobs at the moment,

I noticed your written English isn’t perfect, not sure how to put this but if you are from overseas you may be experiencing workplace prejudice or racism. Does your manager speak to you like that in front of other people or is it private?

I'd also suggest looking for another job. Don't think this will improve, maybe as a PP has suggested above.

Unless you feel HR or a more senior manager will support you if you try and address this.

Personally this has all the signs that say look after yourself and leave. ASAP. If you've not been there long you may only have to give a weeks notice. I'd consider temp work whilst you look for a permanent job.

I think some things are lost in translation here, as I am assuming you are not native English speaker. For example I have never ever heard of anyone asking permission to return it work after being sick and I am sure he didn’t mean that, it sounds like it was more about keeping in touch and letting him know. I am also puzzled about the bit where you are keeping records of what you have done, he has told you not to waste time doing that, but then you say you have to keep a record of what you have done, it makes no sense. As to whether you should have worked on the matter you were asked to immediately or not, well nobody can say without context, perhaps it needed doing straight away, again communication breakdown seems an issue as either he didn’t convey the urgency or you didn’t pick up on it or both.

Finally the leaving at 5:30pm, I have spent my career in a professional accountancy environment, we are very well paid and expected to work the hours required. In 30 years I never had a job where leaving at 5:30pm would not be considered the bare minimum, it is the way it is, I am not saying I agree. But I would not expect accounts payable staff to be working anything but standard office hours, not sure which you are.

Anyway, this isn’t working and it does sound like your boss has taken a dislike to you, I would go along with the best thing to do is find another job.

Yes I am afraid I agree. If it isn't working out it is time to cut your losses and move on. I am not 100% sure that the entire fault is with your boss - I think I might also question things like making a spreadsheet for your own use when there is work to be done. But equally if you haven't had enough training, that is poor. I don't think it's worth investing in trying to make a relationship work if it is off to such a bad start. Sometimes people don't click, and this seems to be one of those times.

Thank you all for your messages.
It's true I am from a different country and my English is not perfect.
The facts I forgot to mention that I was given a warning of termination in the meeting and he does not say anything to me infront of other people.
I started creating excel sheets because we cannot keep any Hard copies for our reference.
He supported the fact I create excel sheet and asked me to make changes to make it look more detailed which I did.
This morning I was called in again to give me a warning that I would have to ask him everything big or small, yes permission to come back to work as well after being off sick and I would be reviewed every week and any mistake next time will result in immediate termination

Then I am afraid it's a done deal - you need to find another job and quickly, because this one is not going to work out.

Hi Everyone.Thanks for your messages and support.
An update: I was finally put onto two weekly review and finally sacked today.
Wish I could find a job first.
Was told I make too many mistakes, given my experience it is unacceptable.

@hargun Please ensure they pay you the following

• statutory notice period of 1 week
• any accrued holiday - if you're full time that could be 1 day but check with them.