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Original poster

I am feeling down because of micro- managed

24 replies

lovetowin · 06/03/2023 20:25

I have started a new job. Currently going through training stage (not physical learning, all on computer)and managed by trainer at the moment through teams. I chat to my line manager through teams ( he works from home)There is also another manager, who runs the office and manage junior staff.

This week was intense with training and I took compressed breaks and finished half an early for most of the days.As i was leaving the office one day, office manager asked me in front of ten people that I shouldn't leave early.i was ashamed and didn't say anything at the point. Then he emailed my line manager about it.
Although my line manager didn't bring this with me as my line manager understands its hard to sit in teams learning all day.

I am feeling bad and can't stop feeling guilty. I feel as an adult he should have talked to me in private first.

Once a week, I also travel to learn from experienced people in my team and travelling takes extra couple of hours of my day which I am willing to commit as I want to learn.

It's give and take from both sides. But I am not feeling it.

I am also expected to start fifteen minutes and don't get paid for that.

How can I deal with it in a professional way?

OP posts:
Original poster
lovetowin · 06/03/2023 20:27

Please ignore the title. I meant to be editing it but posted too soon. Title doesn't make any sense at all Hmm

OP posts:
Cococomellonn · 06/03/2023 20:31

You probably shouldn't have taken it upon yourself to just leave early in a new job. Is that what you mean by micro managed?

Chowtime · 06/03/2023 20:31

You're not being micro-managed, you were just asked not to leave early thats all.

So don't leave early. Why do you have to start 15 minutes before you begin to get paid? What do you have to do in that time?

CremeEggThief · 06/03/2023 20:33

Please tell me you asked to leave early?

Original poster
lovetowin · 06/03/2023 20:34

I should not. But all the people going through training leaving early as trainer allows us to have less break than usual break so that we can go home early.I thought they did know about it.

OP posts:
Original poster
lovetowin · 06/03/2023 20:35

Chowtime · 06/03/2023 20:31

You're not being micro-managed, you were just asked not to leave early thats all.

So don't leave early. Why do you have to start 15 minutes before you begin to get paid? What do you have to do in that time?

Morning meeting at the start of the day

OP posts:
rookiemere · 06/03/2023 20:36

I would double check with your actual Line Manager that it is ok to take compressed breaks - presumably you agreed this in advance with them ? If you didn't then you need to ask, not assume its ok.

Also the 15 minute early thing is odd, and I'd ask for clarification on that too.

Generally though in a new job, I'd expect most of the give to be on the side of the new employee as give and take is usually once you know the ropes and the work place norms.

Original poster
lovetowin · 06/03/2023 20:39

@rookiemere My line manager has no issues with leaving early at all. He is very supportive but I see office manager four times a week , I feel really uncomfortable. I haven't handled it properly. I can't stop thinking about it and get past it.

OP posts:
pinkySilver · 06/03/2023 20:43

If you have only been in the job a short time you're getting to know the place and the way it works.
What does your contract say about the morning meeting? Are you paid hourly?

Original poster
lovetowin · 06/03/2023 20:46

@pinkySilver it says only weekly hours with one hour break. I work 35 hours 9 till 5 with an hour break. I don't get paid hourly.

OP posts:
Chowtime · 06/03/2023 20:48

The meetings start at 8.45 to make it very difficult indeed for parents who need to drop off children at school. It's deliberate.

Original poster
lovetowin · 06/03/2023 20:52

@Chowtime indeed, my children school doesn't open gates till 8:45. It's physically impossible but I drop them slightly early by 8 minutes so that I can make it to work by 8:45. My children are in year 6 and year 5 so they are okay to wait early by the gate.

OP posts:
pinkySilver · 06/03/2023 20:52

Ah I see. That's difficult. If you took a job that started at 9 because of school hours and then an earlier compulsory meeting was scheduled then you need to raise it. Hope it works out for you.

Original poster
lovetowin · 06/03/2023 20:56

@pinkySilver I don't know how to raise it if all the team members can make it. I will speak to my line manager about it.

OP posts:
Original poster
lovetowin · 06/03/2023 20:57

@pinkySilver I don't know the team very well so don't know whether they have parental responsibilities or not.

OP posts:
Original poster
lovetowin · 06/03/2023 21:19

Shall I send an email to Office manager, stating he can provide me specific feedback privately rather than the way he handled it by making me feel uncomfortable in front of whole office ?

OP posts:
Stokey · 06/03/2023 23:01

I wouldn't email the office manager. Talk to your line manager and ask him to deal with it if you have to, but in the interest of not getting someone's back up in a new job, I'd be inclined to let it go.

I also think it's generally wise to take your cue on leaving from the other people. It doesn't look great to be the first to leave when you're a new starter regardless of whether or not you've had a lunch break.

Original poster
lovetowin · 07/03/2023 07:12

@Stokey okay, I will leave the email bit.

OP posts:
MrMarkham · 07/03/2023 07:50

The office manager should have contacted your line manager about you leaving you early rather than calling you out in front of everyone.

You should have asked your line manager if you could take a shorter breaks and leave early before doing so ( I'm not clear if you did this in advance or not?)

I (personally) would also raise the issue of the 9am start time and say you're not able to start earlier due to school run and you were told the start time was 9am before you took the job. But if you've been leaving earlier without letting your line manager know in advance and getting the ok your ground is shakier on this I think.

It doesn't sound a very flexible place to work but when you're training you do really need to be there when the other trainees and trainers are there to get the most out of it. So being stricter on the hours isn't unusual during training in my experience, and you'll likely have more flexibility once you're self sufficient.

MiniTheMinx · 07/03/2023 07:58

I've just taken a 9-5 job with 1hr lunch break.

So far in four weeks.......not once taken lunch, not once not worked over time, I'm seldom at my own desk because I'm now mopping up the work of people I should be supervising who are ill constantly, and I've even worked the weekend!
Two thirds of the office sick, over two thirds of field workers sick too.

This is work in 2023. I honestly think OP you suck it up or you don't. The depressing thing is that there are plenty of jobs out there, but many organisations are not entirely transparent about their expectations, so it's impossible to know what you are walking into.

Original poster
lovetowin · 07/03/2023 09:04

@MrMarkham Training finishes early so I leave on that time if that makes sense. It's really intense training. Once I am off from Teams, I struggle anyway to do any more learning. But I am going to suck it up. I will start having lunch break at my desk. I feel really uncomfortable sitting next to the other team right at this stage. Guess It's happened for a good reason, I will watch my back carefully from this manager. Line Manager told me that I can leave early and don't have to tell the office manager. He will sort it out

OP posts:
Original poster
lovetowin · 07/03/2023 09:05

MiniTheMinx · 07/03/2023 07:58

I've just taken a 9-5 job with 1hr lunch break.

So far in four weeks.......not once taken lunch, not once not worked over time, I'm seldom at my own desk because I'm now mopping up the work of people I should be supervising who are ill constantly, and I've even worked the weekend!
Two thirds of the office sick, over two thirds of field workers sick too.

This is work in 2023. I honestly think OP you suck it up or you don't. The depressing thing is that there are plenty of jobs out there, but many organisations are not entirely transparent about their expectations, so it's impossible to know what you are walking into.

I know where are you coming from. I am going to start eating at my desk and mind my business

OP posts:
Lisaaas1 · 07/03/2023 20:55

MiniTheMinx · 07/03/2023 07:58

I've just taken a 9-5 job with 1hr lunch break.

So far in four weeks.......not once taken lunch, not once not worked over time, I'm seldom at my own desk because I'm now mopping up the work of people I should be supervising who are ill constantly, and I've even worked the weekend!
Two thirds of the office sick, over two thirds of field workers sick too.

This is work in 2023. I honestly think OP you suck it up or you don't. The depressing thing is that there are plenty of jobs out there, but many organisations are not entirely transparent about their expectations, so it's impossible to know what you are walking into.

I can absolutely second what you're saying here.I started a new job also, advertised as 9-5 but recruiter told me they'd be flexible around the times so either between 8-9 and 4-5. I opted for a start time of 830 as it allows me to drop DD.One week into the job and I was told I need to start at 8am twice a week to attend an AM meeting. Very annoyed as this was not mentioned in interview or when my hours were clarified before starting.

Basilis · 07/03/2023 21:03

Just ignore it and carry on. Sometimes it takes time to build trust. Do a good job, build a reputation. Don't be put off by one comment. Sounds like you're doing fine. I hated my job at first because of one manager. She's mistrustful of everyone. But easy enough to get along with really once you know she's like that with everyone.

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