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Original poster

Colleagues complained. Civil service

52 replies

Fishheaddoobydoo · 17/03/2023 20:54

Just found out 4(!)people have complained about me at work. I'm a line manager. None are my team apparently but I don't know much more.
One has mentioned bullying.
I'm not a union member. I've emailed the union in a hope they might represent me if I join. It's unlikely isn't it?
My manager told me tonight. It's formal because they are waiting for a decision maker to be appointed. I don't know anything about the allegations yet.
Im civil service
Ive changed username for this.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fishheaddoobydoo · 17/03/2023 20:56

I manage work flow for people not my line management chain on a Saturday so probably from here.

OP posts:
DrHousecuredme · 17/03/2023 20:57

That sounds really tough, I'm sorry.
With four people though I'm inclined to think that there's something in it.
Are you prepared to do some soul searching and try to move forward by changing the way you relate to people?

rwalker · 17/03/2023 20:57

think you need to find out what they’ve complained about first

Greensleevevssnotnose · 17/03/2023 20:57

No point worrying until you get written notification. My union GMB you have to be a member before they will assist you. They have helped me three times, well worth the subs.

Greensleevevssnotnose · 17/03/2023 20:58

Should say member for three months. Try not to worry

Luredbyapomegranate · 17/03/2023 21:00

I would think the union would represent you, or at least advise you. Give them a ring on Monday.

GoodChat · 17/03/2023 21:00

The union are highly unlikely to support you if you're not already a member.

Will they not tell you the basis off the complaints before someone's been appointed?

Original poster
Fishheaddoobydoo · 17/03/2023 21:01

I know I'm abrupt. I know one person told me that they didn't appreciate me monitoring them last week. I told them that I'm sorry but it's my job (it is) and did they need support.
One is probably them.

OP posts:
TennisWithDeborah · 17/03/2023 21:02

Do you think there is anything in it? Or could it be that they’ve been coasting and you’ve come in and cracked the whip, causing resentment?

Original poster
Fishheaddoobydoo · 17/03/2023 21:03

GoodChat · 17/03/2023 21:00

The union are highly unlikely to support you if you're not already a member.

Will they not tell you the basis off the complaints before someone's been appointed?

I've looked at the policy and it seems it has to go outside your management chain so my own manager probably doesn't know

OP posts:
Original poster
Fishheaddoobydoo · 17/03/2023 21:04

TennisWithDeborah · 17/03/2023 21:02

Do you think there is anything in it? Or could it be that they’ve been coasting and you’ve come in and cracked the whip, causing resentment?

This is my gut feeling as Saturday has always been seen as a 'sit off' day.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fishheaddoobydoo · 17/03/2023 21:06

Anyway I won't know until next week. I'm working tomorrow and will be second guessing everything!
Going to stick my head in the sand now.
Can't face telling my dh tonight as he will want to hash over it.

OP posts:
NerrSnerr · 17/03/2023 21:07

I know I'm abrupt. I know one person told me that they didn't appreciate me monitoring them last week. I told them that I'm sorry but it's my job (it is) and did they need support.

Could they possible feel they're being micromanaged? I had a period where a manager did this to me- I had no breathing space and everything I did was monitored (she even had access to our team's admin inbox and would monitor all the emails I sent them). It drove me insane (and our team celebrated when she moved).

TennisWithDeborah · 17/03/2023 21:09

Fishheaddoobydoo · 17/03/2023 21:04

This is my gut feeling as Saturday has always been seen as a 'sit off' day.

Show quote history

I thought as much.

I was a civil servant years ago. This might backfire on them if senior management scrutinises their Saturday output. I also recall that dynamic and robust people like you were often put in charge of failing/subpar teams in order to improve them. The team members moaned, predictably!

Original poster
Fishheaddoobydoo · 17/03/2023 21:12

reply2civilservice · 17/03/2023 21:09

I will look at these thank you

OP posts:
BellePeppa · 17/03/2023 21:24

No one likes working with abrupt people. If you’re ‘abrupt’ people probably don’t like you. Good managers don’t need to be abrupt to manage well.

Original poster
Fishheaddoobydoo · 17/03/2023 21:29

Yep. Maybe I shouldn't be a manager. I do have problems with social skills. I have thought this.

OP posts:
BessieSurtees · 17/03/2023 21:31

You admit you are abrupt, not a good management style, do you micromanage too is that what they meant by monitoring them?

Could the other 3 be from the same group, how long have you been managing their workflow?

PersonaNonGarter · 17/03/2023 21:34

It will be OK, OP. If you can’t think of a particular incident that anyone can point to then this is likely to blow over.

Do you think the people made a collective complaint? It seems unlikely they’d all decide on the same day to make individual complaints.

Eudaimonia5 · 17/03/2023 21:35

Being "abrupt" isn't nice for anyone. I imagine for those who are quite sensitive, it's even worse and can really knock their confidence.

If you know you tend to be abrupt, why haven't you done anything about it?

Unsure33 · 17/03/2023 21:45

Depends what you mean by abrupt . It’s not the same as rude . I have been accused of this in emails as don’t apparently write enough , I get straight to the point . But I am the same if you talk to me . Why say 50 words when you can say 10 . I just get on with my job and really dislike false and flowery narrative . ACAS may be able to help you and check your contract and handbook to make sure they adhere to the correct proceedure.

Sunshineboo · 17/03/2023 21:46

my best friend is abrupt. i prefer to think of her as direct and i sometimes think "what would she do" at work. Directness can be the kindest thing - especially when dealing with someone who is not performing or who is wondering why you are watching them.

do not roll over. wait to see the complaint. make sure you respond not defensively, but clearly.

on this date x did this so i told them y. i felt that this was appropriate because of a,b,c.

speak to acas and they can tell you what to expect. and remember just because something is being taken seriously and investigated does not mean you have done wrong. you have the right to reply.

also, people don't have to like you to work for you. it helps to be honest but it is not necessary.

Puffalicious · 17/03/2023 21:47

Eudaimonia5 · 17/03/2023 21:35

Being "abrupt" isn't nice for anyone. I imagine for those who are quite sensitive, it's even worse and can really knock their confidence.

If you know you tend to be abrupt, why haven't you done anything about it?

This.

Also, you can't just use the services of a union when you fancy it/ have done something wrong. That's not the philosophy behind them. Sorry, but completely your fault for not being in a union. Why are you not in one? That's another indicator that you're not a team player.

PhillySub · 17/03/2023 21:54

I doubt that any union would take you on and support you through a pre-existing situation at the drop of a hat, I thought that the rule of thumb was 6 months. However, there is nothing wrong in asking for one of them to support you as a friend with the benefit of their knowledge if they are open to that. It would be expected that you join the union though. You have said that you have problems with social skills. If management are going to use you to raise the performance of identified underperforming teams then maybe you should start paying your dues so that you know that somebody has your back.

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