Manager telling lies... HELP!

[Tinkerbella13]

Right... let's go:

I work from remotely from home, for a Luxury British Jewellery brand which I have done so since June 2021.

Last week my nephew (3y) had some issues with his nursery due to staffing issues, meaning they were closed on Monday and Friday (just a one off) so he came to ours. At home, it's me, my mum, sister and dad so plenty of people to look after him.

Usually I work from my room but due to building works, I was in the living room on Monday morning so my nephew jumped into my lap for our morning meeting - no issues with the team.

Same happened on Friday and again, no issues or so I thought...

Later that afternoon, I had a catchup with my manager and she was telling me how cute he was and I told her that the teachers (x2) have been taken sick so they can only open 3 days this week which isn't ideal but it happens. The more we spoke about him, I told her that he's very naughty and I could never answer calls him him in the same room otherwise he'd want to talk to the customers - she also comments that I was in a different room, to which I said due to building works where they were banging on my side of the room.

Anyways, today... She asks me to jump onto a meeting and presents me with a 'Letter of Concern' where it says that I've made her aware that I take care of my nephew on Mondays & Fridays, this is not true and was a one off. Also that there is concern that I cannot do my work to the standard required by the Company because he is screaming and shouting for the phone in the background.

She also mentioned how my contacts for the day were low - this would be because I was taken off contacts at 2:30pm and told to focus on drafting a project, so I'm annoyed this was used against me.

So you can see how our conversation on Friday has been completely taken out of context and is not true whatsoever... She has taken this to HR so concerns were not discussed with me beforehand at all.

Beyond angry is how I feel.

I don't understand where any of this has come from but to say I'm feeling pushed to resign wouldn't be lying, I just can't afford to quit but I will certainly be looking for a new job.

Any advice? I don't wish to speak with her anymore because I feel like she has made up lies about my situation in malice and now I will be closely watched despite being one of the best performing employees with KPI's.

While I can see how your manager might have misunderstood I don't agree with all the previous posters that you did anything inherently wrong!

I would send a response along the lines of what @Mangledrake has suggested.

State that you think there has been a misunderstanding and apologise if you gave the wrong impression.

Explain that you were NOT caring for your nephew.

Apologise for him being there for the 2 team calls and re-iterate that this was a temporary situation whereby your normal office was impacted by building works so you had to move room to take those 2 calls. On any other day this would not be an issue, as your nephew wouldn't normally be there but due his nursery closing for staff sickness he was home on those 2 days only.

Be clear that in future this will not be an issue as the building works are finished so should his nursery ever have to close again at short notice, he would not be in the same room as you.

I may be wrong but I took your OP as you were explaining to your line manager that you made sure he was not there when you were dealing with customers as he would have interfered, not that he actually did interfere?

Perhaps re-iterate that again and explain that the reason your call pick ups were lower was due to be taken off calls to deal with a project and not to do with your nephew.

I'd also copy HR.

I think it would be annoying to most people to see an unruly kid disrupt a work meeting. Not just the manager(s).

Be aware that they can terminate your employment as you haven't reached 2 years' employment rights.

you won't have a leg to stand on re discrimination as your nephew isn't your responsibility.

The more we spoke about him, I told her that he's very naughty and I could never answer calls him him in the same room otherwise he'd want to talk to the customers - she also comments that I was in a different room, to which I said due to building works where they were banging on my side of the room.

waaaay too much information.

from now on you really need to check yourself on what you say. Your manager had every right to issue the letter, they are not your friend even if you think they should be friendly and kind, they have authority over you in law and you stretched the boundaries at a time when they can let you go very easily, especially if you are easy to replace. Sorry to say it like that, be careful and don't relax in the things you say, you forgot yourself!

@Quveas You sound like a nightmare manager with zero compassion, wow