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Original poster

New boss seems to have taken a dislike and given me a bad performance review

65 replies

WorkIssuesWhatCanIdo · 15/08/2023 18:38

I would appreciate some words of wisdom. I have worked for the same company in a senior position for several years and have always got on well and had glowing performance reviews. The old boss left a few months ago and a new one was hired. I have not changed the way I work other than trying to make a good impression by helping out the new one.

I had my performance review last week and it felt like a total character assassination. I was told I have a bad attitude, people have to redo my work and I don't deliver anything. I was speechless and am ashamed to say I cried. I asked in writing for examples, which they have not been able to give and so have just come up with more reasons why I'm terrible at my job (I'm not). I have provided written evidence in my defense for each of the points but I just keep getting more and more. What do I do? The only thing I can think of it that I'm part time. New boss has made it clear that they don't like this. It is making me ill. I loved my job until now.

OP posts:
MiniTheMinx · 15/08/2023 18:44

Start looking for a new job now.

Motnight · 15/08/2023 18:58

Have you an HR department, Op?

Sounds horrible.

Original poster
WorkIssuesWhatCanIdo · 15/08/2023 19:08

Looking for another job is difficult as what I do is quite specialised.

Yes we have HR, it is a big company.

OP posts:
icelollycraving · 15/08/2023 19:15

The examples given to you, is there any truth in them if you are a truly honest with yourself?

Original poster
WorkIssuesWhatCanIdo · 15/08/2023 19:20

I have asked for examples of things that needed to be redone but all they did was present me with a list of tasks I have worked on. I went through the list and provided proof that I completed the tasks successfully.

They also said others have to finish my work for me. This is sometimes true because they makes me hand things over before my non working days. I would prefer to finish myself but I have been explictly told to hand over. These are tasks that take several days to complete so I'm always going to run into this issue. I raised this as a potential issue (making it look like I don't finish things) with previous boss who said it wasn't an issue, the work is a team effort and I'm obviously contributing.

OP posts:
icelollycraving · 15/08/2023 19:22

Then could you ask how you can complete the tasks in your working hours?

daisychain01 · 15/08/2023 19:23

You may have to face the fact that no matter how competent you are in your job, a new Senior coming in is a vulnerable time for existing staff. They more than likely want their own crew and see it to be within their gift to treat existing staff badly, to demoralise and demean in an attempt to force them to leave.

I've seen it so many times, I've had it done to me. When I took on a new role and inherited a member of staff, I was determined not to behave that way and the person concerned is now one of my most valued team members.

if you believe you don't deserve the poor rating, book a meeting and face it off with the boss, to get a sense if they're trying to get rid of you, ask for specifics, discuss them in detail to find out eg if they are being deliberately petty and nitpicking "you booked a meeting room that was too small", "you arrive 30 seconds late", "your document had 1 typo in 20 pages", tell tale signs they're making it up as they go along.

Olika · 15/08/2023 19:25

Sounds to me like the new boss is trying to get rid of you. I would contact the HR.

Original poster
WorkIssuesWhatCanIdo · 15/08/2023 19:27

Thanks. I have lots of contradictory accusations in writing, so this person is not doing a very good job of trying to demean me. It is still upsetting.

For example, they said that my rating is "needs improvement" because for a couple of weeks my daily updates weren't detailed enough. They then further down said this issue was now resolved and not an issue. Bizzarre.

I should ask how they think I can fit it in to my working hours. They like asking me questions on my days off too.

OP posts:
Original poster
WorkIssuesWhatCanIdo · 15/08/2023 19:28

What do I say to HR? They said they are going to ask the other members of the team for their opinions on me. I have NEVER had this problem before. My previous boss was talking about a promotion this year and gave me an award for good contribution.

OP posts:
daisychain01 · 15/08/2023 19:29

Rereading your posts, you're on a hiding to nothing.

I would try to start looking for a new job, but if you have a long service history, don't resign, they'd have to take it all the way down the disciplinary route, and meanwhile submit a grievance. Include all your objections and their inaccuracies in writing, and submit to HR.

i hate to say this, but if he is US, they are particularly brutal and don't understand UK employment law, because in US many of their states operate At Will employment, aka clear your desk and be gone in 14 days.

Original poster
WorkIssuesWhatCanIdo · 15/08/2023 19:33

I just don't understand the mentality of people like this. This is a newly promoted person. What are they getting out of it?

It is a US company but boss is based in UK. I feel discriminated against for being part time. Maybe this is a grievance I could raise. Difficult to prove though.

Guess I should start updating my CV. I'm too old for this shit.

OP posts:
FeelinSpendy · 15/08/2023 19:59

Had a similar thing happen to me. It became obvious my new boss would never be happy with me and I suspected I would eventually be managed out. I raised a grievance with HR detailing all unfair accusations along with proof of my good work and strong prior record under previous boss. Net result was me leaving my job having negotiated a financial settlement.

Original poster
WorkIssuesWhatCanIdo · 15/08/2023 20:15

FeelinSpendy · 15/08/2023 19:59

Had a similar thing happen to me. It became obvious my new boss would never be happy with me and I suspected I would eventually be managed out. I raised a grievance with HR detailing all unfair accusations along with proof of my good work and strong prior record under previous boss. Net result was me leaving my job having negotiated a financial settlement.

It is actually reassuring that you were able to do that. I'm just so scared of being sacked and having financial trouble. I have some health issues that I wish I had disclosed to HR. I wonder if it would be a good idea to do it now.

OP posts:
OwlBabiesAreCute · 15/08/2023 20:17

Op, I had the same thing happen to me. I fought and fought and am still there, they have now left.

Are you in a union? Is there someone above them you get on with and can raise this?

Original poster
WorkIssuesWhatCanIdo · 15/08/2023 20:30

That's good to know @OwlBabiesAreCute No union for what I do unfortunately.

OP posts:
Original poster
WorkIssuesWhatCanIdo · 15/08/2023 20:44

OwlBabiesAreCute · 15/08/2023 20:17

Op, I had the same thing happen to me. I fought and fought and am still there, they have now left.

Are you in a union? Is there someone above them you get on with and can raise this?

How did you fight?

OP posts:
Jammylou · 15/08/2023 20:48

I manage a large yeam myself and if I were to raise performance issues I'd need to be able to evidence that.
I have also myself worked for a manager who took a dislike to me so I know its quite possible.
I don't think you should leave your job I'd ask for evidence.
Consult your union if you are in one and ask for representation at future meetings.

Whatyoutalkingabouteh · 16/08/2023 07:42

Are your health issues impacting performance do you think? Would they be considered a disability? If they are it’s worth disclosing so they can consider reasonable adjustments for you

DatumTarum · 16/08/2023 07:48

This bullying, sometimes called "managing out" but it's bullying all the same.

1: speak to your union if you have one. Acas if you don't

2: record and save everything, somewhere outside of the company. A personal email address for example.

3: keep a diary- detailed

4: ask for everything to be confirmed in writing

5: do not trust HR. Their job is to protect the company- not you.

6: consider is this might be discriminatory- race, age, sex, disability etc

I'd also start looking for another job but you might be able to get a decent settlement in the mean time. Your boss is a twat.

Original poster
WorkIssuesWhatCanIdo · 16/08/2023 07:50

I’ve doing my best to not let my issues impact work. I have a recently diagnosed thyroid problem and have been trying to get the medication right. I’ve also been on antidepressants for years and am awaiting an assessment for ADHD. Given that I have no formal diagnosis I don’t think I can disclose it.

OP posts:
Original poster
WorkIssuesWhatCanIdo · 16/08/2023 07:55

DatumTarum · 16/08/2023 07:48

This bullying, sometimes called "managing out" but it's bullying all the same.

1: speak to your union if you have one. Acas if you don't

2: record and save everything, somewhere outside of the company. A personal email address for example.

3: keep a diary- detailed

4: ask for everything to be confirmed in writing

5: do not trust HR. Their job is to protect the company- not you.

6: consider is this might be discriminatory- race, age, sex, disability etc

I'd also start looking for another job but you might be able to get a decent settlement in the mean time. Your boss is a twat.

Thanks. I’m going to start doing all of this today.

OP posts:
DatumTarum · 16/08/2023 07:57

WorkIssuesWhatCanIdo · 16/08/2023 07:50

I’ve doing my best to not let my issues impact work. I have a recently diagnosed thyroid problem and have been trying to get the medication right. I’ve also been on antidepressants for years and am awaiting an assessment for ADHD. Given that I have no formal diagnosis I don’t think I can disclose it.

Disclose it. They'll use it as a failure to inform and communicate if you don't

Original poster
WorkIssuesWhatCanIdo · 16/08/2023 07:58

DatumTarum · 16/08/2023 07:57

Disclose it. They'll use it as a failure to inform and communicate if you don't

Show quote history

How should I do this? Old boss knew informally but new one is not so approachable.

OP posts:
DatumTarum · 16/08/2023 08:01

I'd send an email "just to let them know" or FYI or however things are phrased at your place.

BCC your personal email address.

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