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

[WorkIssuesWhatCanIdo]

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.

Absolutely everything in writing. If it's a virtual meeting or phone call then follow up with an email that covers the points discussed in the call. Bcc everything to your personal email address.

Get a grievance raised with HR. The basis of the grievance is that this performance rating is totally out of step with previous ratings, that despite requesting evidence you have been given none, and that the examples used are inaccurate (the handing work over before you finish is a good one). That you are concerned that your manager appears to be targeting you, you aren't sure why but that she is made it clear she does not like you being part time, and that this is affecting your well-being.

Do not have discussions about your performance alone with your manager. If she wants to talk to you, tell her you need a union rep or witness or member of HR in attendance - as you have raised a grievance relating to your performance review it would not be appropriate her to discuss this with you one to one.

And while this is going on, keep on top of your job - be as clean as a whistle, document everything and trust nobody. Plus job hunt. Best case scenario is to try and walk away with a compromise agreement where they pay you a settlement.

Ps the advice that HR are not on your side is correct. They are there to protect the company not you. If you're in a union then get your rep involved. If you aren't then check your home insurance for legal cover as this sometimes covers employment disputes..

Can I get into trouble for sending work related email to my personal address? I’m sure there is some sort of company policy about this

That is against our company policy, it might even be considered gross misconduct - you'd need to check yours though. But I'd be surprised if they were ok with that.

You don't need to cc in your personal email address, but you could get a flash drive and move emails over to it to use if/when the time comes to evidence.

*bcc

I’m in almost the exact same position OP. It’s so stressful isn’t it. My (US-based) manager set out her three issues with me in an email. They are easily rebutted so like a PP said, it feels more like bullying.

I spoke to her and politely said that I wasn’t going to defend myself and that I’d keep that powder dry for if it’s needed. I reiterated my (demonstrable) commitment to the business and to the success of our team, and asked that if she wanted to take it further, please could HR be involved. This has improved things for now - but the nuclear option remains to quit and claim constructive dismissal. I want to retire anyway within the next 12 months so I don’t have much to lose. But for now, I’m trying mollification.

Agree re raising a grievance, and I’d also make a point of reminding them that nothing in a performance review should come as a surprise - any so-called issues should have been addressed at the time they arose.

Good luck OP. Specialised or not, I’d be seriously considering looking for something else. Situations like this are so bad for one’s mental health.

Flash drive wouldn't work for us - you can't copy info out and attempting to do so is a breach of company policy so OP needs to check this.

OP don't send work emails but anything relating to your grievance can go to your personal email. If you're worried about OT restrictions can you print hard copies instead?

I'm looking into ways of getting evidence now. I really appreciate every response, thank you so much.

I'm at my desk trying to to cry. I have a team meeting in a minute.

I'm sorry that you're going through all of this but ahead of your team meeting, take a deep breath, count to 10 and during that time, see if you can find your gumption. Don't let them push you around like this. This is terrible management, even if it is later found to be 'managing out'. Think about it this way - would they be behaving the same way if a man was in your role? I hate to bring it back to man vs woman but sometimes it really does boil down to that.
Be strong. Even if you didn't stay with this employer, that strength that you will find (I know you will), will stand to you in the next job!

Best of luck to you!!!

Thanks. It does feel a bit sexist to be honest. I am the only woman in the team. The manager is also a woman though.

As someone mentioned up thread, issues with performance should not be left until an official review as every employee needs to be given an opportunity to correct their work/behaviour.

I was actually managing someone out a couple of years ago, she was truly not committed and letting the team down but we had to go through month of performance improvement plans and goal setting before HR allowed us to move towards dismissal. They also had to be involved in many of these conversations.

So I suggest you consult HR and ask for a meeting with you new manager, HR present for her to explain the problem. HR person should be mitigating and asking for facts and figures etc.

Always work on the basis that the company have access to all of the systems that are run on their computer network

BCC addresses will still be listed
Deleted emails from inboxes are not gone they and other files saved will go to backups
Printed documents, scaned or photocopied documents all can be tracked using a employees ID

If the company have a policy on not using company assets for personal work be very careful that you dont give the company an opening.

Op one thing you can do is start your own PIP

Create a project file and password protect it if its on company tec.

List every single little thing that you do and add an expected time needed to finish

So you have list of current projects, start date and end date
Break the project into tasks so if you need to handover you have a list of what you did and what is outstanding
NB Rank them in order of importance

Now you know exactly what jobs your manager wants done.
Then start tracking if you are meeting reasonable time lines or if other staff are ending up finishing the important ones.
The analyse If the other staff are doing this is it only because you work part time etc
Or because the manager reorganises your workflow by giving you a more important task etc

Then be very proactive in informing your manager on the status of each job

It is possible that your previous boss wasn't doing a good job and has allowed you to get a false idea of your contribution.

You are getting a lot of advice about bullying and grievances and storing emails and going to war with your new boss. Have you tried taking his comments on board? It sounds like she has a misunderstanding of what's been agreed as the best way to manage your projects working part time. If you are handing over working may be that that needs to change if they don't want other people delivering your work. Seems silly but explore it with her.

It's not good management to wait til an appraisal to deliver bad news.

You'd get a lot more credit for attempting to deal with the problems raised.

Focusing on tasks and "I've done all my tasks" is a very junior mentality. If you are a senior person I'd be thinking about the end point for the company and goals not tasks. It's no good doing your but then dropping responsibility. I only say this because you say you are senior.

Stay calm, don't get upset.

They want you out. Are you in a union?

Speak to HR and ACAS. Don't take this shit off this bully!
Provide evidence of all your previous 1-2-1s with previous manager to reinforce your points.

To keep track of the emails you send, can you BCC your own work email address so you can keep a record. Then just take screenshots on your phone so you have them in case your account access is suddenly removed.

I have been in a similar position. I was part time, the new “big boss” didn’t dislike me as such but was very dismissive in general to me. Blatantly gave other people credit for my ideas and work I did. I actually ended up being compromised out with a figure I negotiated, but advice given to me indicated I could have taken legal action for quite a few different discriminations.
Honestly I wouldn’t actively look for another job as yet, but I would start building a case. Document everything on email and diaries. Go back and clarify everything with the new boss. Ensure you play by the rules, do everything by the book and are pleasant and kind.
And then when you have a good amount of issues documented go to Hr to discuss further.

I still feel hurt and hatred for the people who I worked with at that time, I worked with one for a long time and I was over the moon both managers didn’t last much longer than myself, even the new big boss was sent on her way.

Similar happened to me. I applied for a promotion and an American got it. The minute I was told I knew I wouldn’t last long. I started work on my CV that week. She was an absolute bitch and everything I’d been doing well for previous boss was criticised. 4 months later I was told they were moving my job to Asia and I was at risk of redundancy. It was all bollocks (and 7 years later there is no such job in Asia!!)

I went through the process. I put in a grievance, i delayed things. Ultimately got a modest settlement and walked into new job.

Feel for you OP. I had this happen to me twice with a new manager coming in and me being bullied with unreasonable complaints until I suffered emotionally and mentally and had to leave. It's horrible. The second time I threatened a tribunal and they gave me a small payout. But yes to the poster who said don't trust HR because their role is not for employees (as I naively assumed) they are there to process you out in a way that minimises the company's exposure to any claims.
Keep a diary of everything. Keep copies of emails and documents where this stuff is alleged and how you responded to it. If it's affecting your health go to the GP or other suitable medical professional and if you get treated for it, ask for a letter where the symptoms and treatment are detailed.
You need as much evidence as you can. If it goes into meetings with HR ask for someone you trust to accompany you and take notes on your behalf. You don't need to be in a union for that.
Good luck, it's a horrible situation.

There are some good options highlighted to you which are worthy of further consideriation. Definitely, document everything from now on so you have evidence because it sounds like you may need it.

My mum experienced this she had to go for the nuclear option after being signed off for stress. I'm not necessarily advising this but mentioning it by way of explanation.

Anyway, the upshot was my mum took her employer to an industrial tribunal for constructive dismissal and won. Her case was aggravated by evidence of her union rep colluding with HR during the 'managing out' process.

Like other posters, I fear you are being "managed out". Ime there is little hope of changing their minds. The best outcome is likely to be digging your heels in enough to get a payout while lining up a new role. This process can be absolutely brutal for self-esteem. They are trying to wear you down and make you doubt yourself so you leave without a fuss or payout.

I hate these women bosses who pull the ladder up behind them which sounds like what she is doing

So many more replies, thank you so much. I have gathered some evidence today. Boss wasn't there but I did manage to talk to someone else who thinks something weird is going on in general (not just with me). I'm not going to jump straight to raising a grievance but I have put some rebuttals in writing and I will see what she says next time she is back. I'm really hoping it all just blows over, I don't want the stress.