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New director at work

3 replies

Judepol · 19/06/2024 22:58

A new director has started at work. My manager said the director has allegedly said she does not see me in the office and wants me in the office more. He said she did not know who I was but someone showed her who I was. I find it strange because I have seen her every time I have been in. The last time I saw her she was staring at me talking to a colleague about some policy amendments and I had some good ideas. I find it rude when someone stares.

We are only contracted to come in 1 to 2 times a week. I already come in 2 times a week. I come in on specific days which differs each week depending on if I am seeing a customer, do some filing or printing letters. I don't see why I should come in more times than others. Whether the director has said this or the manager is really behind it I feel it is a lack of trust micromanaging as though working from home they think you do nothing which is not good. I am always busy where I cannot cope.

If you don't put your location in your calendar as at home or office she has said people need to be given a disciplinary for breaching the policy. I always put my location in my calendar. The previous director was not as strict. An email was sent by another manager saying she had said about disciplinaries.

Apparently she wants to meet individually with all members of our team to discuss their wellbeing and workload. I have never known a director to be considered about the staff. The management are usually not bothered. It could be to do with the low satisfaction staff survey results.

What are people's thoughts? I feel threatened.

OP posts:
Harassedevictee · 20/06/2024 14:11

I would split this into several aspects.

Showing whereabouts on calendar - this is policy and aids communication and team working. You do this already so there is no issue as you can demonstrate compliance. This is not micromanagement it’s a sensible management policy.

Contracted to be in the office 1-2 days a week - You do this already but it may not be as visible. Make a point of having a very small face to face interaction with the Director on the days you are in. Just a “hello x” as you walk past. Don’t manufacture it but unless you work in completely different parts of the office verbally acknowledging someone once a day twice a week is not a stretch. Remember the Director is new and having to learn a lot of names and faces.

Staring - if it was a one off I wouldn’t worry. She may just have been listening intently as you were suggesting some good ideas and she was interested.

1:2:1s for wellbeing and workload - I would expect a new Director to have 1:2:1s or at least meetings with small teams. It could be she is interested in wellbeing or it could be due to staff survey - go with it and you will quickly work out which it is.

I don’t see anything threatening in what the Director is doing. You are complying with policy/contract so there is no issue.

Judepol · 20/06/2024 16:22

I know you are right.

I think the staring was someone else who looks like her as she is off this week.

I personally think the manager made it up as if you don't go in when he is on he probably thinks you are slacking off. I will go in once a week when the manager or director is in but no more than twice a week as we are all allowed 3 days at home. Not my problem they are I am not in when they are.

OP posts:
Harassedevictee · 20/06/2024 16:40

Very sensible

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