Work stress and someone gunning for my job!?

[Mumtoone1232]

I am in desperate need of advise.

I am seriously stressed and constantly teary from work. I work in an office, professional setting and have been working at my place for just over three years now, I've done my role for over 11 years.

A few weeks ago, I had a discussion with my manager due to the fact that someone in my team had been bad mouthing me to a director stating how I underperform in my role. I asked my manager why this had happened, for him to reply with stating they're unhappy I earn more than them being I am 15 years younger etc. I was completely taken aback, had asked how they knew how much I was on etc but this wasn't met with much response other than they had spoken to a previous employee who did the same job role. The thing is, this person who has complained doesn't work in the same position I do, they have very little cross over in my role and I am the kind of person to go to work and come home. Im completely uninterested in office politics or career driven. The only reason I work as hard as I do is for my child and to give them everything I can.

But since this has happened, I feel like my job is threatened and I feel so sick with anxiety. I am working late at night to make sure everything job and email is handled as soon as received, any error I make I feel as though it's a point against me. And to top it off, I am the sole income for my household so financial pressure really does weight on me heavily.

Any Advise or words of wisdom is greatly appreciated and needed.
thank you

I asked my manager why this had happened, for him to reply with stating they're unhappy I earn more than them being I am 15 years younger

I would interpret your manager’s response as meaning they see the complaint as simple jealousy. They haven’t said the person is unhappy you earn more than them while doing a poorer job, or less work. They’ve cited a non-reason that an employer won’t take seriously.

If your manager hasn’t said anything about thinking your work is poor I don’t think you have anything directly to worry about.

I suspect the complainer may come off worse from this than you do, as they look petty. I am assuming their role is more junior than yours? You say they are on your team. Do they report to you or do you just work in the same area/team?

If you are worried, start making sure you keep a record of your achievements and the positive impact you have on your role. Document how you are doing your job well. If you continue to be concerned you could ask for feedback from your manager and others on your team. I wouldn’t reference the complaint at all, but just to gather more information for yourself in case there IS any area where you are underperforming.