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Oh help help help - I made a suggestion about something we should do to my boss at work - he liked the suggestion but most of my colleagues hate it and now they are peeved with me and I just feel really small and stupid

90 replies

SixSpotBurnet · 17/09/2008 12:48

Help help help.

Have been in new job since January. I joined an existing team which had had a bit of a shake-up and in particular had its reporting lines changed etc.

We have been doing various team-building exercises which to be honest I quite enjoyed and I suggested to my boss that perhaps we could have a full day, off-site (budget permitting) in about six months time to review what we'd done, do some training etc. We used to do this at my old firm and they were quite popular.

Anyway, four of my colleagues have kind of rounded on me out of earshot of boss and basically expressed their disapproval of the idea and instructed me "not to spring any more suggestions like this on them without advance warning".

I feel really small and stupid now, and don't quite know what to do. Anyone got any bright ideas?

OP posts:
SixSpotBurnet · 17/09/2008 16:35

I have thought about that www. But I think there is a severe risk that he would be very annoyed and would make his annoyance felt (with them I mean, not with me).

Which could be very counter-productive.

I may just for devilment come up with lots of annoying suggestions in our next team meeting (which I am chairing)....

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WideWebWitch · 17/09/2008 16:37

And would that be such a bad thing? They'd realise you're not to be bullied/ordered about.

I think LOADS of suggestions for ALL SORTS of team building stuff is absolutely in order for the next meeting. Make them work too, give them lots of actions! Walk away with NONE yourself!

littlelapin · 17/09/2008 16:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Flier · 17/09/2008 16:41

tbh, i'd leave it and not send an email, these people feel threatened by new arrivals and by changes, as simple as that, it is their problem, not yours. If they raise the subject again, just reiterate the point that they are getting a day out of the office, and please don't show the you are the slightest bit perturbed by the way they reacted to you today.

good luck

I am truly dreading getting back into the workplace, am sahm and will be for another few years until youngest starts work.

MissKubelik · 17/09/2008 16:44

They are being ridiculous, just ignore. IME old-timers can get very defensive around training and team-building exercises - especially if they think their position is being threatened by newer members of staff. When you start planning it invite their input and try and get them on board that way. They have no right telling you to run things past them first, so just carry on doing your job and ignore them.

ajandjjmum · 17/09/2008 16:51

Surely mumsnetters could help in pulling together a wonderful list for your next meeting!

chipmonkey · 17/09/2008 17:26

Will there be role-play? I hate role-play!

anniemac · 17/09/2008 21:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

WideWebWitch · 17/09/2008 22:29

SSB, everyone who says don't send it is probably right, I am impetuous and shite at politics, which is fine in an interim/contractor (which I am) and prob not fine in a perm person with a proper career.

Do what you think feels right for you.

SixSpotBurnet · 18/09/2008 10:11

Flier - are you really going to be a SAHM until your youngest starts work?? Or did you mean "starts school"?

I went home and had a good rant to DH about it and he was sympathetic. And today I might go for a coffee with the one member of the team who didn't have a pop at me about it, and see what he thinks.

But thank you, everyone, for your advice and your support - it was great to have you all to talk to yesterday afternoon!

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Flier · 18/09/2008 14:03

oops yes I meant school

mabanana · 18/09/2008 22:16

I wouldn't send the email at all. I think stuff on email is a hostage to fortune. I would email your boss saying is it OK if we get togther to sort out the away day, get a date, then a bit nearer the time, send an email (ccd to your boss) saying, 'Hi, I've volunteered to organise the away day we planned to discuss XXX. It's on (date) and I would really value your ideas as to what form it should take, how best to present our ideas and what brand of biscuits you'd all like with your coffee'
Which suggests that a/they can't walk all over you and b/you are willing to listen and be cooperative, and they ought to be nice back

SixSpotBurnet · 18/09/2008 22:36

Yes, I've thought about it a bit more today, and I'm not going to send it. We're only a small team, and I think it would be potentially quite divisive.

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TotalChaos · 18/09/2008 22:37

I'm useless at office politics, so will be guided by the majority vote of don't send it. hopefully a 1 on 1 coffee will resolve things.

branflake81 · 19/09/2008 18:18

not helpful but I LOVE days out like that so your suggestion would get my vote!

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