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Can anyone help me not sound like a whingey loser on my appraisal form, please?

6 replies

fruitbeard · 02/02/2009 12:51

Warning, this is loooooooong!

I'm doing my appraisal form at home today (snow day for DD's school). I have issues with my immediate line manager and I'm trying to think of a way to put it professionally so I don't sound like I'm just whingeing, iysiwm.

Background:

I do 3 days a week at work. Due to changes in systems etc, one of the processes I run has now gone from being a 1-day job to a 2 day one. My other regular task has also increased in time due to regulatory issues. Consequently I've been very time-pressured and other stuff has fallen a bit by the wayside. I have a new line manager and he is a twunt very impatient person who makes no secret of the fact that he thinks it's all my fault and has said that I need to go away and think about the way I work in order to give myself more time to do other stuff. He doesn't seem to get that I am constrained by the systems, no matter how many times I explain to him the limits of what we can/can't do at various times.

He has a very patronising manner and no sense of humour whatsoever. He treats me like I'm thick and sighs when I ask him to explain stuff (I think we definitely have communication issues, as quite often it seems I'm explaining an issue, he's replying like I've asked him a question, generally about something completely different, then saying 'ah, but you don't understand xyz' about the very thing I'm trying to tell him about! I do not get on with him (!), nevertheless I endeavour to be professional with him and would not slack off simply because I don't like him, as I consider myself a conscientious person.

However, over the last year I feel like he's systematically destroyed my confidence in my own abilities - he micro-manages my every move and will expect me to be a mind-reader over stuff that got communicated on days I'm not there (and not passed on to me). Before I went on M/L I got consistently good/outstanding appraisals every year (I've been there 20 years and have never had an issue before)but half the time he acts like I'm a waste of space, half the time he piles work on me then gets pissed off when I have to leave to pick DD up from school.

He has brought me to tears in the office more than once.

I generally end up working at least an hour a day more than my official hours and have come in on non-working days to help meet deadlines, but I get no credit for it. In fact, when I asked if I could leave early (by 2 hours) to see DD's nativity, his immediate reaction was 'how will you make up the hours then?' - I was so pissed off with him over that and felt so unappreciated... and now I'm sounding whiny again!

Anyway, we have a section on our appraisal for 'difficulties', I have written a little about the time pressures, what I want to say is:

I have communication difficulties with my line manager and feel he does not value my contribution to the department.

Despite raising the issue of time pressures with management earlier in the year it seems to have become 'my' problem and I feel very unsupported.

But that to me sounds rather whiny and 'poor me', also that I have a massive problem with him personally (which I probably do, but what's the best way to say this?)

Is there any way of putting it better?

And if you made it to the end of that, thank you!

OP posts:
Ivykaty44 · 02/02/2009 13:07

There are communication problems with my line manager.

I am having my confidence undermind and am battling against this continualy.

training is an issue that is also causing problems, training with the systems is not comprehensive and therefore causing issues.

rookiemater · 02/02/2009 14:24

Gosh sounds rottne for you, maybe something like :-

"Over the last year due to changes in systems and regulatory requirements the regular aspects of my work now take 2 days per week which only leaves 1 day for additional responsibilities. I feel that I have been asked to take on tasks which cannot be completed in that period and have had to come in on days off and work extra hours.

I have always received good appraisals in the past and my line managers were satisfied with my work rate therefore I believe that my workload needs to be reviewed in conjunction with my manager so it is achievable within my reduced working hours."

Sorry doesn't sound that great, I'd also recommend " Dealing with People you can't stand" an excellent book for communicating effectively with people who are your opposite personality wise.

waitingforgodot · 02/02/2009 14:37

Is your line manager conducting your appraisal or is it HR?

fruitbeard · 02/02/2009 14:58

Line manager. HR don't get involved unless there are disciplinary issues.

Thanks for the tips, I shall look out for that book - think I may need it!

OP posts:
Squiffy · 03/02/2009 19:03

"After 20 years of consistently strong appraisals and exceptionally good working relationships, I have found it difficult to adjust to the new management style which I have encountered this year. Despite frequently working unpaid overtime I feel that my commitment and ability are being undermined and I find this a very stressful environment for the first time"

And copy HR in on it.

This seems quite clearly to be his problem and not your problem. If he is new then HR will be minded to look on it as a problem with him too, if it is raised. I don't think that skirting round the issue will resolve the issue, and you will stay unhappy, so you may as well be open with him. The appraisal is one of the few times when you can force him to take the time to listen to you properly.

He sounds like a right arse to me. If you are open about this and things don't get resolved then you have grounds to take it further with HR.

Horrible situation to be in.

saramoon · 05/02/2009 07:38

Yes, you must be firm and be open about it. I have been in this situation just once - it wasn't my line manager though just a colleague and that was bad enough. Having the support of a good manager makes so much difference to everything.

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