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Work frustrations - advice needed
This is likely going to be a long one, but I'll try to summarize as much as possible.
I have a cushy government job that I love. It pays well, has amazing benefits, I love my co-workers and the actual work I do is great. I've been here for almost 4 years now and a couple years in I thought I'd be here for the long haul. BUT, about a year ago my previous manager retired. The new manager is, well, not good on so many levels. And there are two main issues:
- she is mean. She makes very snarky comments, insults me in front of other people (in a very back handed way though, so nothing that is very obvious to others). She's cold and aggressive.
- she is now trying to fire me. Since she has started, things with my actual performance have been fairly normal. I've always done a great job and never had any performance issues (with this job or any others). There have been a few projects here and there that she's commented on saying they needed work, but normally things are good. (Sidebar: I'm a writer and because writing is very subjective and often personal, it's very much open to interpretation and personal tastes than other jobs.) But then a couple weeks ago she sat me down for a meeting saying if my work doesn't improve, she'll have to "rethink my staying in this role". Obviously it's very upsetting and I'm quite dumbfounded. There were a couple of projects she noted as poor (again, writing being subjective, it's her opinion). Since this meeting, she has followed up with emails saying the same thing (basically a paper trail for her to prove she's given me warnings). Since then, she has started critiquing everything I do
to death. Nothing I do right now is good enough for her. I obviously don't agree with her and after the second email about my "horrible performance" (two emails in just over a week) I finally emailed her back and gave her all of my feedback on the specific projects she has talked about, as well as her overall issues and my interpretations. The email was very positive and not offensive in any way, but it was my own paper trail (as recommended to me by a former boss). She has yet to respond to that email, but she did critique another project of mine in the meantime.
But really, I think she just wants me out for whatever reason (either she has someone in mind to replace me, she wants to hire someone new who she can hire herself, she doesn't like me personally or... who knows). But it seems very obvious she wants me out.
The thing is, as I've government, we are unionized and to have someone fired for performance issues, the process is a long one (a year). I don't think my boss knows this as she's new to unions and our director (her boss) is a horrible witch who things that the rules don't apply to her. So likely my manager is getting advice from hers and doing things in the completely wrong way. But really, she can't fire me easily. Even her emails are not considered valid warnings by the union, although she may think otherwise.
So while she can't fire me easily and I know my job is somewhat secure for now, things are obviously toxic and driving me insane. So I figure I have a few options:
- file a formal complaint against her relating to the aggressive/bullying attitude (this is something I've been noting for some time now, not just since these so-called performance issues came up). On one hand, I don't want this to become a tit-for-tat kind of thing where she thinks I'm complaining because she is saying my work sucks, but at the same time, it could make her back off. And I do have some legit complaints.
- find a new job and leave (basically giving her what she wants, but for my mental/emotional health, it may be the best).
- continue along and just see what happens. I hate going in to work every day now, when before I loved it.
As I honestly don't believe this is a performance issues and there really is no way to improve to her liking, I don't know what else I can do. (Honestly, one of the so-called badly done items was a newspaper ad announcing changes to our child car seat laws - she said it wasn't "on message" even though the message is obviously very clear - the law is changing - and I based the copy on already approved copy!) Oh, and I had my previous manager review one of the pieces she said was bad and she said she wouldn't have changed a thing.
Hence why I think this is just a personal vendetta.
But, obviously I'm at a crossroads - either something has to change or I get another job. The trouble is, I'm going to have a hard time finding another job that is just as good benefit and pay-wise. Plus I actually love what I do and I don't want to give her the satisfaction of me leaving and her getting what she wants.
Sorry for being so long. I could get into even more detail! I would love some unbiased advice on what to do.
Re: Work frustrations - advice needed
TTC since June 2012
I would agree with this. I think talking to your previous boss who you got along well with and an HR/Union rep is the way to go. If you like the job and the benefits are good, I don't think you should leave just yet - see if you can get some protection (or maybe be transferred to work under someone else?) by going through the proper channels - something she obviously isn't doing.
This is a good point. If you have enough evidence backing up the bullying complaint (without her reviews of your work) could you file your complaint based just on that information alone? Then you would not be putting your work into play at all.
I would continue to keep track of anything she says or does to you that is out of line. I have a similar situation at work. My boss is not very good and complaining to her manager doesn't get anywhere either. I've been saving harassing text messages and emails and documenting when she says or does something inappropriate to me. If nothing else, you will have proof when something finally does happen that pushes everything over the edge.
If you love what you're doing, can you transfer to a different department or to work under someone else?
Edit: Can you also get copies of your previous performance reviews? That may help show that there was a change in the reviews after a change in management and nothing else changed in your quality of work.
This is a good point as well.
Also, are there other managers you work with in your office? Have they said anything about your performance? Also, could you talk to her boss as well, and ask him/her about your performance?
TTC since June 2012
I'm sorry that you're having to deal with that! We have a manager that's similar to that, she's very rude to one of the girls here, and it's not fair. We all notice it, but there's nothing we can do.
I like what some of the girls have suggested. Trying HR and seeing where that goes, and if something is said to her, make sure she doesn't bring that back at you otherwise document it. And I like the past performance reviews suggestion!
Good luck, and hopefully something gets done to make it more comfortable there, especially if you like what you're doing!
TTC since March 2012
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