Workplace Putting Me on Performance Management

vvvv on 28/03/2024 - 23:47

I work in IT and have had a recent change in management with whom things havent been working out at all. The person seems juvenile and has had no background in IT and its been really difficult to work with this person, she micromanages us a lot and expects every minor detail to be conveyed which never happens with experienced managers in my 10 years of work experience.

I had to go for a blood test for diabetes recently whose appointments on weekends are not possible and on weekdays I booked an appointment in two days and informed my manager about it that even though I will be away for two hours I will make it up by working the extra hours over time which I did. The person made a big fuss about it and said she needs to be informed well in advance about it.

Also after that in a discussion I have been told I am always late where as I usually have been reporting at 9:15-9:20 for the last 6 months I have been never told about it so it really seems unfair. Not to mention that said manager is always late for meetings by 10 mins since coffees need to be picked up which is okay I guess.

Also coming to work the said manager always keep shifting priorities with our projects and has been a walking disaster at times. If I am working on project X which si supposed to go on for 1 month, I will be shoved with urgent issues and still expected to complete the project in a month. Despite repeatedly flagging these incidents I have been blatantly told that I am not meeting deadlines.

Can I go to fair work with all this information since a Performance plan seems like I have been scapegoated for the managers problems to deal with their stakeholders?

Education & Work

Comments

  • Dack Smith on 02/04/2024 - 13:16
    +3

    You got to look after yourself, those HR inbreds only care about their own jobs.

    Why managers need workshops and training to act like idiots and morons is beyond me,

    It’s like paying big money to bring in dumb assholes to sabotage your own corporate culture and success

  • freekay on 02/04/2024 - 15:12
    +2

    2 sides to every story, but if I'm just going by what you're saying (and believing it all to be true), you've got 2 choices:
    1. Get out.
    2. Document everything, cover your ass and speak to a union rep.

    I'd choose option 1, as working for an incompetent micromanager is soul destroying, and the effort to get them moved or fired is not worth my energy. However, if you're a bit of a vindictive type, then option 2 is your go-to. Document EVERYTHING. Every interaction you have with your manager. Every directive she's given you. All your arrival times, leave times, break times. All your work outputs. Because if they're trying to get rid of you, you can be sure they're documenting everything in case they get pulled up in front of Fair Work. Also, document every time your manager is late to meetings, or turns up late to work. Then speak to your union rep about what's happening and share all your evidence with them. Whatever you do, DON'T GO TO HR—they're not on your side. HR are the ones who will help your manager get rid of you in a "legal" manner.

  • curtturtle on 02/04/2024 - 16:00
    +4

    As a manager myself. If you are being performance managed they have decided you're out, they just can't sack you. I would make sure to keep notes on everything they say, in case you can make an unfair dismissal case, but if they're playing the performance-managed game, they'll make sure their butts are covered.

    Sorry bud. Doesn't sound good. Might want to get your resume up to date.

  • LookAtMeow on 03/04/2024 - 06:45
    +2

    Just be nice and friendly to them in person, if needing a few hours off for medical leave instead just have a complete sick day and inform them that morning you're not feeling well and unable to come in. If they continue to make a fuss about your starting time which has been fine in the past then comply but also absolutely minimise overtime.

    Eventually, if someone does pull you aside later regarding the increase in sick days and lack of OT, ask instead to speak to HR or upper management and explain that your manager left you no other choice regarding sick days and that if the company is no longer willing to look at the big picture regarding work hours, as in the lack of "swings and roundaronndabouts" then there's no desire to want to go above and beyond.

    Personally I had an experience like this in my first 10 years of working in IT, eventually the owner asked me directly why I wasn't happy (based on the lack of OT and increased sick days) so I explained, turns out other staff also felt the same way and she was then removed. Don't insult or talk negatively about your manager, just explain how these changes have forced you into this situation and it's affected your happiness at work.

  • metrosilver on 03/04/2024 - 08:18
    +2

    Had the exact same situation and when i say exact i mean scarily exact. As others said document everything and ensure communication is over email even if they tell you something verbal just send a follow up email confirming what was agreed. Are you in government? performance plans are a ton of work and they have to really prove you fail to let you go. Consider speaking to their manager? People like that will never change it's just their personality you just have to get out asap.

    Also have a look at your companys bullying policy, you'd be surprised what is considered bullying. With any accusations against you demand actual documented evidence of it not just what they say.

  • ledgisv2 on 05/04/2024 - 22:25

    Went through similar situation. New manager came in with no experience in IT and was very hard to work with. All of my team members who were in the job since 4 years+ started leaving. I was there until she tried to put me on Performance Management Plan. Looked for a new job and resigned.

    Later found out that she had an argument with upper management and was kicked out.

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