what to do??????????????????????

otb666

i have worked for the same company for 15 years-my latest manager has given me a verbal waring and now wants to give me a formal because i am not taking the calls how they want-i dont control them -i dont know what to do- apparently i am now not up to the job-i am 42 and really worried-my husband wants to fight it-i have to wait til tuesday to see if they are going to ask me to leave-i have always worked hard and did nt realise this could happen

krystal-divination

you got me curious

sounds like we could work for the same company !!

im sure this wouldn't stand up as you have no control of the type of call coming in, besides you have been there 15yrs, so why now arn't you good enough in there eyes ? sounds like you got a nasty manager, i sympathize, really sounds like my manager too.

are you in the union ?

otb666

thanks for replying-we deal with complaints now and whilst calls have become difficult i deal with them effectively-the manager says i am not confident-but i have always not had much confidence-nothing new there-i am in a union but i have seen several collegues asked to leave and now it seems its my turn-

krystal-divination

i really hope you dont feel forced to leave

the way i see it is, that maybe there are training issues here if they are not happy with the way you handle calls ? stay and fight, put it back to them that you are as good as your training you recieve and that they ought to help you to improve.

these bully boses make me angry !

otb666

i will ask for more training-thats a good idea-i think its more to do with the way i project myself- i get the most work done on the team-the problem with my manager is he hasnt helped me as he is too nice about it all- he seems to be pushing this from his manager-they want me to have more confidence but keep telling me i am doing it wrong-not very confidence building

otb666

i would never feel forced to leave-but they will ask me to leave and give me 3 months money-in present climate i would find it hard to find another job as only a few o levels to my name

cazziebo

otb666 wrote: »

i have worked for the same company for 15 years-my latest manager has given me a verbal waring and now wants to give me a formal because i am not taking the calls how they want-i dont control them -i dont know what to do- apparently i am now not up to the job-i am 42 and really worried-my husband wants to fight it-i have to wait til tuesday to see if they are going to ask me to leave-i have always worked hard and did nt realise this could happen

The first thing to do is not to panic. You've been in the job 15 years (with an unblemished record until now?) and the company will be very aware it will be difficult to get rid of you without a fight and a lot of expensive legal advice. The new manager may not be aware of this, and may be just looking to stamp their authority and in their naivete using bullyboy tactics. It shouldn't be allowed and you shouldn't have to stand for it. There are idiot managers all over the place - some of them learn and come good, some never change.

So what to do? Well don't give in. You say you're lacking in confidence - keep in your mind that you have given 15 years to this company, you have rights. Bear in mind it's a tough world in business right now, and companies are needing to change quickly. How can you win in this situation?

Krystal might have the answer - you want to do a good job, so it's not an attitude issue. It's likely the business, and therefore the calls-have changed, so it might be a training or coaching need. I would ask your manager for a meeting, and say how much you enjoy your job (whether it's true or not) and how you want to improve. Ask for detailed feedback on your performance, and ask for an action plan to work to. Is there someone you can buddy up with? Can the manager himself coach you? Is there anything external the manager can suggest which will help you in work? Convince the manager you are committed to finding a solution. In tandem with this, I would also consult with the union, but don't get them involved in doing anything until after this meeting.

If the worst comes to the worst, you have 15 years good service with one employer. That's a huge asset in a difficult job market.

Good luck!

(By the way, great book on confidence building is Susan Jeffers Feel the fear and do it anyway Really helped me. )

ceridwen

Just to second that - I'd put the ball back in their court and ask them about getting further training and ask them for examples of how they felt your performance could have been improved (bet they cant find any "evidence" - but if they can...then work with them and ask how they feel you could have dealt with situation a, b, c etc better specifically - ie "What would you have preferred me to say/do instead in this case?").

Are you able to produce comparative call records - to prove how many more calls you have been handling than the average call rate in your place?

I have often found the above to be quite effective tactics - as it makes it obvious that you know that its because they are looking for excuses to get rid of you - but that they are going to have to prove to an Employment Tribunal if it comes to it just why you were deemed inadequate. I have found there was never enough concrete "evidence" to produce to state that I was doing my job badly - reason: because I WASNT doing my job badly. I have had to do this on more than one occasion - but I have kept my job.

krystal-divination

otb666 wrote: »

i will ask for more training-thats a good idea-i think its more to do with the way i project myself- i get the most work done on the team-the problem with my manager is he hasnt helped me as he is too nice about it all- he seems to be pushing this from his manager-they want me to have more confidence but keep telling me i am doing it wrong-not very confidence building

Good luck !!

i think you will be ok just speak up for yourself ask for help or direction
as we have all said here.

let us know how it goes next week

x

otb666

thanks for the replies-i have had one to one training with my manager-but whatever i do seems wrong-a lot of the calls are not what our team does and i think this is when i falter-the calls i do successfully he never hears cos i always ring them back as i need to gather imformation to check their accounts first-when i saw him on xmas eve -when he said i still wasnt acceptable and i would be getting a formal and possibly moving departments-he said he would do his best for me but then suggested -when i said i dont sleep before we have our get togethers-that i drink or take sleeping tablets-which i dont do

LittleVoice

otb666 wrote: »

then suggested -when i said i dont sleep before we have our get togethers-that i drink or take sleeping tablets-which i dont do

OMG!!!!............