Can I refuse supervision?

Sambucus_Nigra

Delilah732 wrote: »

I'm not being supervised as part of disciplinary proceedings or anything. It is something that should be more an educational experience. But if this person doesn't know anything, how can they impart knowledge. I can't ask work related questions of this person as they do not know the answers. I have given them a chance. When I've asked a question on a couple of occasions, I have been told that they don't know. So I don't ask any more.

Ask your manager:
a - what is the real reason for me being supervised by this person?
b - what would you like me to do when they cannot answer any of my questions?

anamenottaken

What do you mean by "supervision".

Is this other person a "supervisor" or "someone who provides supervision"? Those are not the same thing.

A supervisor is a level of management. Managers are not expected to know the answer to every question that their people ask them but they are expected to help people find the answer.

So this other person does not need to be better than you at your job.

flutterbyuk25

Are you sure they are actually going to be supervising you?

Or will they be observing you?

In my job we are observed 3 times a year by a colleague, as part of our personal and team development. I am by far the most qualified on paper, but one of my colleagues has 20 years experience in the job compared to my 4. But this does not bother me. In our case it's merely a tool to assist us in our role; give helpful tips or even pick up helpful information.

sweetilemon

Its hard to know without details of the job and both positions within the company. What grounds are there to believe this person would not be able to supervise you?

denla

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Ask your manager:
a - what is the real reason for me being supervised by this person?
b - what would you like me to do when they cannot answer any of my questions?

OP already stated the manager thinks highly of this supervisor. Confronting the manager's decision like this is asking to be sacked, if not immediately then within the next couple of weeks/months.

floss2

denla wrote: »

OP already stated the manager thinks highly of this supervisor. Confronting the manager's decision like this is asking to be sacked, if not immediately then within the next couple of weeks/months.

No its not if it is done in a courteous and respectful manner, by asking for clarification as to the reasoning behind the "supervision".

Also, in some professions supervision is mandatory for professional registration or competency. For example my DH is an auditor and is observed regularly to retain his competency requirements.

denla

floss2 wrote: »

No its not if it is done in a courteous and respectful manner, by asking for clarification as to the reasoning behind the "supervision".

Also, in some professions supervision is mandatory for professional registration or competency. For example my DH is an auditor and is observed regularly to retain his competency requirements.

What the hell is a DH? Some industry specific acroynm you expect the majority of people to understand? Directing Head? Direct Head? Hmmm.

Manager can easily say it's how the company operates, refuse to explain his reasoning, or say something along the lines of "to help you." Anything you say is construed as arguing and meaningless when the manager has already formed an opinion of the supervisor.

ILW

Delilah732 wrote: »

It seems that the bosses think that this person is able. Unfortunately.

The person does not have any experience in my role and no understanding of it as it is a responsible position for which you need several years of training and they have had none. They have been working there longer, however my salary exceeds theirs due to my experience. Added to this, the person has been known to blatantly lie in order to make themselves look good and other employees bad. Pretty awkward.

Could it be that your and the managements understanding of your role are not the same?

Tigsteroonie

denla wrote: »

What the hell is a DH? Some industry specific acroynm you expect the majority of people to understand? Directing Head? Direct Head?

Probably Dear Husband, same as it signifies elsewhere on the forum.

DevCoder

denla wrote: »

What the hell is a DH? Some industry specific acroynm you expect the majority of people to understand? Directing Head? Direct Head? Hmmm.

Manager can easily say it's how the company operates, refuse to explain his reasoning, or say something along the lines of "to help you." Anything you say is construed as arguing and meaningless when the manager has already formed an opinion of the supervisor.

I would expect DH to be Darling Husband or Dear Hubby.

Its common online forum abbreviation (internet wide, not just here).