Work Dilemma - Possible Slander ?

MAYFLOWERS

Hi
I really need some advice...I work for a company representing another company - as part of the job we deal with a lot of third parties and last week there was an incident occured which was partly the fault of one of these third parties. As the Manager of the representation company I had to investigate and try to rectify the problems that had occurred which I felt I did in a fair way and advise the main company of the corrective action. To be fair they were the ones that put pressure on the third party companies management to out measures in place to avoid the incident happening again..which was down to a new computer system.


Part of that corrective action was for some of the newer staff from the third party company to undergo some extra training in the classroom. This training took place today and one of the trainees whom I know quite well has told me that the trainer basically told the staff there were there because of me, that i was intimidating etc etc etc ....basically slating my character to a classroom of staff


I am completely devastated - and I feel I cant let this go but I obviously dont want to get the person who has told me what has been said into trouble . What has been said is totally untrue and I feel I cant let it go but I dont know what to do ? Can the person who told me what was said get into trouble for telling me as if thats the case then I will have to keep quiet ?


Any Help would be much appreciated x

tomtontom

Who does the trainer work for? You need to take it up with their manager. You do not have to name the person that told you, but without them it becomes a case of your word against theirs.

MAYFLOWERS

The Trainer works for the third party company as does the person who told me what was said .

theoretica

I think the person to take it up with is your manager, not the trainer's. It is your company which has the duty of care to you.

tomtontom

MAYFLOWERS wrote: »

The Trainer works for the third party company as does the person who told me what was said .

In that case I would agree with theoretica. It is difficult to know how things will plan out because it depends on the status of the trainer in their organisation (their seniority, and how they are thought of by others) and also the relationship between your organisations - is it equal, do you rely on them for contracts etc? Before approaching your manager have a think about how you would like the situation resolved - an apology, mediation, the other person disciplined. Difficult to be more specific without knowing the relationship between the two organisations.

PHILANTHROPIST

Agree for the main part with other members

As a first step I would raise matter as an informal grievance with your manager.

Re the alleged act and the trainer's conduct . People who criticise or stir things up usually do so because they have their own issues and/or lack self confidence. Best to have belief in yourself and within reason try to ignore critics, and seek to avoid actively encouraging them.

Re allegation of "possible slander". Based on the limited facts and circumstances you present the prospects of raising a successful claim regarding slander and associated injury to the OP's reputation would be low.

Bantex_2

Just bear in mind that taking an action against what appears to be ypur companies customer could have negative long term issues, such as loss of the contract.

Ozzuk

If you are a manager, can't you just contact your counterpart in the third party company and ask why this guy was being a !!!!. Make it clear it's not acceptable, deal with it. Simples

PHILANTHROPIST

Bantex wrote: »

Just bear in mind that taking an action against what appears to be ypur companies customer could have negative long term issues, such as loss of the contract.

True. Do you concur that a quiet word (aka informal grievance) may be apt ?

Ozzuk

The way I read it was they effectively 'sub' work out to these 3rd parties companies, hence why I'd be taking a tough line, as far as the customer is concerned buck stops with you.

Unless I'm reading it wrong. Customer shouldn't need to see how you deal with it.