We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide
Undermind by fellow supervisor.Shall I quit?
MrYoungg
Posts: 17 Forumite
Hi everyone. The situation I'm about to describe is a bit twisted but I hope to get some advice.
I've started a new job 5 months ago for a medium manufacturing company (30 employees). I came to become a supervisor in a department but I agreed with the directors to be a workshop worker for 1,2 months, to see what is not working and what has to be improved in terms of organizing the department. After 1 month I've decided that I've seen enough and I'm ready to take over the department. (There are 4 departments in the factory=4 supervisors and above us 2 directors,and one of them is more HR/office based and second one is the owner and workshop manager but also he is the owner) .
The transition went pretty smoothly. Old "team leader"' was told that he is working for me,and he wasn't causing too much trouble. The team of 6 were working alright, couldn't complain too much,knowing that it could be much worse.Me and bosses were aware of that.
1 month later previous team leader was fired for gross misconduct. Nothing against me just broke one company rule but that had nothing to do with him:beer: being mean,trouble maker etc.
And the story begins know. My department works close with the " last link" of our production. My team and Mr X (he,as you'll find out later, is the source of my everyday headache) mixing our teams (mine 5-7 his 3-5) together depending on priorities we have in current time.
After the team leader got fired (him and Mr X didn't love each other) Mr X started to undermine me . He started to come to mine workshop,moving stuff, chatting with my team, laugh at me with them behind my back. I could see people who previously had some kind of respect to me and would do what they're told,now they trying to point my every mistake and doubt my decisions. Most of them doing what they told but they just have bad attitude,responses:ok, whatever etc. We have certain rules for example:no mobile phones or no snack on the shop floor. When they are with me they don't do it. But when he is around or they working on his side they constantly eating,showing stuff on mobile phones, stopping work to chatting about nonsense. So when they work with me I'm looking like a Nazi and he is a good uncle.
He does not bother to tell me good morning,when I'm standing next to an employee he would only say hello to him. When we working together he takes all the 'supervisory' power and his ideas must be on the top. The last word belongs to him. I'm not gonna arguee with him because I'd rather work as a team.
I spoke to my director and he agreed with me that Mr X attitude towards me is not very 'team player' based but rather he treats me like a enemy and undermine me,my ideas and desicions, what makes other people treating me like: yeah whatever. The problem is he worked in that company since he left school, probably like 30 years and he can't be fired for "bad attitude" because is almost impossible to prove such thing. The director agrees with this and he is very happy with improvments I've made but after few discusions about whole situation he told me that "he is aware but he spoke to HR and really have no idea what he can do with him". And another thing is, if there would be a way to fire him, how do I know that people won't get even worse attitude towards me?
I just don't think that fight is worth my time and all the stress. Any suggestions? Thanks for rewding
I've started a new job 5 months ago for a medium manufacturing company (30 employees). I came to become a supervisor in a department but I agreed with the directors to be a workshop worker for 1,2 months, to see what is not working and what has to be improved in terms of organizing the department. After 1 month I've decided that I've seen enough and I'm ready to take over the department. (There are 4 departments in the factory=4 supervisors and above us 2 directors,and one of them is more HR/office based and second one is the owner and workshop manager but also he is the owner) .
The transition went pretty smoothly. Old "team leader"' was told that he is working for me,and he wasn't causing too much trouble. The team of 6 were working alright, couldn't complain too much,knowing that it could be much worse.Me and bosses were aware of that.
1 month later previous team leader was fired for gross misconduct. Nothing against me just broke one company rule but that had nothing to do with him:beer: being mean,trouble maker etc.
And the story begins know. My department works close with the " last link" of our production. My team and Mr X (he,as you'll find out later, is the source of my everyday headache) mixing our teams (mine 5-7 his 3-5) together depending on priorities we have in current time.
After the team leader got fired (him and Mr X didn't love each other) Mr X started to undermine me . He started to come to mine workshop,moving stuff, chatting with my team, laugh at me with them behind my back. I could see people who previously had some kind of respect to me and would do what they're told,now they trying to point my every mistake and doubt my decisions. Most of them doing what they told but they just have bad attitude,responses:ok, whatever etc. We have certain rules for example:no mobile phones or no snack on the shop floor. When they are with me they don't do it. But when he is around or they working on his side they constantly eating,showing stuff on mobile phones, stopping work to chatting about nonsense. So when they work with me I'm looking like a Nazi and he is a good uncle.
He does not bother to tell me good morning,when I'm standing next to an employee he would only say hello to him. When we working together he takes all the 'supervisory' power and his ideas must be on the top. The last word belongs to him. I'm not gonna arguee with him because I'd rather work as a team.
I spoke to my director and he agreed with me that Mr X attitude towards me is not very 'team player' based but rather he treats me like a enemy and undermine me,my ideas and desicions, what makes other people treating me like: yeah whatever. The problem is he worked in that company since he left school, probably like 30 years and he can't be fired for "bad attitude" because is almost impossible to prove such thing. The director agrees with this and he is very happy with improvments I've made but after few discusions about whole situation he told me that "he is aware but he spoke to HR and really have no idea what he can do with him". And another thing is, if there would be a way to fire him, how do I know that people won't get even worse attitude towards me?
I just don't think that fight is worth my time and all the stress. Any suggestions? Thanks for rewding
0
Comments
-
Raise a grievance, if it continues happing, raise a grievance. Eventually he will get the message or get sacked.
As for the others laughing at you and changing, they are what you would call sheeple people, don’t take it personally, they will flock to and follow the closest alpha male who decided to herd and mold them to their way of thinking.0 -
You're coming across as a bit of a jobsworth - *very* strict with your team, running to your boss about other staff, trying to get them sacked - this is going to get people's backs up. Is this your first supervisory role? If so, calm it down a bit - you'll find people respect you a lot more if you do.0
-
The thing is you can't sacked for not being a "team player" if you now what I mean. And I don't know if I wanna wast next months/ years until he'll retired. Because they don't wanna make him redundant (too much money involve)0
-
You're coming across as a bit of a jobsworth - *very* strict with your team, running to your boss about other staff, trying to get them sacked - this is going to get people's backs up. Is this your first supervisory role? If so, calm it down a bit - you'll find people respect you a lot more if you do.
I think that's unfair. It is the other person who is at fault if what the OP is saying is true (although of course we only have the OP's side of the story).
OP, in your position, I would ignore the internal politics and start looking for another job. There is no point in trying to take on someone who they can't get rid of and who is deliberately trying to make your life a misery. It will just harm your health. If the director agrees with you and HR has said that there is nothing they can do, then you just have to try and find another job.
In the meantime, don't let the other supervisor get to you - it just isn't worth it.0 -
I think that's unfair. It is the other person who is at fault if what the OP is saying is true (although of course we only have the OP's side of the story).
OP, in your position, I would ignore the internal politics and start looking for another job. There is no point in trying to take on someone who they can't get rid of and who is deliberately trying to make your life a misery. It will just harm your health. If the director agrees with you and HR has said that there is nothing they can do, then you just have to try and find another job.
In the meantime, don't let the other supervisor get to you - it just isn't worth it.
Does the OP sound like someone you would like to work with - completely inflexible and tries to get you sacked because he doesn't like the way you work? Sounds like a joy!0 -
Does the OP sound like someone you would like to work with - completely inflexible and tries to get you sacked because he doesn't like the way you work? Sounds like a joy!
Why is the OP being inflexible?
Is "constantly eating,showing stuff on mobile phones, stopping work to chatting about nonsense" acceptable in the workplace?
The OP said himself that that it makes him look too strict, so he realises the issues and so is not set in his ways. So are you saying that he should lower his perfectly reasonable standards just so that his staff can break the company rules?
The other supervisor knows that he is unsackable and is making the OP's life miserable.0 -
Does the OP sound like someone you would like to work with - completely inflexible and tries to get you sacked because he doesn't like the way you work? Sounds like a joy!
He sounds like a decent boss who lets employees know where they stand, and doesn't undermine others. Womeone who actually wants the company to succeed and progress.
The other guy probably knows they won't get rid of him hence he behaves like a d*ck. no doubt paid a fortune and does jack all for it! I know many like him...
OP, just carry on as you are, and perhaps point out to the people that work for you that you are trying to make the company/department more successful, unlike others around here, and in the long run it will hopefull get them a pay rise rather than job less, so they can take their pick which manager they want to side with depending on what sort of employment future they want.Should've = Should HAVE (not 'of')
Would've = Would HAVE (not 'of')
No, I am not perfect, but yes I do judge people on their use of basic English language. If you didn't know the above, then learn it! (If English is your second language, then you are forgiven!)0 -
You're coming across as a bit of a jobsworth - *very* strict with your team, running to your boss about other staff, trying to get them sacked - this is going to get people's backs up. Is this your first supervisory role? If so, calm it down a bit - you'll find people respect you a lot more if you do.
I did nothing about it for 2 months, had a private conversation with him about what the directors expect from him and myself (work more officant). I am not trying to get anyone sacked, both of my directors had a conversation with him and both see it as a problem. And I'm surprised I have to actually write this but obvious thing is I have this kind of conversation with my bosses, in private and no one knows about it.
If I would be a whiner they would get rid of me on probation period. I have team members who just come to work and do their job but few of them looking for drama and try to make my life hard for no reason. I come across as a very fair,polite person. I didn't start overwhelming people with work, but also I was hired to stop loosing the money in my department and the numbers shows that I'm doing a good job.
No,it's not my supervisory role, worked for 10 times bigger company,and had to deal with 10 different supervisors, more staff and managers and never had any personal problems with anyone. And I think that's the first time someone puts real effort to discourage me for no reason. " be that's just life,but I know I worked in "normal" place and it can be just nice.0 -
Does the OP sound like someone you would like to work with - completely inflexible and tries to get you sacked because he doesn't like the way you work? Sounds like a joy!
Not my way. Directors way. When they are around everyone is working "my way" if you like. So it can be done and they won't complain or anything. I'm sure everyone would like to get money for nothing but it only happens with Dire Straits:beer:0 -
The other guy probably knows they won't get rid of him hence he behaves like a d*ck. no doubt paid a fortune and does jack all for it! I know many like h
OP, just carry on as you are, and perhaps point out to the people that work for you that you are trying to make the company/department more successful, unlike others around here, and in the long run it will hopefull get them a pay rise rather than job less, so they can take their pick which manager they want to side with depending on what sort of employment future they want.
Of course he is
The thing is my previous employer was a quite big company with people who actually think in "career " terms not 9-5 prison,do as least as possible. They were professionals. This firm have people working there for 15-30 years, and they're not going anywhere. It's just existence. And I'm just worry that I'm loosing my time and nerves,coz they don't give a s... anyway.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 354.3K Banking & Borrowing
- 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 455.4K Spending & Discounts
- 247.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 604K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 178.4K Life & Family
- 261.5K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards