Why are staff so quick to stab managers in the back?

WobblyDog

I've no aspirations to be a manager, but I never say anything negative about my manager behind his back. Partly because he's a good manager and a decent chap. But also because it could weaken his position within the company, which could indirectly weaken my position.

xapprenticex

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

I wouldn't say that it's only the manager that is the subject of team moans in their absence - it's any member of the team People take advantage of another's absence to have a moan about that individual.

yeah thats another thing..... its insane.

Hermia

xapprenticex wrote: »

Hm yeah maybe, its just a bit malicious and two faced for my liking. its something ill have to accept though, management life. the bonding bit i agree with.

Bear in mind that managers do this too. I have known managers who gossip, mock or moan about their employees when talking to other managers. I have known managers that have blamed their own mistakes on one of their employees in order to save their own necks. My first boss used to not very discretely gossip about us all (he had a very loud voice) and then wonder why we wouldn't invite him out for a drink! The us and them attitude is present in all levels of a company.

Tigsteroonie

xapprenticex wrote: »

yeah thats another thing..... its insane.

It passes the time!

gettingtheresometime

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

I wouldn't say that it's only the manager that is the subject of team moans in their absence - it's any member of the team People take advantage of another's absence to have a moan about that individual.

This is so true!

I once worked in a place where whoever wasn't at their desk was the subject of discussion.

As for the comments about the manager....that was on a completely different level.

[Deleted User]

GothicStirling wrote: »

To me a manager who gets on with everyone is a someone with a weak leadership style, and will have trouble when it comes to discipling staff,

Managers really shouldn't try to make staff their disciples!

getmore4less

xapprenticex wrote: »

I am currently being groomed

Sums it up.

as others have said when you are not there.......

jimbo747

I know my staff make comments about my desk untidiness, forgetfulness and mostly my time keeping, more in a taking the p*ss way than a genuine mard as I pitch up at 10, take 2 or 3 hours for lunch and then slope off early. And most of it is in front of me or via email.

I tell them I get my own back when I hand out the xmas and easter bonuses.

xapprenticex

getmore4less wrote: »

Sums it up.

as others have said when you are not there.......

Sums what up?

daytona0

I've done a manager role and I was more aware of what they were saying behind my back than they realise! As long as that didn't impact on work I was perfectly happy! What they didn't know was that most of the managers spoke about them in a similar manner (don't like getting involved in that personally).

To be honest, though, but I had a lot of well-wishers and a lot of fans in my previous job. Why? Because I was one of the few managers who actually sorted things out! Made sure that they had rotas in a good time, made sure that their hours worked were recorded, made sure that new and old employees were given equal opportunities for progression. Was fair-minded, wasn't shouting at them constantly (a lot of the managers did this and I told them right off the bat that I wasn't this type of manager), held individual meetings with EVERY team member.

If you instill some respect and confidence into your team then backstabbing is reduced and, unless the workplace is super cliquey, people less inclined to gossip will stand up for you morei n the face of it!