How would you deal with this situation?

Nathaniel_Essex

Hi all

A friend of mine is in a little situation at work with his boss. From my perspective, his boss should be fired but I wanted your opinion.

To keep a long story short, my friend and 3 of his colleague recently approached their bosses boss to make a series of complaints about her (let's call her Angela). Specific to my friend was the fact that Angela had said to one of the colleague's that "it would be best to avoid him" and that he notices and has made comments about him leaving slightly early or arriving late which is untrue.

In my eyes such divisive and false statements should be an instant dismissal as they are simply not what you want from a manager.

Your thoughts?

System

Not sure exactly what you mean by your wording, but in a word, no I don't think it's anywhere near grounds for instant dismissal. Without anymore detail, I would suggest your friend is being a bit too sensitive.

NeilCr

I'd get both sides of the story before bandying words like "instant dismissal" around.

Comms69

Nathaniel_Essex wrote: »

Hi all

A friend of mine is in a little situation at work with his boss. From my perspective, his boss should be fired but I wanted your opinion. - Not sure how your perspective is in any way relevant...

To keep a long story short, my friend and 3 of his colleague recently approached their bosses boss to make a series of complaints about her (let's call her Angela). - You mean they went over Angela's head? Specific to my friend was the fact that Angela had said to one of the colleague's that "it would be best to avoid him" - and? and that he notices and has made comments about him leaving slightly early or arriving late which is untrue.

In my eyes such divisive and false statements should be an instant dismissal as they are simply not what you want from a manager.

Your thoughts?

My thoughts? I don't see that there is an issue here. But then it was the short version

nicechap

Some of the OP's other "dilemmas", they make the MSE ones look like Oxford Debating society.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5725161/should-i-still-be-paid-my-bonus

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5816450/managing-multiple-job-offers

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5857457/are-we-now-expected-to-work-out-of-hours

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5878957/how-would-you-handle-this-situation

sangie595

My thoughts are:
(A) you should stay out of other people's employment
(B) don't assume people tell the truth - they often don't
(C) if you focus on your own job more you might need to ask for opinions less
(D) you clearly know nothing whatsoever about being a manager or employment law.

Fireflyaway

Unfortunately the workplace is a bit like the big brother house! Everyone is thrown together and not everyone will get along.
It may or may not be true that Angela said these things.
My opinion is that your friend should speak to his boss directly and in private. Clear the air. As for leaving early and arriving late. I assume there is a clock at this workplace?! Surely this point can easily be settled.
Most of us have or will have people at work that we don't like. I personally don't think what you have said is grounds for dismissal, especially as parts can't be proven.

Marcon

Who cares what strangers think - or indeed what you think?

Les79

Reading this I feel that the manager is a bit weak. That being said, many are and it isn't always the *best* people who get these sort of positions!

The manager in question should immediately start:

- Documenting all instances of staff leaving early or arriving late (because the truth will soon come out, either manager is blagging it or your friend knows full well the manager hasn't got their affairs in order and is evoking the whole "prove it" argument). This also has the added bonus of weeding out the shirkers, who start feeling the heat and get "upset" with it (often quitting at some point).

- Listening to, and addressing, legitimate concerns raised by staff (some people simply don't have the ability to do this).

- Squashing insubordination and behaviour which is unreasonable by going through the in-house disciplinary process.

You state that "such divisive and false statements should be an instant dismissal as they are simply not what you want from a manager. "....

....well you are right when you say "not what you want from a manager" (see my part above)!

BUT you, presumably as a third party, have no concrete evidence (aside from your friend's word, which is rarely completely factual) that they were "divisive and false statements" which "should be an instant dismissal". Even if your friend is telling the truth, it still boils down to a "he said she said" argument. The manager has a very similar "he said she said" argument against your friend, so by your logic should your friend not be a candidate for "instant dismissal" as well?

Personal question, but don't feel obliged to answer as it isn't relevant:

- Do you ever get bored of the drama from your friends? Mind you, from your previous post about the IT guy in your new place (the one I replied to) you do seem to be a "drama magnet" so to speak. Each to their own I guess...

pmduk

It's always best to keep your head down and get on with your own work. Other peoples' business should stay precisely that and rarely needs your input.

System