ISSUES AT WORK - ADVICE PLEASE

geek84

Hi Folks

My line manager at work seems to be over criticising my work and giving me unrealistic targets to meet.  I seem to be getting the impression that he is looking for excuses to fire me.

I have joined a work-place union.  Do you think that I should speak to the union and get them involved or do you think I should start looking for another job, and when I do find one, give in my resignation and quietly leave? 

If I do get the union involved, wouldn't any future employer get the impression that I am a bit of a 'trouble maker' ? 

Thanks in advance

TELLIT01

First question is whether you have higher targets that others doing the same job? Targets may be unrealistic, but if everybody has the same it will take coordinated complaints from everybody to get changed.

What sort of criticism are you receiving? 

How long have you worked for the employer?

By all means speak to the union.  They may have a better understanding of the general situation with the company.

pjcox2005

Speak to your manager. Ask why they think the targets are realistic, how you change work style to improve and meet them (as well as in relation to criticism on work). As part of that put your side across as to why you think a target can't be achieved and see if they either agree or if not if they can help on a solution to achieve it.

No harm in trying before you start looking to resign and finding other jobs.

TBagpuss

How do your targets compare with others in similar roles?
Have your targets been recently / significantly increased, and if so, what reason was given? 
Have you spoken to your line manager about the targets to raise your concern that they are not achievable? 
You say that your manager is 'over criticising' your work - are any of their criticisms justified? Do you feel that they are criticizing you more than others or are 'nit picking', or that their criticisms are valid but that you are not being given time / opportunity to improve? 
By all means start looking around to see whether you would be happier elsewhere, and what jobs may be available that might be a better fit, but also consider whether this is entirely an issue with your manager or whether there could be any justification for what they are saying / doing. This is also likely to be relevant if you get the union involved - if they are targeting you, then the union may be able to help you avoid being forced out, if they have valid concerns about your work then it is less likely that union involvement will change things

geek84

Hi Folks
Many thanks indeed for your responses.
I am working 9 to 5 as fast as I can in the office. My colleagues are also doing the same work but have a joke and laugh every now and again with the other staff. I can't believe they are meeting their targets (unless they are set different to mine).. But I don't have any evidence.
I have spoken to the manager regarding workload, and he simply says the others are doing far more than me !!
Should I ask for evidence regarding this or would that be being a bit rude?
Finally, they are also accusing me of stuff that I did not say. However, I have suffered from Covid-19 and that has affected my memory/concentration.

Thank You

Savvy_Sue

Is it worth asking if you could shadow someone for half a day, to see how they are doing things and whether you could pick up tips on how to go faster? 

TBagpuss

What sort of terms are you on with your colleagues? Could you speak to them to see if they are willing to share whether they are getting similar feedback, and what their targets are compared to yours. Do you know whether your pay is the same?

Where I work, targets are pretty closely linked to pay so people don't necessarily have the same target, but if you have a higher target you would also have higher pay