WWYD as a manager follow-up...OH FFS

potbellypig · July 2014

I had a feeling that she would continue to covertly track time etc. which is annoying...but...

She is now indiscreetly keeping a "black book" of things I ask her to do, every time I check my iPhone and what I'm doing at almost any minute of the day. Which, in case there was any doubt, is working. Unless I'm on here during my break, as I can't leave the workplace because someone needs to stay behind during the breaks.

FFS.

welly01 · July 2014

Where do all these crazy people come from!?? Sorry you're dealing with a whacko.

bethann3181 · July 2014

Does she have a full view of you in your workspace? Can you request a move for her?

How do you know about this "black book"? Do you see her writing in it, or is she telling others about it?

There is no way she's keeping track of all of these different things about you, and it's not taking a majority, if not all, of her time away from her work responsibilities. I would honestly push her on a probationary period due to the fact she is not completing work tasks in an effort to keep complete tabs on you.

potbellypig · July 2014

I meet with my boss tomorrow and will discuss. My department, which I manage, is fairly informal as well. I'm a laid back manager as long as everyone is getting their work done. But yes thanks - I will have to be extra diligent regardless. I don't want to get in trouble since I'm being watched this closely.

But seriously. There are no words...at least none that would be acceptable in the work place.

potbellypig · July 2014

I saw her writing in it. I don't have the ability to put anyone on probation.

Now I better get to work as my 15 minutes of break is officially over. I'll update more tomorrow.

For now I leave you with the Dramarama-Lama. Hope your day is going better than mine!!

Edit: needed to add the Dramarama-Lama

MommyAtty · July 2014

Wow. I would start looking to fire her. A close friend and colleague had one of these employees. She didn't accomplish tasks bc she was too busy being Harriet the Spy. We told her she wasn't a good fit in the organization and fired her. You only need one little nut to grow an oak tree.

ss265 · July 2014

This is ridiculous and super petty. Unfortunately I don't think that this alone is grounds to fire her unless her doing this is interfering with her core work responsibilities.

potbellypig · July 2014

ss265 said:

This is ridiculous and super petty. Unfortunately I don't think that this alone is grounds to fire her unless her doing this is interfering with her core work responsibilities.

Couldn't fire her anyway as it's not my authority nor do I work in that type of place. hashtag union hashtag government

SunAndRain · July 2014

I think you were right to approach her but you made your comment about what she doesn't need to do (because you do it) rather than focusing on what she needs to be doing. Continually missing deadlines or providing shoddy work is reason for escalation to HR and possible termination. Tracking your time (unless it creates a hostile work environment) probably isn't. I wouldn't turn the tracking in to a power struggle between you and her.

My advice: let the tracking go. Start documenting your conversations with her via email chain that specify what tasks she is expected to complete and by what date. "Sally, thank you for taking the time to discuss X project with me today. As we discussed, the plan is for you to provide X by Y date. Please let me know if any issues arise."

If/when the deadline passes, have a conversation with her to understand the reason why, "Sally, we agreed you would have the X document to me by end of day yesterday. I haven't seen it. Can you tell me the status?...Can you tell me why the deadline was missed? ... In the future when this happens let me know as soon as the issue arises so that I can facilitate your work. Meeting deadlines is the expectation." Then again document the information in an email to her along with the new deadline.

Also, you mentioned you are new to your role. (exciting!) Do you have a mentor within your company? They typically provide excellent and expert sounding boards for issues such as these with the added bonus over internet forums that they are typically familiar with the company culture. That is, if you get a good one!

aglenn · July 2014

Yeah, she sounds unstable. Definitely let your boss know about the situation. I would also give her lots of extra work to do, because she clearly has too much time on her hands....plus if she is not able to complete assigned work you have an easier case with HR.

MommyAtty · July 2014

I used to fire federal gvt employees for a living. I was the lead HR attorney for a DoD component. Document the holy living CRAP out of everything. Including her attendance. Give her orders in writing and if she fails to comply, document that in writing too. Get to know her Weingarten rights. And talk to your supervisor, employment attorney, and HR. OPM has a good website for federal managers if you're in the federal government.

nolagal79 · July 2014

I agree with all of the above. Especially the email chain and then print them out and start a soft file on her. That way, when he work becomes substandard, as is bound to happen with her stalkerish like behavior, there will be objective grounds for disciplinary action by higher ups.

potbellypig · July 2014

SunAndRain said:

I think you were right to approach her but you made your comment about what she doesn't need to do (because you do it) rather than focusing on what she needs to be doing. Continually missing deadlines or providing shoddy work is reason for escalation to HR and possible termination. Tracking your time (unless it creates a hostile work environment) probably isn't. I wouldn't turn the tracking in to a power struggle between you and her.
My advice: let the tracking go. Start documenting your conversations with her via email chain that specify what tasks she is expected to complete and by what date. "Sally, thank you for taking the time to discuss X project with me today. As we discussed, the plan is for you to provide X by Y date. Please let me know if any issues arise."
If/when the deadline passes, have a conversation with her to understand the reason why, "Sally, we agreed you would have the X document to me by end of day yesterday. I haven't seen it. Can you tell me the status?...Can you tell me why the deadline was missed? ... In the future when this happens let me know as soon as the issue arises so that I can facilitate your work. Meeting deadlines is the expectation." Then again document the information in an email to her along with the new deadline.
Also, you mentioned you are new to your role. (exciting!) Do you have a mentor within your company? They typically provide excellent and expert sounding boards for issues such as these with the added bonus over internet forums that they are typically familiar with the company culture. That is, if you get a good one!

Ah, you're totally right! I should have taken that approach, which I think was suggested in my other post! Totally forgot to do that! I will think of some projects I can delegate to her and see if it helps with what is clearly a lack of real work to do.

*sparky* · July 2014

WTAF? What a nutcase. Any idea why she is obsessing over you like this? I would definitely talk to your boss about it since your conversation with her seems to have just made her act more bizarre. I also agree she needs more work to do so start delegating.

And since you are in a union/govt environment, documentation will be critical if you are ever going to be able to get rid of her. So I would be sure to document your conversations about this issue, her work assignments, etc.

Virgo17 · July 2014

I knew she sounded crazy! I would alert your boss just in case she tries to go behind your back with the "ammunition". Give her work to occupy her time and document EVERYTHING. Even if you discuss something verbally or have a meeting, follow up with an email summarizing what you discussed. I can't stand people like this, best of luck!

potbellypig · July 2014

I gave her a project to work on today and so far she's on task, although not surprisingly still documenting everything.

Now I need to think up more work for her...

Thanks for all of your support, working mamas...it's hard to be a manager, I don't really have any colleagues to chat with and need to keep some professional distance between myself and my staff, and it can be very lonely and this adds to the challenges.

Glad to be back on this board!