One of my Co-workers Called Our Boss to Complain About Me

[va32h]

For a ridiculous reason!

Technically, I am the manager, but the company is informal, and there's never been a lot of "pulling rank". I try to maintain the attitude that we are all adults here, and we can work together peacefully and productively.

Well one of my co-workers called our "Big" Boss (who is in the home office in another city) to complain because I hired a new person.

Co-worker is upset because 1) I know the new employee personally and 2)I am training the new employee in some of her job areas.

But she didn't even come to me about it, she called our home office and complained to the boss, who in turn had his assistant call me for my side of the story.

I pointed out that 1) Co-worker herself got an interview because her aunt works for the company, we have lots of employees who are friends/relatives, and all new hires are approved by the home office and 2) We are all supposed to be cross-trained, because all the jobs have overlapping skills, and we've all had to pitch in and fill in for each other. Co-worker is cross trained for three different positions, herself.

The assistant seemed fine with that explanation, but when I said "look, let me talk to _____________ and straighten it out with her" I was told to please not do that.

I'm just really disappointed that my co-worker would go behind my back this way, and I am certainly going to feel awkward the next time we have to see each other.

 

[auntpolly]

First of all, going over someone's head never really makes the person who did it look good, so I wouldn't worry about that too much. DH works for a big company and he really hates it when someone comes to him instead of their immediate supervisor.

And I think you need to get this out in the open. It will probably be uncomfortable, but she will feel more uncomfortable than you, I'll bet. You need to say, "I'm aware of this situation and we need to talk about it." She really needs to know that what she did was not acceptable.

 

[Puffy2]

I wouldn't mention it at all if your "boss" (through the assistant) told you NOT to.

Awkward or not, leave it alone and carry on, at least for now.

 

[kidzmom3]

I wouldn't mention it at all if your "boss" (through the assistant) told you NOT to.

Awkward or not, leave it alone and carry on, at least for now.

I agree, if you bring it up in any way, I think you will be the one in some trouble.
Every company must have a way for employees to air grievances without there being a penalty. Although I would not have done as this worker did, it is within
their rights to speak to their supervisors boss.

 

[jcsbama]

It sounds more like the employee is afraid of losing her job. If the she has been slacking in some areas and been "faking" doing a good job, then that would cause the paranoia and now trying to cover her butt. However, if the employee works hard and is a good employee, there should be no worries. Especially since she herself is trained in 3 different positions, she should know this routine by now.

I wouldn't say anything now. But, if you are the one to perform Employee Evaluations, you could bring it up then and discuss communications. To be mean, you could also scare her into thinking because of her "little stunt", it could cost her a raise.

 

[Andrea]

sorry that happened to you, sadly it happends a lot at my job

 

[swea_pea1]

I wouldn't say anything now. But, if you are the one to perform Employee Evaluations, you could bring it up then and discuss communications. To be mean, you could also scare her into thinking because of her "little stunt", it could cost her a raise.

I know you're probably being facetious, but I would urge the OP to absolutely not do this.

If the OP is responsible for review and merit for both her friend and the co-worker, then IMO, the co-worker may be worried about the friend getting preferential treatment - regardless of the actual performance of the friend and/or co-worker. I don't know whether I would feel the same way or not. I worked for a woman who hired her friend and while every vacation day I requested was scrutinized, her friend took days off at will. Both her friend and I received 21 PTO days that year and her friend was able to take each and every one while I was only approved for 10 of them (thankfully, I didn't lose any and they carried over to the next year). That could have been coincidence, but it sure had an appearance of impropriety.

Also, in our firm, if an employee is uncomfortable coming to me as a manager, then s/he has every right to go up the chain of command. If the employee is uncomfortable with that, then s/he can file a compaint with HR. Of course I'd rather have the employee come directly to me, but I always make my employees aware of their options. Nothing worse than having a person working for you that is stewing in their juices about something.

My advice would be to let it go, particularly because that was the advice given by the home office. If it were me, I'd make extra efforts to bring the co-worker into the fold and open wide the lines of communication. Not much can be done about the situation that has already occurred, but I'd work more on trying to nip it in the bud for the future.

 

[OceanAnnie]

My advice would be to let it go, particularly because that was the advice given by the home office. If it were me, I'd make extra efforts to bring the co-worker into the fold and open wide the lines of communication. Not much can be done about the situation that has already occurred, but I'd work more on trying to nip it in the bud for the future.

I second that!

Kill her with kindness. You never know, she may come right out and tell you she made the complaint. She may feel guilty and tell you about it. Then you can say something to her like, "I wish you had come to me instead. If you ever have something you'd like to talk about you can come to me." and drop it. I wouldn't say anything unless she came clean about it.

At least you got to tell your side of it and it's put to rest.

 

[lilostitch]

That is so annoying! I have parents call me to complain about teachers sometimes, but the first thing I usually ask them is if they have spoken to the teacher about it. Duh. Don't complain about lack of communication when you are being a poor communicator yourself. It just makes you look bad.

 

[2Xited4Disney]

Here is my solution.... Practice being a Ninja for the next six months... When she completely forgets about the altercation... Say Excuse me, I just want to let you know I have been training to become Chuck (Chuckette) Norris, and I plan on kicking your &%@...... then proceed to rip out their throat



If that seems to harsh... you can just pretend to become a Ninja and threaten her but then run away screaming so she thinks you are INSANE and will just quit