"How to deal with vague accusation?" Topic

Today I went to see my line manager about asmall matter.

He asks me how I feel about things. (An odd question.) I tell him I feel over worked, undervalued, excluded and demotivated.

He then informs my his boss's boss has heard that I am negative and critical about things. (All unspecific and vague.) Then asks me to comment. So I point out I cannot really reply such a vague set of allegations and feel it is inappropriate to comment.

He wants a (sort of formal) meeting with me on monday to discuss amongst things my motivation.

I am over 50 and have little propects of getting another job with similar pay. (Trapped?)

What also makes things difficult is I think that some of the allegations are coming from my union representative who is seeking promotion.

Any suggestion how to proceed?

The union rep would usually be the first port of call. If he is in anyway lukewarm in his support then complain to the Union, especially if he is the one stiching you up.

"I tell him I feel over worked, undervalued, excluded and demotivated."

"He then informs my his boss's boss has heard that I am negative and critical about things."

Can't imagine why he heard such a thing!

Seriously, do you complain a lot? Well, more than everyone else? If you have specific complaints, have you spoken to your supervisor about them? I am a teacher, and of course we all generally grouse about things – but there are a couple of people who continuously moan about everything and criticize every single decision the chair and the dean make (and, for that matter, any issue decided by the majority of the faculty that they voted against). They really do tend to make other people miserable.

Not meaning to dump on you, especially since you are down! But you might think about whether or not your level of unhappiness is such that you really are affecting other people – and if it is, what you and your supervisors can do to improve the situation.

Assume they have heard the same things you have just stated here. Then think of specific times when you have felt this way. Once you can give specific reasons you may be able to turn this one around a bit – remember, it should be in their interests to have you motivated, give them the tools and information they need to do it. However, also be careful – are the things you dislike things that other people appear happy with? If so, be careful about using them.

Once you think up examples of WHY you 'feel over worked, undervalued, excluded and demotivated', think up possible solutions that you think would not only work for you but for the company and your boss (and his boss) as well.

Don't just bring problems to the table, bring options for solutions.

Jake

What Jake said.

Pete

Yep, another vote for Jake's answer.

Always show up to these meeting with solutions and/or ideas that helps the company (as that is what they really care about, helping you is the gravy).

Hey, look at the bright side. You could love your job, have a positive, upbeat attitude about everything, enjoy life to the fullest and be unable to keep a job because a voice has been given to chronic complainers, skinheads, racists, control freaks and predators.

JW walked past me. JW used a peice of duct tape. JW won't let me tell him how to open a box.

Well, he's minding his own business, keeping his head down and his mouth shut, while doing his job without complaining about anybody else.

I'd tell you to file a Union grievance, but Unions don't have the clout they once did, so that might not do much good.

JW

Check with the Union rep if you have one. If you have a HR dept or something similar then check with them on the procedures for such a meeting – if they are going to make a formal warning of this then you should have a greivance policy which allows you to challenge it.

You should be able to take the Union rep' or other staff member who's on your side to such a meeting.

In the meeting be prepared to defend yourself without getting aggressive. Try and be positive.

If things go badly then don't be afraid to check with the Citizen's Advice Bureau or consider an employment tribunal if you face unfair dismisal.

You may want to look at Gerry Spence's book -- how to win every argument.

Don't read the whole thing -- it gets ridiculous half way through.

However, the first 1/4 of the book will serve you well. In essence you have to take the focus off you and place it on the circumstances surrounding your behavior (or alleged behavior). If you do a good job, you come off looking like the most reasonable person in the room.

mjc

All of the above are good. Even more basically, you think they may fire you for being negative? Don't be negative. Heck, even try to be positive. Employers like that.

My job sucks in ohhh so many ways, but I truly appreciate the pay cheque and think its worth working for. Whenever anyone comes to my desk, no matter how big a pain they are, or what I suspect they may think of me, I smile and say "How can I help you?" and mean it. It makes my life so much easier and *lessens* the chance I get the boot (aint no guarantees).

I personally would not bother researching and finding a good reason for every 'negative' incident. It will just sound as if you are justifying. Consider being as positive as possible, starting now, then at your meeting, say you understand the problem and it won't happen again. That's what they want to hear if they haven't already made a decision. Most bosses are not sobs, they don't like to fire people.

Thank you everyone. You have shown my a way forward. I will let you know how things go.

Good luck, John!

Hi Everyone

The meeting went OK.

My work load is to be reduced.
I offerred suggestions how I could go forward,
My line manager reaffirmed his faith in the quality of my work.
I am to arrange an "informal talk" with my the person who received the allegations. I think that is going to be a dance round the issues ocassion.

Thank you everyone, the wise council I received here stopped my doing a CHARGE! Everyone helped but MWeaver and CPT Jake comments where the ones that pointed me in the right direction.

What the long term will bring I do not know. Since the organisation is not going to change I need to change my attitiude to it.

Thank you again everyone.

John