I Think My Boss Retaliated Against Me Because I Told on Her
Hi Nikki!
I recently just discovered your site and I love the advice you give.
Recently, the VP of my company called me into a meeting to offer me a different position within the company.
In a separate meeting, my VP and I discussed my current duties and she asked why I had been working so many hours in the past month. I told her it was because I got an influx of work and asked my supervisor if I could work OT but she denied me. My VP explained that she talked to my supervisor about that and said that she should have allowed me to work the overtime versus risking my getting burnt out from trying to do it all in a short span.
Fast forward, the day before I was to assume my new role, the VP told me she changed her mind about giving me the job because she feels I wouldn't be able to handle it anymore. I later found out that my supervisor and VP had a conversation two days before I was to assume the job.
Not only has that opportunity been taken away but my supervisor will not give me my old responsibilities back. The two co-workers I trained to take my job over, have their own duties plus my work but even still, she won't return my duties and has assigned me to menial work. She also doesn't speak to me, I almost thinks he avoids me. And just recently, she sent a team email and left me off of it. This is her second time doing that.
What can I do? Do you think my boss retaliated against me because I told on her? I'm frustrated and feel that I'm outnumbered. I apologize that this is so long.
Thank you!
Frustrated in the Big D
-Mid-Level in Dallas, Texas
Dear Frustrated in the Big-D,
Wow. I think you need to speak with your Human Resources coordinator. It may be a good idea to speak individually and then ask about scheduling a meeting with both your HR personnel along with your supervisor about all of the recent events.
Something definitely happened. I'm not sure how they can revoke an offer right before you're about to start in the role. Had you signed an offer letter for the new role? Did they give you a rescind letter once they determined the role was no longer a good fit?
Typically, companies have to go through some form of red tape before someone transfers departments. For example, HR may have contacted your current supervisor to ask if you were eligible for transferring, i.e. did you have any recent disciplinary actions taken against, etc. It's also customary for staff to alert their supervisors or managers when they're either interested in applying for an internal role or during the interview process. Did you tell your supervisor that you were interested in transferring?
If your current supervisor found out about your plans to transfer from the VP and not from you directly, that may have caused some room for ill-will. But she should not be retaliating against you, whether you moved on or not. It definitely sounds like a case of retaliation but you'd have to be prepared to prove it.
Retaliation is a huge red flag for companies because it opens them up to potential lawsuits. I would suggest you have a conversation with HR and bring along any and all documentation you have, not just hearsay from the separate conversations that took place. Map out the timeline of events and seek advice on having a conversation with your supervisor.
If you feel like speaking with HR is not a good option, then I would suggest setting up a meeting with your supervisor to discuss your role and the recent changes that have happened. It's time to redefine your role and her expectations.
Make sure you have documentation of everything, old and new. Keep emails in a separate folder for yourself, just in case you need them for HR purposes.
I hope you're successful in getting fair treatment. If things continue and you're not able to get things to progress, then it's time to move on and find a job that's a better fit for you.
Good luck!
You've got this,
Nikki Davis
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NIKKI
Your curly girl manager, just trying to live her happiest life!
Wife, new mom, member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. with 11 years industry experience, 6 years of management experience. Manager a team of men in a male dominant industry, while being the only woman on the team. DIY fashion blogger, a self taught seamstress. Owner/Creator of a monthly subscription service, SewConscious.com.
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