Difficult Manager

Dear Laraine,

I am having a few problems at work with my manager as he doesn’t think I have the potential to expand my work, but I don’t see why I should have to involve other people. I certainly don’t want to go to my Personnel Department as I think I should be able to sort things out on my own.

Yours, Troubled

Dear Troubled,

Ah! It is not an admission of weakness to say you could do with some help, although if the situation is tricky at work, you might need to think carefully about who you could trust to discuss things with. First, think what exactly the problem is, then break it down into manageable parts and then think who you could talk to about each “bit” of the problem.

For example: Perhaps you think your manager is not helping you with your internal promotion prospects?

Here’s what you could do: 

1. Find out from Personnel the latest update on how promotion is handled within the organisation.
2. Talk to a couple of recently promoted colleagues about the procedures they followed. What advice could they give you?
3. Look in the company courses handbook for one day workshops on handling internal interviews.
4. Locate an interpreter/ lipspeaker / notetaker etc who has recent relevant experience in interviews (believe me, it does make a difference).

Armed with that information, ask your manager for a short meeting as “you would like his / her advice on applying for internal promotion”. You should have better success as you have collated data to back up your case.

 If your manager is still not helpful, then you will have to involve other people! Ask for a three way meeting between yourself, the Personnel Department and your manager so the Personnel Officer can “mediate” between the two of you. If this does not work then think carefully whether you want to begin a grievance procedure. This is an incredibly painful procedure for all concerned so make sure you have a strong case. Failing that, be honest with yourself – do you really want to work for an organisation which does not value your work?

Yours, Laraine