| Micro managers 19:29 - Feb 18 with 7788 views | Hooparoo |
Started a new job recently and my boss is a huge micro manager. Sends me tons of emails starting at 5.30 every morning mostly asking me to do something by a certain time. She often does the task herself then turns around to flog me for not doing it myself.
I know we have a lot of wise people on here so I’d really appreciate any advice as to how the hell you manage a micro manager. To top it all off she’s also passive aggressive and menopausal.
Help! 🙁 [Post edited 18 Feb 19:30]
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| Micro managers on 06:36 - Feb 19 with 2357 views | Burnleyhoop |
| Micro managers on 21:25 - Feb 18 by Malintabuk |
She does sound pretty insecure and as you say you were hired into her team without her input
I would say document things, make time lines and notes of the emails at 05.30, when she undermines you and such.
Definitely never loose your rag or become frustrated with it, easier said than done I know, but really building up a case that you may have to take to HR is the best way forward
Good luck with it |
Agree. Collate the evidence. Clearly unreasonable expectations and requests. If it continues and you have sufficient evidence, discuss your concerns directly with her and if you cannot find common ground and a mutually agreeable compromise, advise her that you consider it necessary to speak to HR.
HR would not consider sending emails at 5;30 in the morning as acceptable. Sounds like she is trying to force you out so you have to stand your ground and play her at her own game. |  | | |
| Micro managers on 06:57 - Feb 19 with 2315 views | JamesB1979 |
Respond to her email, saying you’ll do them. Try to do the tasks by her time limit. If she does them still, then ask her why she’s done them. If it goes on, then look for another job. | | | |
| Micro managers on 08:16 - Feb 19 with 2232 views | Konk |
I always think a good manager is like a good shop assistant - greets you with a smile and is readily available when you need them for some guidance and support but not in your face the minute you walk through the door, grilling you with questions.
If your boss has been on sick leave for stress, that perhaps suggests she's having a tough time/under a lot of pressure herself, or places herself under a lot of pressure. I would resist any sort of responses outside your normal working hours, unless you're earning silly money, and as others have said, communicate clearly in terms of whether deadlines are realistic/provide updates as you go. Once you've proved you can work without constant supervision, she may relax and learn to let you get on with it. It's early days.
I was micro-managed by a manager once and spent more time explaining what I was working on, than I did on the work itself. Looking back it was a young colleague who'd just been promoted to their first managerial role, they'd had no training in managing people, and were just anxious/over keen to ensure that no work was slipping. They just wanted to be on top of things.
Good luck and I hope things settle down. |  |
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| Micro managers on 09:11 - Feb 19 with 2175 views | Hooparoo |
| Micro managers on 08:16 - Feb 19 by Konk |
I always think a good manager is like a good shop assistant - greets you with a smile and is readily available when you need them for some guidance and support but not in your face the minute you walk through the door, grilling you with questions.
If your boss has been on sick leave for stress, that perhaps suggests she's having a tough time/under a lot of pressure herself, or places herself under a lot of pressure. I would resist any sort of responses outside your normal working hours, unless you're earning silly money, and as others have said, communicate clearly in terms of whether deadlines are realistic/provide updates as you go. Once you've proved you can work without constant supervision, she may relax and learn to let you get on with it. It's early days.
I was micro-managed by a manager once and spent more time explaining what I was working on, than I did on the work itself. Looking back it was a young colleague who'd just been promoted to their first managerial role, they'd had no training in managing people, and were just anxious/over keen to ensure that no work was slipping. They just wanted to be on top of things.
Good luck and I hope things settle down. |
Thanks Konk | |
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| Micro managers on 09:21 - Feb 19 with 2148 views | Metallica_Hoop |
Save the Emails.
My mate did and when said manager tried to f;k her over she revealed she had correspondance to the contary and would have their job.
She didn't but manager was VERY nice after that and she's now higher than him. |  |
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| Micro managers on 09:25 - Feb 19 with 2139 views | Bluce_Ree |
Part of the reason that I hate Liverpool so much is because of my old boss Lynne.
Lynne was a C*NT. Utterly charmless, horrible woman. And a Liverpool fan so I root against them partly as I don't want her to have any joy in her life. |  |
| Stefan Moore, Stefan Moore running down the wing. Stefan Moore, Stefan Moore running down the wing. He runs like a cheetah, his crosses couldn't be sweeter. Stefan Moore. Stefan Moore. Stefan Moore. |
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| Micro managers on 09:33 - Feb 19 with 2125 views | lave16 |
| Micro managers on 09:21 - Feb 19 by Metallica_Hoop |
Save the Emails.
My mate did and when said manager tried to f;k her over she revealed she had correspondance to the contary and would have their job.
She didn't but manager was VERY nice after that and she's now higher than him. |
save the emails
put the list of tasks in order - email her back and say here is a list of my tasks in this order- please confirm this matches with your priorities.
Start this when she sends you more reply with the list adding the new task to the bottom - essentially spamming her with her own spam. You will then be called into a meeting to explain why you are doing this where you turn the tables and ask her why she doesn't trust you to get on with your work and is contacting you out of office hours.
Had a micro manager also was everything to everyone given he was there so long - staff who did not work with him or were not his buddies thought the sun shone out of his rear end. All new members quit within a few years - he destroyed my confidence in my ability - I was working crazy hours and ended up leaving and moving on.
I now have another manager who gives me a bad report every 2 years so he can say his has turned my work around and comes up with great ideas - farms them out and promptly forgets what the idea is.
In 30 odd years I have worked out you need to try to manage your manager - I am terrible at it - and realistically am to helpful to my reports - which I get hammered for.
However my advice would be don't answer outside of work hours confront her in a non aggressive way and if its going south start looking elsewhere. Its easier to move jobs in the first year as the interview process etc is still fresh in your mind and you then will know what to look out for and what you want. | |
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| Micro managers on 09:43 - Feb 19 with 2091 views | BlackCrowe |
It depends on what size/type of company it is, but if it's big enough to have an HR function then that helps.
As a start, I would have your Out Of Office email on when you are not working with a message to the effect of "I am avaiable on email from 9am - 5.30pm GMT. I will attend to your email as soon as possible".
You should also have a meet with her and set out the ground rules in a nice, respectful way - lots of commitments etc outside work and you are as rule fairly committed to work hours only, but will obviously flex from time to time on matters of urgency. |  |
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| Micro managers on 09:52 - Feb 19 with 2055 views | EastR |
For what its worth some variations on advice already given.
The HR dept is not your friend. They exist to protect the organisation’s interest and deal with issues like this to minimise hassle. You’re lower down the food chain and not been there long, so more expendable. Given the background you can use that to your advantage if you want to stay.
Don’t go all guns blazing to that meeting. Tell them you love the job, its exactly what you wanted it to be and you’re getting on great with your colleagues etc. Lay on the positivity.
Then say there is one thing you feel you need to raise, and you wouldn’t be a good colleague if you didn’t take the opportunity to highlight as it’s a well-being, staff welfare issue.
Your manager seems to be sending e mails at odd times and taking on work that the rest of the team is there and happy to do. Given their past history you are concerned that they are heading for a repeat of stress, time off sick etc. You wanted to raise it as you have genuine concerns for their health. You don’t feel able to address it with them directly but that the company should know.
You’re now a keen and enthusiastic and thoughtful colleague looking out for co-workers.
And the ball is in their court.
If things don’t start to change as a result, its time to move on. | |
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| Micro managers on 10:01 - Feb 19 with 2026 views | LowerloftLad |
Don't respond to Any emails until your official start time.
Tell her you will get the jobs done one at a time as your only human.
Then get on indeed and look for another job. |  |
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| Micro managers on 20:17 - Feb 19 with 1720 views | Beckenhamhoop |
| Micro managers on 21:08 - Feb 18 by Hooparoo |
Thanks everyone for the good suggestions. For context, I’m the manager of a government property portfolio but as I’m only 5 weeks in I’m still on probation. I was hired by my boss’ boss while she was on stress leave so I think she’s a bit miffed that she had no say in my appointment. I have a gun on the table meeting with the big boss (the one who actually hired me) today so I’m going to launch my counter offensive at that meeting. Got nothing to lose so will be laying it all out.
Warmen sie die Panzers auf! ☠️ |
How did the meeting go Hooparoo?
And for what it’s worth I think EastR’s advice is by far the best.
ps. Keep a diary of her nonsense. | | | |
| Micro managers on 23:02 - Feb 19 with 1592 views | Northolt_Rs |
Maybe she’s just a complete CNT. There’s loads of them out there. |  |
| Scooters, Tunes, Trainers and QPR. |
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| Micro managers on 23:50 - Feb 19 with 1544 views | Hooparoo |
| Micro managers on 20:17 - Feb 19 by Beckenhamhoop |
How did the meeting go Hooparoo?
And for what it’s worth I think EastR’s advice is by far the best.
ps. Keep a diary of her nonsense. |
The big boss was very supportive of my push back but was also careful not to come over the top and over rule my MM boss. He’s urged us to work it out and as she’s now off on leave for two weeks he’s urged me to enjoy the “clear air” and get a few things done without her pounding me every 5 minutes. He also agreed that early morning emails are annoying and he said I have his permission to ignore them until I actually sit down to log on for the day.
So, I’m feeling a bit more comfortable but as I’m on probation for another 4 months I can’t help thinking that she’ll just use the time to play a game of “Gotcha!” with me till she inevitably catches me out on something. Property is a very fluid operational industry so there’s always something going wrong or some spot fire breaking out that isn’t yet extinguished.
Thanks everyone for all the great advice. 😎 | |
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| Micro managers on 05:50 - Feb 20 with 1478 views | SherryHoop |
I've worked for a micro manager for 20 years.
The most important thing for me has been to ensure my own productivity and then put very clear boundaries in as to when I am available to work. I produce what I am asked to and I have learnt what is bottom line to him (use of the systems, tone, inclusion in decision making). The stronger my boundaries are the more he respects them.
Colleagues who have porous Boundaries get more micro managed than I do.
Beyond that I have had to learn to let a lot of stuff go and not get riled by it. To see work as a game and nothing more than that. Not to attach my self worth to my work.
In the long run. I have also decided that I will transition to another career and have started a side hustle that has helped me to focus on something else and relieved any feelings of being overwhelmed at work.
Hope it works out for you. | | | |
| Micro managers on 08:54 - Feb 20 with 1354 views | Spaceman_P |
receiving emails at 5.30am is illegal, its part of various workplace laws. She's not allowed to send you emails when you're out of working hours.
I think the best thing you can do, is basically just keep your head down, do your work, try to get on with the others in the team and just let this prick do what she does. Ultimately its her with the issue not you. I think if you can emotionally detach from it the better and try not let it affect you when you leave.
Alternatively if there is a HR department or a boss above her, then maybe consider speaking to them. |  | | |
| Micro managers on 08:58 - Feb 20 with 1331 views | Spaceman_P |
| Micro managers on 21:08 - Feb 18 by Hooparoo |
Thanks everyone for the good suggestions. For context, I’m the manager of a government property portfolio but as I’m only 5 weeks in I’m still on probation. I was hired by my boss’ boss while she was on stress leave so I think she’s a bit miffed that she had no say in my appointment. I have a gun on the table meeting with the big boss (the one who actually hired me) today so I’m going to launch my counter offensive at that meeting. Got nothing to lose so will be laying it all out.
Warmen sie die Panzers auf! ☠️ |
stress leave..... that say's it all!!! | | | |
| Micro managers on 12:10 - Feb 20 with 1224 views | kensalriser |
What's with the focus on when the emails are being sent?
If I'm contracted to work certain hours for a regular job like this, I'm not signing in to that email account until my work day starts, so it doesn't matter when they're sent. |  |
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| Micro managers on 17:40 - Feb 20 with 1108 views | Match82 |
| Micro managers on 08:54 - Feb 20 by Spaceman_P |
receiving emails at 5.30am is illegal, its part of various workplace laws. She's not allowed to send you emails when you're out of working hours.
I think the best thing you can do, is basically just keep your head down, do your work, try to get on with the others in the team and just let this prick do what she does. Ultimately its her with the issue not you. I think if you can emotionally detach from it the better and try not let it affect you when you leave.
Alternatively if there is a HR department or a boss above her, then maybe consider speaking to them. |
"Receiving emails at 5.30am is illegal"
Can't imagine that's true, would make working at a multinational corporation and sending an email literally impossible if you have someone in Japan and someone in the US copied on the same email.
Certainly expecting someone to respond outside of work hours and punishing them if not should be (even if it's not technically) |  | | |
| Micro managers on 19:16 - Feb 20 with 1041 views | silverbirch |
| Micro managers on 12:10 - Feb 20 by kensalriser |
What's with the focus on when the emails are being sent?
If I'm contracted to work certain hours for a regular job like this, I'm not signing in to that email account until my work day starts, so it doesn't matter when they're sent. |
I agree with this. What time a boss starts work is up to them. As long as they don’t expect activity before your official start time.
Sounds like you’ve started a new job and feel a bit insecure (like most of us would). She may also feel insecure having a new employee foisted on her by her boss. Try not to worry about it (too much) or over react and things will probably settle down. | | | |
| Micro managers on 20:18 - Feb 20 with 974 views | Juzzie |
I believe sending people work emails out of office hours is illegal in France but I don’t think it’s illegal in the UK.
But as others have said, it matters not. I log on when my hours start (and I'm not a clock watcher, I’ve lost count how many thousands of extra hours I’ve done over the last three decades, ‘cos my missus berates me when I'm not leaving work on time!) so it’s up to them when they send them, not my concern.
In the last year there’s been a massive upsurge in micro managing. Some of it I understand why and I have remarked it cannot be long term, just short term to get us over a problem, but some of it is totally ridiculous and feels borne out of insecurity and paranoia from above. They don’t seem to realise it creates an environment of distrust of the staff and affects morale, which it has. Not wanting to be rebellious or disrespectful but I’ve simply ignored some aspects and by not doing it has made no negative impact to my work, performance deliveries etc and it’s never been questioned so it feels to me that proves it’s unnecessary. [Post edited 20 Feb 21:01]
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| Micro managers on 20:32 - Feb 20 with 942 views | TGRRRSSS |
Assuming she isn't abroad so that doesn't apply however with what and flexible working I guess 5.30 am email is OK unless it's done passive aggressive style.
Also you can time emails to be sent maybe for presenteeism
Do the probation I guess settle in and go from there.
Also follow so e of the above. |  | | |
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