Recently, my manager expressed dissatisfaction that I was working on a project for another team. I had come into the company thinking it was a place where people would explore where they fit in, and make the biggest difference. That's how it was sold, at least. But my manager, it turns out she thought different. During one company function, she was drunk and giving advice. She said you have to give it up to the person above you, essentially that everyone should know their place and make the person above them look good, in turn for their supervisor taking care of their interests. Basically she's very pro-feudalism. She's recently tried to put me on a PIP, and when I look at the points I have to improve on, it's written in very vague language, and is all non-technical. As well, she's moving me to another of the company's offices, knowing it will make my commute time triple. This will also put me away from upper management and HR. In addition she's been telling people behind my back to take me off certain projects so I can "focus on my new role". I really need some advice. I'm close to my 1 year cliff, in fact she even said that's a reason she "looked into my file". What can I do when a manager is trying to make life hard for me under the pretense of giving me a chance to improve? There are other teams, but I haven't heard of people transferring very often. As well, she's senior and so definitely is more valuable to the company than any one person under her, so I doubt picking a fight over unfair treatment would help. I do want to stay at this company if I can, and I feel like I'm being unfairly targeted because I don't have the same feudal career philosophy as her. TC 120k (Not SWE, in case this affects your analysis and advice, mechatronics/math background)
Dont talk to HR. Document everything. Emails, conversations, etc. then start looking elsewhere. If you see a hint of discrimination as a protected class, slam her with a lawsuit. There is nothing you can do to change an idiots mind.
If you're close to the 1 year, ride it out until then, then try to transfer to one of the other teams you've been working with. If you can't, probably leave. Even if you get piped they shouldn't be able to fire you for a while anyway.
She said the PIP is 2 weeks. Which is just enough time to finish some dirty setup work, but not enough to really do anything else. I'm wondering if she's trying to use me once before firing me.
PIP guidelines say it has to be at least 30 days. Do your due diligence and read the policy docs. EDIT: My bad. I thought this was in Amazon's forum. LinkedIn below is correct. Each company has their own policy.
Look to move to a different department internationally or a new employer.
No international offices. New employer I guess. Is your company hiring? I'm quite impressed with their equipment actually.
Tektronix is going through a lot of changes. They sold off the video business unit earlier this year and announced dividing the company into two separate companies earlier this week. There are openings but keep that in mind. The HQ is in Beaverton Oregon but there are some remote positions.
Leave. But the day you put in your papers make sure you talk to your skip and potentially his/her manager about what a terrible manager you have had. Explain how it is likely to affect the current team even if it isn’t going to.
This. Whether you leave now or end up leaving later. And be sure not to sound like a petulant sore loser lashing back, but just someone who honestly wants to leave clear feedback behind so that there's no confusion and there's maybe a chance for the company to learn and improve from this. Even if the company doesn't use anything you say, at least you can say that you tried one last time to help on your way out. And, who knows, maybe one of those higher-ups you have this last honest conversation with will remember you in the future.
I disagree with this recommendation. The only times I've heard of anyone successfully combating a bad manager, the manager and the skip BOTH had their promotions held up. If the manager is bad, the skip level is likely to be an enabler; even if they are not, they will have skin in the game that will keep them from helping you.
OP I remember you had another long post about a similar issue a while ago. Is it the same manager?
Yeah, within a day of giving the PIP she started to make additional demands that's going to make life real hard. Work, sleep and commute is all I have time for now in a day.
I see. I agree with most of the opinions here. Keep it cool, and try your best to get out from under such a manager. Switch teams or companies whatever... I hope you get a better manager at a better company.
Are you working on a project for another team? If yes, why? Is that approved by your manager?
Put everything else down except what she wants, drop your ego (don’t fight a battle with her you know you can’t win), focus and crush the PIP! Then find a new job and get the hell out of there.
Working for another team, over your own...Take it as your mistake, learn from this and leave. Manager should have guided you though.
How is this a bad thing. It was good for the company as a whole for me to do that.
It's not up to the peons to determine what's best for the company... most of upper management's insight to your productivity is funneled through your supervisor, so it is best to do what they want. Sounds to me like she might be in trouble for something and may be taking it out on you.
You are probably not a great fit for your team. Best to get an outside offer while keeping your current job somehow
TC?
120k (not a software eng, another type of eng)