Employment advice- return of a (previously) mean boss

[adrenalin john]

Did you know she was being interviewed before she was offered the job?

[adrenalin john]

Also how large, formal and structured is your company?

[Lombardarian]

Originally Posted by Reps AJ

Do you know the senior boss to have a chat in person rather than via email?

Yes possibly, though the idea of the email is that I will have a hard copy record for 'insurance' (or atleast something equivalent to that in my mind), otherwise in a years time the boss who hired her may well ask why I never mentioned it when had plenty of opportunities and i'm only doing so as I'm now in 'trouble'.

[Lombardarian]

Originally Posted by adrenalin john

Did you know she was being interviewed before she was offered the job?

I saw her go into the office with the boss(which Ive not mentioned before to him) who has now hired her, but I wasnt supposed to see her and it was never 'announced' she was in for the role. I officially didn't know until she was in the role.

Its a mid-sized, fairy relaxed enviroment corporate, international company owned by European based publisher. certainly not the fairly high turnover, toxic environment of the previous company

[Lombardarian]

Originally Posted by mushroom

Be more likable

Fair comment - but I think it was more due to my face not fitting previously- I was admittedly a bit more hotter headed then tho

[Shoreditch CPFC]

Think I'd ask her boss for advice and propose a chat ahead of her starting and see if they think that is a good idea. It depends on how well you know her boss though.

[west country boy]

Put your cock in her hand and start crying.

[Jim Cannon]

Originally Posted by little al

Ask to have a quiet chat, when she's not on her period.

[Maz]

Originally Posted by Lombardarian

I am going to sleep on it for a few nights but this is similar to what I am considering sending to the boss who has hire my now new boss:
Good afternoon,
I am very much looking forward to getting our XXX run rate back up for 2021 including working with our new Sales Director - I think she could be great for the team! I didn’t mention this earlier as thought it would be unfair of me to influence the recruitment process and although it was a very long time ago, and in a very different environment, I feel if I didn’t say something I would be doing myself a disservice. When I worked with XXX previously our relationship wasn’t great to be honest. She was my team leader for a while on XXX and during my time I felt I was unfairly treated, spoken down to and on a few occasions my bonuses were stopped. There were also numerous trips to the HR instigated by XXX for what in my view were unfair reasons. I appreciate this was a long time ago and in a fairly toxic environment and am sure we have both come along way since then and I look forward to welcoming XX to the team, but I would be dishonest by not mentioning this.

It would be a very bad idea to send this.

What, for instance, would be in the slightest way dishonest about not mentioning that you have worked previously with a new employee? It simply reads as though you are expecting trouble, and trying to pass a buck to your boss. All you will do is give him headaches, which he probably doesn’t need right now.

[Tomo]

Originally Posted by Shoreditch CPFC

Think I'd ask her boss for advice and propose a chat ahead of her starting and see if they think that is a good idea. It depends on how well you know her boss though.

That's not a terrible shout actually. Just make your concerns know and ask how you think you should handle it, but reiterate you don't think it's an issue.
You can then follow up with an email saying...

"thanks for your time and your advice. As discussed I don't foresee any issues, but just wanted to make sure that you were aware of what happened in the past with myself and XXX."

or words to that effect.

I don't know if you saw my DM Lombardio with another suggestion...

[Jim Cannon]

Originally Posted by Lombardarian

Fair comment - but I think it was more due to my face not fitting previously- I was admittedly a bit more hotter headed then tho

Out of interest, if you are saying you yourself have changed, and are better at your job now, than back in the day, was the disciplinary action against you totally unfair, or was there anything you could have done better at the time? If I was in your situation I would just treat her normally and let her judge you on your work here and now and see you for the person you are now. The one thing she cannot hold against you is the past, as that was in another company and was dealt with. If there is any genuine evidence she has it in for you in this job, you can then raise the past history. Also, bear in mind she might be your new boss but she will still be on probation at the moment so she will have to tread carefully.

[Reps AJ]

Originally Posted by west country boy

Put your cock in her hand and start crying.

Reading between the lines, that was the problem in the first place

[Maz]

Originally Posted by Jim Cannon

Out of interest, if you are saying you yourself have changed, and are better at your job now, than back in the day, was the disciplinary action against you totally unfair, or was there anything you could have done better at the time? If I was in your situation I would just treat her normally and let her judge you on your work here and now and see you for the person you are now. The one thing she cannot hold against you is the past, as that was in another company and was dealt with. If there is any genuine evidence she has it in for you in this job, you can then raise the past history. Also, bear in mind she might be your new boss but she will still be on probation at the moment so she will have to tread carefully.

Exactly. Good advice.

[Worksop Palace]

As I’ve been beaten to the proper responses of ‘is she worth a dollop’ and ‘put your cock in her hand and start crying’....

I wouldn’t be putting anything on writing at this stage.

I’d be arranging a meeting, virtually no doubt, and just have a general chat and see what that brings up.

Don’t go rushing head long to start flagging up previous issues with your bosses.

[Joe85]

Originally Posted by Lombardarian

I am going to sleep on it for a few nights but this is similar to what I am considering sending to the boss who has hire my now new boss:
Good afternoon,
I am very much looking forward to getting our XXX run rate back up for 2021 including working with our new Sales Director - I think she could be great for the team! I didn’t mention this earlier as thought it would be unfair of me to influence the recruitment process and although it was a very long time ago, and in a very different environment, I feel if I didn’t say something I would be doing myself a disservice. When I worked with XXX previously our relationship wasn’t great to be honest. She was my team leader for a while on XXX and during my time I felt I was unfairly treated, spoken down to and on a few occasions my bonuses were stopped. There were also numerous trips to the HR instigated by XXX for what in my view were unfair reasons. I appreciate this was a long time ago and in a fairly toxic environment and am sure we have both come along way since then and I look forward to welcoming XX to the team, but I would be dishonest by not mentioning this.

I wouldn’t send that.

[Sharkba1t]

I would maybe speak to HR and let them know about your past history with this person. But be clear that you love your job and really don't want any issues, and that you will act as professionally as you always do. It might be worthwhile HR having a record of your conversation.
Also, if you have a one to one with this person and you plan to record it, you have to let them know that that is what you are doing.
Hopefully though you will be able to work together without any issues.

[Lombardarian]

Thanks again all. she doesn’t start till end of Feb so there is a fair bit of time - I won’t send that email l(or any other relating to previous probs) for now atleast. As Jim Cannon rightly alluded to, whilst my treatment was unfair, I was not perfect and was sometimes outspoken so perhaps I said something which upset the wrong person/people. But many of my friends and colleagues at the time were very much on my side.

[cpfc4evandeva]

Originally Posted by Sharkba1t

I would maybe speak to HR and let them know about your past history with this person. But be clear that you love your job and really don't want any issues, and that you will act as professionally as you always do. It might be worthwhile HR having a record of your conversation.
Also, if you have a one to one with this person and you plan to record it, you have to let them know that that is what you are doing.
Hopefully though you will be able to work together without any issues.

What's that based on? I have recorded plenty of conversations previously, mostly as it is easier than note taking, occasionally as insurance for private meetings with people I severely distrusted. I haven't told people that because there is no need.

[Direwolf]

I guess I'm the only one thinking this is about a sequel to the film Mean Boss where current sensitivities are reflected in the title alongside the prospect of a happy ending?

[Pidster]

Originally Posted by Lombardarian

I am going to sleep on it for a few nights.

A radical approach, good luck.

BTW I don’t think they like be called “it”.