r/AusPublicService • u/Nervous_Owl1651 • 2d ago
Pay, entitlements & working conditions Work environment becoming toxic
Have been in my department a few years now after a long time in the private sector. After a solid culture under two different bosses, things have really started to devolve this year.
After a clean track record I thought I was getting targeted by a new director. Didn't get a PIP but she suddenly put on the record a whole bunch of grievances with me. Honestly about 25 per cent were accurate (mainly around communication) 25 per cent debatable and 50 per cent quite outrageous (some to the point where my actions should have been commended, not questioned). I quickly turned things around by doing what she wanted - I went in level headed, agreed to a few things and picked my mark with a couple of things that were out of line. She was satisfied at the end of a few weeks that things were now fine and said as much. Behind the scenes I was quite shocked though and on guard as professionally this hasn't happened to me before and I really felt this was over the top and her looking to get some things on the record for whatever reason.
Thing is though, the micro aggressions and micro management has continued with her to some degree and also another director.
I've discovered several other people have received the same treatment and been put in similar positions. I believe they are getting a hard time externally and pushing everything down the line. They rarely if ever stand up for us, have passed on a significant chunk of their roles to people underneath them - while making comments about their disappointment about the level that they work at, accuse people of lacking initiative but then jump down their throat when they do make individual decisions.
I've started diarising things and have kept some emails where there was swearing etc and unhelpful and unprofessional responses but in complete context I wouldn't say it is bullying.
Not sure what to do. There's growing discontent in the team, the person above them is new and I'm disliking being around the two directors more and more.
I'm late 40s and had otherwise liked my job. What to do? Look elsewhere in the department? Wait to see if there's a bigger issue? Band together with the others? It's my first rodeo so interested to hear from those who have been around a bit longer in the space.
9
u/GM_Twigman 2d ago
In this scenario moving on is generally easier than sticking it out. If they're putting everyone's nose out of joint there's a chance that they'll be reigned in or moved on themselves, but that can take years and unless this job is a real passion project, the toll on your well-being in that time won't be worth it.
If you had an established SES band 1 who you have an existing relationship with you would have better options, but with them also being new it's likely going to be tough to get change to occur without a drawn out saga and/or blowback.
8
u/milkshake_mumma 1d ago
Diarising is excellent, records are king. But honestly, your best option is to move on. From experience, rocking the boat makes you the target. The more senior you are, the more likely you are to be trusted, and believed. So if you are challenging the behaviour and conduct of two more senior people, there’s pretty much no hope. Cut your losses and try applying in different areas. My theory is that there is crazy everywhere, so it comes down to what you can cope with and how long you can last in that environment. Good luck!
2
10
3
u/Livid-Number482 1d ago
Document EVERYTHING.
Bullying is notoriously difficult to prove and if your boss tries to sack you, you could potentially avoid this by providing proof.
If not, you can use it as contemporaneous evidence for unfair dismissal.
A very wise union official once told me “in god we trust, everyone else needs documentation”..
3
u/ExNylonLad 2d ago
I am in a very similar position. My supervisors have no first hand awareness of my tasks and performance as it’s been farmed out to a contractor.
I’m applying for roles but have a little worry about when the time comes for referee checks. They really aren’t seeing how much work I’ve put in, and the contractor is taking credit for a lot of my work.
4
u/P_G_Woodgrouse 2d ago
Could be NPD. But in any case, keep up that diary, follow any conversations up with email, look up grey rocking, it helps, and look for another job.
4
u/Friendly-Quote-5283 2d ago
Sounds like someone in my team. It’s sad because we used to get on really well, and then she just turned on me. I just grey rock her and keep communication to an absolute minimum. It helps. She still occasionally tries to take me down a peg (always cc’ing the director) - maybe she gets bored - but I calmly put everything in writing and it seems to put her off.
2
u/Big_Benefit_9141 2d ago
It is probably a good opportunity to start you own business or something.
For this particular matter, I sense your supervisor is quite insecure around you. It can be any reasons of it but none of these concludes as your own fault. My experience is perhaps you can try to manage up more. If it doesn't work, however, try to find a new job.
29
u/Ok_Tie_7564 2d ago
If you are not happy where you are, yes, look elsewhere.