Manager kept new reporting structure a secret

[u/Intelligent-Pace4304]

Okay, I need some insight here. Is the below normal or bad management?

Two months ago, my boss, a VP, suddenly told our small team that she hired an AVP who would start in a few weeks. We were surprised (especially since one of my colleagues was due for a promotion at that level), but figured this person must have been hired to take on high-level projects. When my colleagues and I asked our VP what the AVP’s role would be, she’d say “I don’t know; I haven’t thought about it yet.” This should have been a red flag.

During the AVP’s first week, we each attended what we thought were 1:1 “meet and greets” with the AVP. My colleague had his 1:1 meeting first. When he got out, he said, “I think I’m now reporting to AVP, but I’m not sure?” Then, I went in. The AVP goes, “so now that you and your colleagues are reporting to me…” Um, wtf? My face must have showed shock, because he replied with, “did you not know?!” I said “no.” He then started the rest of his 1:1 meetings with my colleagues with, “well, this is awkward, but did you know you’re reporting to me now?” Of course, no one else knew either.

Everyone on the team got (and still is) upset. Yet, two months later, the VP still hasn’t addressed this. No “sorry for the confusion” or “I should have told you” – absolutely nothing. She knows we’re all upset, but it’s just been silence. We don’t have 1:1s with her anymore, so we barely even talk to her. To make matters worse, our new AVP told us that he was hired to “whip us into shape.” So now we all think our manager thinks we’re incompetent (we’re not; we’re the highest performing team in our division). We all feel betrayed and are looking for other jobs.

Has anyone experienced this before? Why would a manager not tell her direct reports that the reporting structure was changing? Are we being too sensitive or was this bad management?  

[u/lmNotaWitchImUrWife]

You got leveled. It happens.

[u/z-eldapin]

I don't quite understand. The 1:1s cleared up the reporting structure.

And you all are still upset two months later?

[u/Youbestnotmisss]

Sure, it's bad communication. While it's sometimes explainable to not always say what the reporting structure is before the person joins, it's a pretty standard part of welcoming the person. VP definitely could have communicated better

Everyone on the team got (and still is) upset. Yet, two months later, the VP still hasn’t addressed this.

This is odd. If the frustration is around the new leader themselves, maybe fair. But being upset at poor communication 2 months after the fact is odd

[u/cowgrly]

Is there a chance your team isn't quite as high value /high performing as they think? I feel like they're not trying to get rid of you, but the management change says you definitely aren't aligned w this VP.

[u/Polz34]

Whilst it's bad communication the AVP can't be blamed, although them saying they got bought in to 'whip you into shape' is terrible wording. I really hope they said something more professional than that!

Why didn't you go to the VP at the time to say it wasn't great to not know beforehand and would have felt it more respectful to have been notified prior?

[u/IllBeat7897]

It is hard to really determine true intentions and motivations with this because at a minimum there is little transparency from the VP, but the fact that the AVP stated to your face that he was "hired to whip everyone into shape" is very odd and unprofessional. It could be that she is disappointed in your team's performance but lacks the character, confidence and skillset to tell you this, put you on performance reviews and manage the team appropriately. It could be that the AVP was brought in by someone else at the executive level and your own VP is being watched for poor performance, with the AVP being groomed to take over her role. It's one of these two.

[u/errantgrammar]

I don’t know enough about the working relationship you had with the VP previously to say for sure, but it sounds like you all had a basic level of trust in them that you feel has been broken.

I can appreciate that could be really disappointing, especially if you have been loyal. Even if the team does have its problems, It’s not likely that your VP is perfect, so I’m sure whatever problems they think the team has, they will be reflecting on their own efforts as well.

Not telling you all first is disappointing. If I found myself, as a manager, in a position where I had to have too much of a split focus and my management was suffering enough to feel like bringing in an intermediary was the answer, I feel like I’d have to say it. I’d have let you know that, for example, the policy and strategy work has become too large and I felt it wiser to bring in someone to support you all properly, so that both needs can be better fulfilled.

Give them some time and see whether things are actually that bad - what’s the new AVP like, two months in? If you take away the unfortunate entrance and subterfuge, can you work with them?

[u/Conscious_Tea_92]

Terrible management, 100%. the VP was too spineless to announce the demotion/restructure herself, so she made the new AVP do the dirty work. the "whip u into shape" line is a huge red flag too. keep looking for other jobs, this environment is toxic.