Being undermined and sidelined at work

Grampie different wording than how I would have put it, but the last two paragraphs very succinct.

Emm14, this was a bit like me 3 years ago when a young woman who was on the Fast Track Promotion Scheme became my line manager. I was ( and am) extremely good at my job however she started sidelining me as I work part time; never offered opportunities etc and made pointed remarks about my age! I tried speaking to her but she was dismissive as was her Manager. Anyway, I kept a diary and after a few months I contacted HR and the Union who were very supportive but didn't actually deal with the issue , they just moved her !
It really affected my MH so I totally understand how you are feeling but you need to tackle it through official channels. Good luck.

The Line Manager you have spoken to is remiss in not recognising your concerns. It’s any Managers responsibility to address all concerns raised, to ensure a content and productive work environment. Over confident people are very off putting, their ambition often leads them to trample on others with no empathy. I presume you have annual appraisals which acknowledge your worth etc I agree that this needs jumping on ASAP because most of us are more than happy for help in any field .... but no one has the right to affect your confidence to this degree. They may think she is wonderful, however, team work is just that, working as a “team”. I have found before that highly qualified people are often lacking in basic common sense and life skills. Good luck ...

This is a very tricky situation. You must not let anyone think that it is at all personal. Also tricky. Are you able to strengthen your position through other work colleagues by perhaps supporting them when they need it. And, as one other person has suggested send a shot across her bow, politely of course. Interesting.

Jobs are less important than the processes that serve others.

With your considerable experience and knowledge of these processes you could highlight the wasteful tasks/jobs and define the missing roles that prevent problems thereby replacing wasteful work with a new more productive role: yours.

You may also need to boost your lifelong learning.

After all, our purpose is not to perpetuate our jobs but to deliver better value to customers.

Emm14.Totally on your side
Do NOT under any circumstances have words with this young person who appears to be 'taking over' what you see as your responsibility. Only by approaching senior management & has authority above this young persons line manager can this be dealt with professionally.
Good luck.

The threat comes when the overall manager is enthralled by the new recruit who is just entering the world of work with all it's challenges and fascinations. This is because they are usually brimming with enthusiasm and new ideas, young, overflowing with confidence and totally unaware of treading on other peoples feet, or at keeping their place in the environment they find themselves in. They want to push all the boundaries to prove themselves. It happened to me a few years ago. I had been doing my job for 17 years, and slowly moved up the ladder to middle management. I knew every in and out of the job, had tried everything to find the right balance and had it perfect in my view, my team and my immediate managers views. This new person came in, and everything was tried again (even though we had already tried it) I did mention this of course, but during the course of two years, because this person was the apple of the Senior managers eye, myself and my immediate manager, who had been there for 40 yrs! were made redundant! Only three years early for me, but more for my manager. Ruining our pensions and of course too late to get another job anywhere, certainly on the same salary. This was in a university environment, and I was lucky to have got a reasonable payout from them when I threatened them with constructive dismissal. Still rankles though!! And, is indemic throughout the work place.

You need to keep a written record of the times that she has made it difficult for you to do your job. You can do this retrospectively but from now on in detail. What she did, the impact it had on your job, your action, her response if any.

If you speak to her do it with a witness, otherwise any interaction should be in writing, memo or email so that there can be no question of what you did. Nothing emotional, just fact. Point out that a meeting involves your role and that you were not informed of the meeting. Or that an action she has taken has impacted upon your role.

When you have sufficient evidence ask for an interview with your line manager with HR present. Say that her actions are making it difficult for you to do your job properly. Then the ball is in their court.

You have my deepest sympathy Emm14. I'm inclined towards jenpax's approach. I usually agree with M0nica, but in this case, I think that if you have already pointed out the inappropriateness of this young woman's behaviour, and she has persisted, she is unlikely to respond positively to a further approach. I would go to HR and ask their advice. If they are switched on, they may be able to do something which doesn't involve you directly. Most importantly, keep dated and timed notes of all interactions. They will be evidence if you need them. Fingers crossed you won't. Good luck!

Stay professional and offer little help to what she is trying to do. Just concentrate on your own work, and point out exactly when she encroaches in your area of work and the impact it is having on the company (don't make it personal - otherwise it makes you look bad). You mentioned that her line manager won't help. What about your own line manager? Or, if you have to, go one step up! Also, make strategic alliances with others in your company too and trust in yourself that you are doing a good job.

Good advice from M0nica. Worth speaking to the lady directly. Perhaps you could suggest a task she could focus on that involves her own job in more detail but which would showcase her talents? She’s clearly wanting to show she’s willing and able (which is great) but just needs a nudge back to her own area.

Is she doing this to other people or just you? I think jenpax's approach is the right one.

You could also speak to her directly and inform her that she is encroaching on your section's work and point out to her that this is discourteous and that if she wants to get ahead, and accept that, of course, she does, she must learn to liaise with other sections and managers when her work strays into their territory. Tell her that it takes awhile to develop good inter-personnel skills and offer to supervise the work she is doing so that she gets the most benefit from it.

Sometimes being devious (and deeply subversive) is better than formal approaches.

So glad i no longer have to deal with any of this kind of behaviour since i am retired, it is such an awful feeling and you have my sympathy. I really hope the issues get resolved quickly for your sake. Please let us know the outcome.

Sounds like this is keeping you awake judging by the time you posted this? so it certainly needs tackling. I suspect the young woman is very ambitious and keen to show senior managers that she is a good catch! You didn’t say if she is a trainee manager or just a new starter but I would suggest a friendly word with HR and a possible wider team meeting with the brief that now we have new starters it would be helpful to everyone to have clarity on who is responsible for what so that tasks are not duplicated! If you put it as an efficiency thing then I am sure the seniors will be on board. I presume that she was hired with a named role and job spec and as a new employee should be concentrating on her own role not encroaching into yours?
Do you dislikes her as a person or is it because of the potential job poaching? If the former just stay pleasant but try to avoid extra interactions and if the latter just try to concentrate on a pleasant and subtle shot across the bow!
If you run into serious issues at work such that you feel you need to make a grievance etc (hopefully it won’t cone to this!) ACAS are the best people to talk to
Good luck