I am production supervisor and have an employee that I believe is backstabbing me in an attempt to get my job.
Asked by sno
This employee has been with the company for 3 years. I have been with the company for 8 months. She transferred from the main office to my location 5 weeks after I was hired. My boss encouraged me to use her as a resource since she is familiar with the standards he is looking for. He informed me that she is one of his best producers so it is important to keep her in my employ. On the days when I am extremely busy, she offered to contact the main office with any issues. I welcomed this but found out that she is doing this daily after hours reporting on my performance. She tells me that she has been designated to take on special projects, but that she can't discuss because they are confidential. Because of her history with the company, my boss trusts her input. A superior will be visiting my plant this week and the employee has eluded that I may be terminated. I have done the job as told, but I fear her reports do not convey this. How do I defend myself? I can't lose this job! It is the employee in question who eluded to the possibility that I could be terminated. She didn't come right out and say it, but hinted that there were some major changes going to take place. I half-jokingly asked if I was going to be fired. She didn't say yes or no, but had a cockiness to her that leaves me wondering. I do know that she tends to dramatize alot of things and am trying to keep that in mind. Another thing is the fact that my boss gave me a a four figure Christmas gift and I can't believe he'd do that if he was planning termination. I don't know what to think anymore. She has verbally criticized me in front of the other employees and I feel my hands are tied because of the high standards my boss has of her. The thing is, she will never get my job because she does not have the education nor the experience in management. She is best suited in production. I have to quit beating myself up over this! Thank you for all the input. I can't choose a "best" answer because they are all very good. The superior that is coming this week has just been hired in a newly created position and will oversee production at all plant locations. He is the person I need to deal with. I just need to do so in a manner that doesn't make me sound like I am making excuses or pointing fingers. A couple of things I need to clarify is that it was at my boss' request that the employee in question field the calls to headquarters since she is more familiar with who to deal with. Also, my facility is small and there is no other dept. for her to transfer to. There is a part of me that is wondering if she really has said anything about me, but is leading me to "think" that way so I would do exactly what I am loing this weekend...stressing out over all this. Besides, an effective manager is one who delegates work to others and consistently meets production deadlines. That's what I've done. whew...thanks all oh...one more thing.. I have not had ANY review what so ever since I started. The only feedback I have had was from one of the salespeople who commended me for doing a great job at filling all orders in a timely manner. I have asked for feedback on various occasions so I know what direction I need to take but am told to just make sure and do whatever it takes to keep pushing POs out the door. I need to stop speculating on what might or might not happen. I was once fired from a job and never had a chance to defend myself and in thinking back, I could have saved myself if I had been prepared. I just don't want that to happen again... thanks all!

Best Answer:
You need to schedule a meeting with your boss to discuss this situation. Be upfront with him and tell him that the employee is undermining you and that you would be more comfortable if she were assigned elsewhere. Explain that while you and your boss both agree that she is a competent, knowledgeable employee, you are now experienced enough to run the department without her. Also tell him that for you to be effective as a supervisor, you must have his support in this decision. Hindsight is 20/20, but in retrospect you made a mistake by allowing her to have direct contact with your superiors. It is never appropriate for one of your employees to bypass you in the chain of command/authority. Remember that there can only be one boss in your department and you must be it. This woman has taken some of your power and you have to get it back. Otherwise, start looking for another job. Additional: I read your added comments about the situation. You are in a bind because I see some weak management above you. However, it sounds like you are meeting your boss's goals, so stop stressing. It's quite obvious to me that your employee is playing some mind games with you and the fact that you were once fired is making you pyschologically vulnerable to her games. You're tiptoeing around trying to not make waves, but all that is happening is that she's seized your power. This BS about her having exclusive contact with the "right" people and having secret jobs to do can't be tolerated anymore. As her boss, it's your job to assign her her job duties and she cannot be allowed to take liberties. What I think is actually happening is that she's not necessarily talking to your boss about your performance. Instead, she's probably gossiping about you to her peers in the higher office. I also don't think she's been given any secret projects to work on - that's just her excuse to do what she wants and get paid for it. You do need to discuss this situation with your boss in the right way. You don't want to be seen as a weak manager who is whining. You do need to be seen as a proactive manager who is able to nip the problem and you are asking for his support. Explain that this employee is becoming a loose cannon and you have to reign her in. You must handle the situation, not your boss, but he must be willing to back you up when the employee creates a fuss about it. You've been there long enough to know who the right contact people are, so tell her that making the phone calls will no longer be her job. In fact, if there is no need for her to make phone calls, you may consider moving the phone away from her desk. By being the contact person, you will learn a lot more about your job and will develop the network you need to be an essential part of the company. You must also put a stop to her secret projects. Her salary is coming out of your budget, therefore she must do only work that you assign to her. If she is approached about taking on extra projects by someone up the chain, then she must route the request through you. You might want to review her job description and modify it appropriately. If she doesn't like it, she may have to consider finding a different job and you have to be willing to let her go if she wants to go. If she threatens to quit, you response should be, "I will be sorry to see you leave, but I understand and support your decison." Your manager will value your ability to handle this situation without his having to step in and do it for you. P.S. Why is she hanging around the office after hours, anyway? Send her home when her shift is over, even it means you have to stay over to ensure the place is emptied out.
Been there, done that several times.
Answered by majormomma

Welcome to the world of office politics. Awful, isn't it? The sad fact is, that if your boss truly adores this employee as much as it seems, then her opinion will carry a lot of weight in the decision as to whether or not you "are a good fit for the company/position." All you can really do is perform your job to the best of your ability, so they have no real grounds on which to act....but even that won't guarantee safety.
Answered by AJ

I agree with AJ. It's a tough go with this kind of competition and this co-worker knows it. Knowing you are doing the best you know how is all you can do. She is making you feel threatened and the sad part is if you complain about her you will be the one out the door. Keep your head up and don't quit unless you have another job to go to. Don't let your guard down with her. So the superior comes in, you just be yourself and do your job. Which employee eluded you that you may be terminated, because if that was her than she breached confidentiality and can be reported to head office. I agree with PJ on this one. This girl is trying to manipulate you. She is not your boss. Like I said keep your head high. She is not the decision maker so don't listen to what she is saying. have you had an evaluation on your job since you started?
Answered by Bella

Very scary.Fight fire with fire.Personally if your perception is correct a conference is in order.I would ask your supervisor for a meeting.Take time to evaluate the situation.Rehearse your meeting in advance.Several times so you appear calm,collected and prepared with answers to the negative questions your young mentor may have planted. Make sure your body language conveys confidence.Keep your words well chosen.DO NOT slam the employee.Suggest you have some concerns you have been too busy to address.Have a notebook with a written list of dates & times you have legitimate concerns.Open your book,state the facts calmly. It sounds like she is a corporate climber,using unethical skills to get to the top. You only have her word that all of these facts are true.She and others like her are depending on the fact, you are fearful. Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear
Answered by P J