Do you have any harsh critics at work (who would like to see you fired!)? (employees, credit)

[In Serious Debt]

I am unemployed now but when I was working it was amazing how many times I was criticized by others. Much of the criticism was behind closed doors in quiet wispers. Or gossip about me that I heard about through friends in the office. Other people made up lies about me to try to discredit me, so I would lose influence, or even be fired.

Rarely if ever did one of my critics come up to me and speak to me face to face and express their concerns so we could talk to each other and problem solve face to face. Instead, the criticism was passive aggressive.

I was an Office Manager and had to do things that were unpopular or without services based on executive direction.

Yes, I deserved some of the crticism but some of my actions and decisions that were extremely unpopular were based on a lack of money and directives from senior management. In other cases no matter what decision I made someone would get really mad. I just wish the critics would have come to me to discuss their concerns.

So, have you ever been a victim of harsh gossip driven criticism at work? If so, how did you handle it?

[proudmommy]

Was the criticism deserved?

Not everyone is harshly criticized. Maybe you deserved it?

[Back to NE]

Oh yes ISD, I know the concept well (personally and with others).

I was enjoying a 3yr tenure at a certain agency, well regarded, many allies in high places, yet my Director just decided she couldn't stand me. She was an unhappy person who was frightened by my standing and would call me in her office to say basically she didn't like my style.

Long story short, I found a good job elsewhere, her hate started getting her in trouble, she started losing more employees, got banished on a detail and she ended up retiring early.

This kind of thing is evil without being illegal. When someone is such an A-hole on the job that they force someone to leave or breakdown. It is affecting someone's livelihood. And I'm not talking about supervisor/subordinate relationships, those are different.

[caldercay]

Originally Posted by proudmommy

Was the criticism deserved?

Not everyone is harshly criticized. Maybe you deserved it?

That's what I'm thinking. As a rule, people (especially
groups of people) don't criticize someone just out of
spite - the criticism is usually "deserved". After all, the
OP did mention, "Yes, I deserved some of the crticism".

If the criticism were untrue, and it was me being
criticized, you'd bet I'd confront those criticizing me.
And I might even be motivated to bring it up with
management.

[In Serious Debt]

I never said everyone or even a large number of people were criticizing me. But a number of people were. Though maybe it came with the territory.

I don't agree that people won't generally criticize someone unless it is true. Every place I have worked there was signficant criticism about company managers who were forced to make difficult unpopular decisions.

If I went to the people who were complaining about me they always denied it and when I pushed it, they went to my boss and said I was harrassing them!

Originally Posted by caldercay

That's what I'm thinking. As a rule, people (especially
groups of people) don't criticize someone just out of
spite - the criticism is usually "deserved". After all, the
OP did mention, "Yes, I deserved some of the crticism".

If the criticism were untrue, and it was me being
criticized, you'd bet I'd confront those criticizing me.
And I might even be motivated to bring it up with
management.

[STT Resident]

Originally Posted by In Serious Debt

I never said everyone or even a large number of people were criticizing me. But a number of people were. Though maybe it came with the territory.

But you did say, "when I was working it was amazing how many times I was criticized by others" which would lead a reader to question your own role in the criticism. You said you went to the people who were allegedly criticizing you and they denied doing so and, "when I pushed it, they went to my boss and said I was harrassing them!"

I'm guessing that you're not a very good communicator and one of the prerequisites of a good manager is good communication. It wasn't your niche and you might want to re-assess your career goals and what best suits you where a working environment is concerned. Good luck!

[manderly6]

If I do I have never heard about it.

[tomkat26]

Being criticized for the choices that you make as a manger happens. Even if you have good communications skills there will always be that one person who will criticize you. So don't pay attention to all that and just focus on your work.

[Koale]

Some of my critics I thank for their constructive criticism...the others I advise to 'Bite Me'...

[Aquaboy]

At my old company we had two technicians that dissed me and lots of other employees. What they really wanted was to scam all the overtime and big projects. They got away with it for years until a new manager, a woman with "cojones", shut them down. It was a glorious day!!