What the actual…

Author
Discussion

Dbag101

Original Poster:

1,023 posts

7 months

Saturday 14th December 2024
quotequote all
Righto, long story short, a while back I had a big run in with a senior manager, at a previous employer. The upshot was that they screwed up, I benefited massively. I left, then ( metaphorically) torpedoed their position, from a place of safety. I was informed that it had worked, and they were toast. Good, they deserved it. However, at a meeting this week H.R. ( where I am now ) announced that we had a new ‘operations type person’ joining us in the new year. Yep, you’ve guessed it, it’s them. Right, this is going to be fun, so I can guarantee they don’t know I’m where they are going ( yet ). So how do I deal with this? My vindictive side says, go in two footed again, and hope they get removed before the probation period is up, but the can’t be bothered side of me says fly below the radar, and react to anything they try, as and when it happens. I can’t imagine the leopard has changed their spots, so I’m all primed and ready for whatever transpires.

Time4another

370 posts

16 months

Saturday 14th December 2024
quotequote all
I'd be bringing up what went before to HR or your manager. Get your side of the story in first.

Dbag101

Original Poster:

1,023 posts

7 months

Saturday 14th December 2024
quotequote all
Time4another said:
I'd be bringing up what went before to HR or your manager. Get your side of the story in first.
That was my thoughts as well. However, there’s a twist in the tale. The previous company insisted that I sign a waiver, where I’m not allowed to say anything directly negative about them, ( or anyone else in the company, or the company ) to anyone requiring a reference, or info, or the deal was off. I was fine with that, I really couldn’t give a toss about any of it, until now.

Collectingbrass

2,509 posts

208 months

Saturday 14th December 2024
quotequote all
Unless you dont have a presence on linked in at all, even not being named on any corporate PR posts, he'll know where you are you need to get in first. All you should say is : "you might be aware I worked with X at Y. In case you're thinking of asking me for a reference I'm afraid I'm unable to provide one." Wholly in keeping with what you signed and should set off sufficient alarm bells.


Kuwahara

1,207 posts

31 months

Saturday 14th December 2024
quotequote all
Dbag101 said:
That was my thoughts as well. However, there’s a twist in the tale. The previous company insisted that I sign a waiver, where I’m not allowed to say anything directly negative about them, ( or anyone else in the company, or the company ) to anyone requiring a reference, or info, or the deal was off. I was fine with that, I really couldn’t give a toss about any of it, until now.
How would they know if it’s just verbal and no minutes being taken , I’m under a similar situation at work and I often think how could it be enforced.

Countdown

43,929 posts

209 months

Saturday 14th December 2024
quotequote all
is he going to be your manager ort have some kind of direct impact on your work?

If not I'd let sleeping dogs lie.

Sy1441

1,275 posts

173 months

Saturday 14th December 2024
quotequote all
So this person is more senior than you are and you shafted them? Do you have 2 years service in your role? If not I'd be getting a tad nervous as if I was the new senior person coming and you didn't have employment rights you would be toast.

Dbag101

Original Poster:

1,023 posts

7 months

Saturday 14th December 2024
quotequote all
Collectingbrass said:
Unless you dont have a presence on linked in at all, even not being named on any corporate PR posts, he'll know where you are you need to get in first. All you should say is : "you might be aware I worked with X at Y. In case you're thinking of asking me for a reference I'm afraid I'm unable to provide one." Wholly in keeping with what you signed and should set off sufficient alarm bells.
Okay, thanks, that sounds like the best way to deal with it. I don’t have any presence on LinkedIn, and haven’t had since 2008. They will have access to H.R. records where I am now, and will know of my presence, as soon as they look though.

Edited by Dbag101 on Saturday 14th December 20:32

Dbag101

Original Poster:

1,023 posts

7 months

Saturday 14th December 2024
quotequote all
Kuwahara said:
How would they know if it’s just verbal and no minutes being taken , I’m under a similar situation at work and I often think how could it be enforced.
I had to sign a paper, with a solicitor present. They were a bit twitchy about it to say the least.

Digger

15,514 posts

204 months

Saturday 14th December 2024
quotequote all
This thread has a faint whiff . . .

Just me?

Countdown

43,929 posts

209 months

Saturday 14th December 2024
quotequote all
Also if “they screwed up and you benefited massively “ why do you have it in for them?

Surely you’d be hoping to massively benefit again?

Dbag101

Original Poster:

1,023 posts

7 months

Saturday 14th December 2024
quotequote all
Sy1441 said:
So this person is more senior than you are and you shafted them? Do you have 2 years service in your role? If not I'd be getting a tad nervous as if I was the new senior person coming and you didn't have employment rights you would be toast.
And therein lies the problem. I haven’t been in post for very long, whereas I was at the last place for 24 years, and the person in question is going to be right in my firing line ( so to speak ). My saving grace is that they know I won’t hesitate to go in all guns blazing ( metaphorically speaking ) if needs be. So possibly might just wind their neck in a bit, before making any rash moves. This is all hypothetical at present, they might have learned their lesson, and won’t be a problem at all.

Edited by Dbag101 on Saturday 14th December 20:18

Dbag101

Original Poster:

1,023 posts

7 months

Saturday 14th December 2024
quotequote all
Countdown said:
Also if “they screwed up and you benefited massively “ why do you have it in for them?

Surely you’d be hoping to massively benefit again?
I say let bygones be bygones, I’m just not convinced they will see it that way.

Alex Z

1,711 posts

89 months

Saturday 14th December 2024
quotequote all
Unless your previous manager is going to be in any way supervising you, I’d just leave it well alone.
If they are, then having a quiet word with HR or your new manager to let them know there’s a history is wise.

Dbag101

Original Poster:

1,023 posts

7 months

Saturday 14th December 2024
quotequote all
Countdown said:
is he going to be your manager ort have some kind of direct impact on your work?

If not I'd let sleeping dogs lie.
Yes, they are going to be directly above me, previous form says they are not someone I’d relish having a lot to do with. However, my sensible side agrees that I should just let it fly, and react accordingly if necessary.

Dbag101

Original Poster:

1,023 posts

7 months

Saturday 14th December 2024
quotequote all
Alex Z said:
Unless your previous manager is going to be in any way supervising you, I’d just leave it well alone.
If they are, then having a quiet word with HR or your new manager to let them know there’s a history is wise.
There’s no way I’m going to be able to avoid them, so I may need to manage this carefully. I don’t think pre emptively whacking the hornet’s nest with a stick, is the way to go, I’m siding with just keeping quiet, and taking it as it comes.

InitialDave

12,992 posts

132 months

Saturday 14th December 2024
quotequote all
Dbag101 said:
torpedoed their position, from a place of safety.
Apparently not.

Dbag101

Original Poster:

1,023 posts

7 months

Saturday 14th December 2024
quotequote all
InitialDave said:
Apparently not.
Yeah, I should have said ‘perceived safety’. I did not expect them to turn up again.

dudleybloke

20,553 posts

199 months

Saturday 14th December 2024
quotequote all
Thunderdome.

InitialDave

12,992 posts

132 months

Saturday 14th December 2024
quotequote all
Dbag101 said:
Yeah, I should have said ‘perceived safety’. I did not expect them to turn up again.
I'm really trying not to be a dick here, but there's definitely a take-home message from this.