Secret Meetings at Work

[Saren2001]

Hi, I wonder if anyone can give me any advice.

I am a Manager working in a small organisation employing around 20 people and manage a team of 20 people. The organisation is quite notorious in the sector for having significant cultural problems, and quite an aggressive and powerful team dynamic.

The previous manager in my role left after a few months, from what I hear a lot of this was due to bullying, and team members arranging secret meetings about her.

I may be paranoid but I suspect members of my team are planning to arrange a secret meeting about me. This is from comments I have picked up in the office and a note left around with a date and list of names, with no meeting scheduled in the office calendar.

Obviously it is quite unnerving to think that a group of your staff may be arranging a clandestine meeting about you, possibly to discuss concerns about you. I would prefer any concerns about my performance to be discussed with my line manager.

Can anyone advise on the best course of action for me?

Thanks

[Saren2001]

Sorry I manage a team of 10 people.

[Tilly2]

You could always turn up at the meeting. I would.

[Prudie]

Possibly come out in the open and ask them straight up. With a team of 10 do you have regular meetings?

[factor-fiction]

Maybe it's to plan a surprise party or choose your Christmas present. I suggest you leave them to it

[China Doll]

It doesn't sound like you really know what's going on. Would they need to arrange cover if some of them were going to a meeting? If that's the case then you could ask what the meeting is about and how it is relevant. If they decide to have a meeting about you outside of working hours then there's nothing you can do about it.

I would just play the waiting game myself. If they have concerns then they'll present them to your and/or your line manager and you deal with it then.

[Psybbo]

I agree with, Tilly, just quote Dave, we're all in it together

[factor-fiction]

Are they holding it in the office in company time?

[Saren2001]

Hi, yes it's in work time, and no they don't need to organise cover in this type of role.

[factor-fiction]

Why not call your own meeting at the same time, or arrange to be in the place where they are having the meeting.

[joeluke]

Paranoia

[woofgang]

If its in work time, then you, as their manager are entitled to know what they are doing and to decide whether to allow them to do it. In these circumstances (been there) there is usually one team member who leads and facilitates and I would be trying to identify that person. I would be wanting to know where the team would be and what they would be doing on that day and I would be walking into that meeting. I would be making crystal clear that anybody who has problems with my behaviour was welcome to take it up with me right then and there which is what I did. No one said a dicky and after that the trouble stopped. People who think they can get away with such childish behaviour will continue to do so until called on it.

[VHG]

Normally within any "angry" group there are always one or two "ring leaders" and the rest tail along behind.

So you need to look at the team and see which of them may be the more likely to organize this sort of thing.

It will probably be the most "vocal", those that moan the most, or those that may have been trade union leaders or similar in the past.

Then have quiet one to one meetings with the most likely suspects.

DONT let them know you suspect any secret meetings, just have a general chat about how happy they are, any problems, also ask them how you are doing etc. This gives them a chance to air any problems.

Also find the most TIMID people in the group who may be being dragged along by the strong ones.

Now have a one to one meeting with them, try to get them in your confidences and ask if everything is alright on the "shop floor" and so on.

That way you attack the problem from both ends.

I would then have a chat with the ones "left out" so nobody suspects anything.

That way you have given them all the chance to get things off their chest.

To be honest regular informal meetings with each of your staff should be an ongoing process to try to nip things like this in the bud.

Try to have open and honest one to one meetings with your staff every 3 months, even put the dates in the diary to make it more formal.

Hopefully they will then moan at you rather than moaning at each other and you can try to sort out their problems.

[VHG]

>>>>and I would be walking into that meeting.

Very confrontational and could cause problems.

[woofgang]

what problems VHG?

[Saren2001]

VDG you are right. There is a clear ring leader but he is extremely good at pulling the strings behind the scenes and makes it very difficult to pin anything on him. Regular supervision and informal meetings take place but it is an organisation going through chance with low morale so issues do come up. Other group members are either easily manipulated to pull the trigger or are passive and go along with the flow.

[Mani_H]

Hi Saren, sorry to hear about your problems. I would document everything you hear or see and wait and see what happens. You have a right to know what staff are doing during work time. If the meeting goes ahead smack a grievance in for harassment that should show them.

[woofgang]

Mani, how is it harassment?

[magsmay]

Sounds like passive aggressive behaviour aimed at getting you 'on edge'. These stories about previous manager and bullying could be just that -stories. You must take control and be proactive. Call a meeting and put everything on the table - let them know that you as manager will not tolerate 'secret meetings' and put into place strategies to address any ongoing concerns -a weekly meeting were everyone can vent their spleen. Make the ring leader realise that you will not be coerced, bullied or worried about what they may do behind your back and that you are indeed their manager and as such will not tolerate this sort of behaviour. Watch them like a hawk and if they disapear follow them and ask them what the hell they are doing - you are the boss For Funks Sake!

[Mani_H]

Harassment because it is victimising and isolating someone.

[magsmay]

@mani-H - is it though? -nothing has happened yet -its all in her mind of what they may be be going to do.