Bad Manners and Brimstone

I don't think we know enough about the structure of your company. That said, I don't know that the director did anything wrong. Unless you are supposed to be involved in hiring for the Senior position, there really is no reason to discuss it with you. When and if you lose an analyst for whatever reason (moving away, going to another company....being promoted to the senior position), that is when you would need to be consulted. It's not like you could prevent one of "your" analysts from taking another job.

I understand that apparently people felt awkward with you not being consulted or in the loop, but I don't really see why you would be based on what you have told us. Personally, I would let this go.

Already have an update:  My Director stopped by and let me know that this Sr. person reached out to my team member without his consent, and that he was bothered by it also. This guy does not report to him, either so it is technically against policy for this guy to have done what he did by approaching her without an OK from one of us.   

This happened Friday while my boss was traveling. But we both agree it's a neat opportunity for her and we do want to make it happen.  So we will sit down next week to discuss the details and plan how it will work with her current duties.  She will remain under my management and we will figure out how to fit in some extra duties.   He really is a great boss.

I am not following the green bolded. What is the policy?

Quote from: Hanna on November 19, 2018, 09:50:43 am

Already have an update:  My Director stopped by and let me know that this Sr. person reached out to my team member without his consent, and that he was bothered by it also. This guy does not report to him, either so it is technically against policy for this guy to have done what he did by approaching her without an OK from one of us.   

This happened Friday while my boss was traveling. But we both agree it's a neat opportunity for her and we do want to make it happen.  So we will sit down next week to discuss the details and plan how it will work with her current duties.  She will remain under my management and we will figure out how to fit in some extra duties.   He really is a great boss.

I am not following the green bolded. What is the policy?

We are not allowed to recruit internally without discussing with the other managers involved first.  If there is a role open anyone can apply, but we cannot recruit.  However, this Sr. guy doesn't manage anyone and has no reason to know this. If my own boss decided to move people around under his chain of command, he certainly has a right to do so.  But if he started doing that without my involvement it would really erode the trust we have built.  It would make it difficult to meet my responsibilities with a reduced staff and while I am willing to do that if I know the thought process behind the changes, if I had to do so with no discussion at all it would be frustrating.

I have more info now and it is actually just specific set of duties that Sr. guy wants to pass to Evangeline.  We definitely do not have the right to ask people that report to other people to take on extra responsibilities without going through their manager.  And particularly when it is exciting work, asking without first checking with the manager for approval is a bit like offering a child a puppy without the parents' approval.  He cannot know if it is possible for her to fulfill her own obligations while fitting this in, or what the repercussions would be to my team.

Just found out that Sr. guy apologized to her this morning for not speaking to me first. He said he realized it wasn't the right way to go about this.

Anyway, it will all work out, and it will be really good for Evangeline, and ultimately for the company.

So glad this worked out, and that you are lending your support to this person in such a positive way.

If it were to happen again with someone different, I'd email that person, copying your boss, and just acknowledge what an exciting and positive opportunity it is for your direct report. It's a way to declare your professional "authority" (for lack of a better word) in the matter without using language that comes across as territorial or negative.

That's a great idea!  We ended up sitting down together and discussing (boss, me, other guy), and my boss asked me to put the parameters around it.  This work will really come under my responsibility once my team member is trained, meaning if she left, I would have to figure out how our team could continue to manage the work.  I made it clear that I want clear training, documentation and then cross training for at least one other person on the team.  Also a heads up any time it might take more than a few hours out of her time within a week.  Everyone agreed this was a good path.  They are actually training together right now.  She's really excited!

Also, my boss is just great!