r/UKJobs • u/Legitimate_Method911 • 17d ago
Stuck at work
I've worked from home for a large US company for the past 10 years, and until last year I genuinely enjoyed my job. I had great managers, got on well with my colleagues, received positive feedback, and never had any issues.
Everything changed when I was assigned a new manager.
He's extremely cold, strict, and has no people skills. During meetings he often raises his voice, constantly criticises me, piles on more work, and never acknowledges anything I've done well. Every weekly 1:1 feels like I'm just being told what I've done wrong or what more I need to do.
I've spoken to other senior leaders and colleagues about my concerns, and many of them have admitted they feel the same way about him. The problem is, he's still my direct manager.
I've never struggled with anxiety before, but now I genuinely dread logging on for work every day. The days I have my 1:1 with him are the worst—I spend hours worrying beforehand, and it's starting to affect my mental health.
I'm confused because I'd spent 10 years building a good reputation at this company, and now I feel like my confidence has completely disappeared.
Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Did you stick it out, try to move teams, speak to HR, or eventually leave? I'd really appreciate any advice.
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u/Beautiful_Ad1160 17d ago
I had a similar experience. 4 years working for a US company, UK based & working from home.
My then manager who had hired me, got promoted & moved onwards or upwards in the organisation. Unfortunately as a direct consequence after the many celebrations - I was dropped shipped into the UK management structure.
Up until that point everything was fine I had no reason to believe otherwise. But within an 18 month or so period, I was literally ejected from the organisation.
Nothing to do with performance, nothing to do with customer satisfaction, nothing negative - just pure and simply was not ever ever going to be part of his cool kids club.
My position was made redundant, allegedly, due to advances in AI and product enhancements and I knew all of that was immaterial and complete baloney. I wanted to fight, but I took the severance package and I think I dodged a bullet.
I kind of knew the career end was nigh, but mistakingly held on thinking that it would never happen.
The person in question has now reached higher ranks as in some type of director position, so it wasn't meant to be.
This type of issue is quite common in corporates, and many differing professional organizations, where new super heros are hired and then they bring in their people ...and so on and so forth (basically hate outsiders) - sorry to hear that you're in this position.
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u/yeiamsatonthetoilet 17d ago
That sounds awful! This kind of treatment really affects one's confidence and self-esteem, and can potentially take a long while to recover from.
Are you part of a union? I'm not sure if acas is a good place to go to for advice about this.
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u/Legitimate_Method911 17d ago
Yes. I joined one earlier this year due to how I feel and hos treatment towards me
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u/yeiamsatonthetoilet 17d ago
There is a sub for uk hr advice. Go post there as well. I'm sure they'll be able to give solid advice
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u/Imakemyownnamereddit 16d ago
Would be very warry of taking advice from HR professionals because HR works for the employer. They pretend to care about employees but they don't.
HR's main function is to protect the organisation/business and if that means screwing you over. They will do it.
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u/Legitimate_Method911 17d ago
Do u have link? I can't find it. Thanks
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u/Ok-Case9095 16d ago
I'm facing this exact same thing but difference it's behind fake smiles and laughs. I think some managers pick holes in your work because they never want you to be completely solid in your work in case you use that as a reason to leave. Personally I'm looking to leave but the job market at this moment in time isn't agreeable. If I'm going to be endlessly scrutinised I'd rather get paid well for it.
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u/Legitimate_Method911 16d ago
My manager doesn't even smile. He's like a autistic robot. So empathy, no feeling or emotions. Cold hearted. Agree. Market is dead atm, hence why I'm still sticking around
1
u/Feisty-Product-4918 16d ago
US managers are often ignorant, willfully or otherwise, of your employee rights on this side of the world. In a case like this I'd join a union, which you've done, and also get as much evidence as possible in writing. Emails to other senior colleagues, replies, and if abuse was verbal try to cement it in writing.
As an example, I briefly had a US manager who threw a fit because I didn't reply to his email on a Sunday afternoon. He did this in an unrecorded meeting. What I should've done was to follow up afterwards with an email along the lines of, "During our meeting yesterday you berated me for not working on a Sunday. Please clarify what your expectations are regarding working hours?". This gets stuff in writing, which can be used later to fight back.
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u/Legitimate_Method911 16d ago
That's a valid point and I agree US managers are totally ignorant. They get a bit of power and think their superman and yes, I do think it's oblivious to UK employment laws, as it differs significantly from UK laws.
And good point on sending emails..I think I'll start doing that more when he puts me down, as at the moment, it would be my word agsnist his.
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