I shared my thoughts in an “anonymous” employee survey
I’ve been part of the middle management team at my company for two years.
There’s a veteran manager who has been with the company for over 20 years, and unfortunately, her behavior creates a toxic atmosphere for everyone. Many of us hesitate to come into the office for fear that she’ll gossip about our “silly” questions. She has a habit of CCing your boss on any mistakes, making sure they witness her lecturing you. Additionally, she’s always on the lookout for any new hires she can gossip about with her small group of long-tenured colleagues.
Fast forward to today: our CFO launched an anonymous survey to gather feedback on how to improve the company. I decided to be candid and expressed my concerns about her behavior, suggesting that they consider reassigning her or relocating her workspace. I used ChatGPT to ensure my feedback sounded professional before hitting send.
Now, hours later, I’m feeling some regret about my submission because it’s likely that my identity will be inferred. Wish me luck!
One response
It sounds like you’re in a really tough situation, and it’s understandable to feel regret after expressing frustrations about a colleague, especially in a workplace environment. It’s important to advocate for a positive work atmosphere, but it sounds like you might be worried about potential backlash.
A few things to consider moving forward:
Stay Professional: Regardless of how this situation unfolds, continue to maintain a professional demeanor in the workplace. Focus on your responsibilities and stay positive.
Prepare for Possible Outcomes: Think about how you’ll respond if your concerns come up in conversation. Be ready to address the issues you raised while focusing on the larger picture of improving the workplace for everyone.
Build Support: If others share your sentiments about this situation, consider finding a way to voice those concerns collectively in the future. It might provide a stronger case without putting the spotlight on any one individual.
Reflect on Next Steps: Take this experience as a learning opportunity. Moving forward, think about how you can approach similar situations in ways that feel more comfortable for you.
Check for Approaches: If you feel comfortable, you could consider discussing your concerns openly with HR, especially if this abuse of power continues.
Remember, your well-being and work satisfaction are important. Good luck!