Sarah asks :
Hi Lucy,
My boss has told other people I work with to watch over the work I do as it isn't very good. My colleague says I'm doing fine and can't understand why she has said this. I feel upset and annoyed that my boss is telling other people about my performance but not me. What should I do?
Hi Sarah,
Agony Aunts on Female First
If your boss has told a few people to do this then by addressing it with them, you may not have to name names as to who told you this information. You can tell them what you know without incriminating anyone specific.
Perhaps you could arrange a meeting with them and discuss what you have heard and ask what they feel you need to do to improve. You could also ask that they no longer discuss your performance with other people and only you at the same time.
Or you don't have to mention about what you've been told. You could arrange a meeting with them anyway and ask for some constructive feedback if you feel it's due. If you believe that feedback is important to your progress, then you should feel comfortable enough to ask.
Perhaps in a one to one situation you might find that they can offer you some good advice to improve. You could ask for a more regular performance review if that's what it takes to make you feel better about the quality of your work.
It may be that your colleague doesn't want to get involved, or genuinely thinks you are doing well at the job.
It seems that effective communication is lacking between you and your boss- you may have to be the one to open up the lines of communication to make your working relationship with your superior more honest in future. They may lack the skills to do so if they are asking others to monitor you instead.
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