An e-mail...

[Madd_Scientist_]

A colleague which I happen to supervise was asked by another team-leader to write a long and complicated deviation a couple of weeks ago and it was sent on to our Quality Department. Today I was copied in on an e-mail ,along with our section-head and Head of Quality, sent from one of the Quality people pointing out several major mistakes made, (the e-mail was addressed to the colleague, and the mistakes made are big enough to get fired). The e-mail was offensive and threatening, when i read it i was very upset and angry as i knew that the mistakes were not made by my colleague but by the other team-leader.

My colleague was very upset, and as I am the supervisor I had to do something about it. My colleague is expecting a formal apology from the Quality person (in form of an e-mail) where all of us (me, the section-head etc) are copied in. I sincerely doubt this is going to happen, but the thing is that my colleague is threatening to hand in their notice to me as early as tomorrow if this does not happen. I can NOT loose my colleague!

What on earth am I to do?

[AbdiWahab252]

CYA

Since you were not involved in the initial proceedings, minimize it. Why would your fellow leader take one of your staff and assign work to them ? I would meet with him/her and state what is on your mind and make it clear that it is his/her problem. I would also debrief your supervisor ASAP

[Madd_Scientist_]

The other team-leader asked me if one of my colleagues was free and available to help them out. Of course i said yes, as from time to time I need help as well.

It is not their problem, how can it be? Each team is assigned a team-leader, it is the team-leaders responsibility to take care of their fellow colleagues. In this case it happens to be me.

The problem is between quality and this person in question, it was wrong of quality to send out an e-mail, copying in me and everyone else when this could've been resolved by a simple phone-call to me. I believe that quality sent the e-mail to prove a point to me as well as the management that this person is not qualified enough to be carrying out this sort of work. This is utter bs, as i appreciate my colleague very much so much so that i awarded this person the highest bonus within our team!

[AbdiWahab252]

Oh, u never mentioned that you loaned that person out to your fellow supervisor.

So did your colleague fail to supervise/direct your worker ? Then place the blame on him/her. After all, if your worker has been good and consistent over the long term and you have proof to that effect to present if asked, you should be fine. If these mistakes are nothing new, then your fellow supervisor can turn the situation to reflect how well/badly you supervise or train your workers but I doubt he/she will do this after all supervisors need to review all work that their reports send out.

Either way, make sure you speak to your supervisor and meet with the Quality Control. Does QC do this often ? Or is it rare ? Either way, make sure the buck stops with your supervisor for failing to review your report's work

[Madd_Scientist_]

I am honestly not worried about my fellow team-leader afterall they're very good at what they do otherwise the team-leader job would not be given to them in the first place. They can take care of themselves.

What I am, however, worried about is the fact that my colleague wants an official apology from Quality and that this might never happen and in turn would result in me losing a a very good colleague! How would I bypass this?

Quality has got all the power, every document, report, deviation, protocol etc has got to go passed them before anything is issued/approved, it is their responsibility to review everything. Their word is basically what counts. So I am against Quality (which to be honest is a bit intimidating) as they've portrayed my colleague in a very bad way.

[AbdiWahab252]

Mad,

In life there are battles you can not win. This is one. If your colleague wants to go into a fight that he/she can not win, talk her/him out. If she/he insists, then let them learn a life lesson. If she/he quits, well, find another person. After all being a supervisor is not a popularity contest nor a place to become friends with your reports.

Either way, get yourself out of it. It is going to get ugly.

[Madd_Scientist_]

You're right AbdiWahab, being a supervisor is not a popularity contest and that this person is easily replaced, but I can not just stand by and watch someone being treated like this. I feel that it is my responsibility to do something, as I am their supervisor. It might all backfire on me, but hopefully it won't, I know I am very competent when it comes to what I do.

[AbdiWahab252]

Madd,

There are times to fight/push back such as when you feel there has been unwarranted or wrong doing happening. But if the criticisms are well with in the bounds of appropiate behavior, don't do it.

One thing you will learn is that humans are ungrateful creatures. You stick out your neck for them and they then will proceed to screw you over. Say you do stand up for this person, is it worth it to get on the bad side of QC over this person ? Do you want extra scrutiny ? Will this person stay if you did go to stand up for them or will he/she leave and thus you are left empty handed.

Never get emotional when it comes to decision making at work. Emotions will get you into trouble.

[Madd_Scientist_]

I have set up a meeting this afternoon, and I have also made Dua, hopefully all will be well.

[Gifted]

Goodluck Maddy

[Madd_Scientist_]

Thanks Gifted, I'm sort of nervous, but Inshallah all will be well.