From your perspective, why would a manager do this?
I have a feeling that a direct manager has been talking negatively about me with other managers. I've only ever had a feeling...and the comments of colleagues who say they clearly don't like me (and clients who have very lightly touched on it after seeing interactions). Whenever it's just us, they act like we acted when we used to be friends, including them being emotionally vulnerable.
I don't really want to give a lot of background information, but I seem to get a lot of blame for any mistakes in the department even when it's out of my control or I don't know about it.
They sent a text on Friday to another manager but it went to me. They were lightly criticising my work, but it was so casual, it was like this kind of text is sent all the time. I pointed out the error. They freak out, delete the texts, apologise profusely across a series of text messages, then a emotional letter that they put in my locker outpouring guilt and referencing our friendship. They advised I could speak to upper management about this.
A lot of feelings about this, but mostly just confusion. Help me out:
- this is a normal reaction to an incorrect text
- this is an overreaction to an incorrect text, but nothing to worry about
- this is an overreaction to an incorrect text, but a symptom of a bigger issue
- this person likely talks badly about you and has been caught out
I'd appreciate your thoughts
Edited to add: Definitely human. I haven't used AI for this. I've stripped identifying details from it, and I created a new Reddit account for this so that it is not linked to my real account.
Another edit: I never knew this would attract so many downvotes and I don't know why it is. If you're downvoting because I'm overreacting, please tell me. I'm open to any ideas.