Feeling Harassed by My New Manager: How Can I Address This Unfair Treatment?

Dear Friend,

I have been working with a top insurance company in India for the last 3 years. I started my career in this company at an entry-level position, and within the first 3 years, I have achieved two promotions. I am considered a top performer in the company and have received numerous awards and certificates. However, in the last 2 months, I have been facing challenges with my new reporting manager and seniors.

When my reporting manager changed, I was informed by a colleague in the company who shared the contact details of my new reporting manager. Unfortunately, my new manager has been speaking to me rudely, using unprofessional language consistently. I am unsure of what mistakes I have made to receive this treatment, and the situation has left me feeling very tense. Currently, I do not have anyone among my reporting managers to whom I can address my concerns. Additionally, I have received three notices based on false accusations, for which I am not responsible. Just last week, I received a warning letter, adding to my confusion and distress.

I am completely perplexed by this harassment, and it is affecting my future and career prospects. I find it hard to comprehend why an employee who works diligently and devotedly for their company would face such unwarranted consequences.

I urgently seek your suggestions on how to address this situation.

Thanks & Regards

Hi Sumiteram,

It is necessary to know the reason why he is doing this to you. Secondly, why for the last two months have you been tolerating him for his wrongdoing? He doesn't seem to be the ultimate authority, no matter how senior his position may be. My sincere advice to you is to strictly follow the fundamentals, i.e., put everything in writing, no matter how minor, and confront any issue head-on, ensuring it reaches a logical conclusion. He might have exploited your weakness (perhaps through dirty politics); reciprocate by exposing his actions. Lastly, escalate the matter regularly to make him realize that, ultimately, due to his shortsightedness, he is the one at a loss. If this approach does not suit you, consider changing teams or organizations, without jeopardizing your future any further.

(On a personal note, please seek urgent advice from Asha Mathew, whom I consider to be a walking encyclopedia on HR.)

Please let me know if you have any further questions or need more assistance.

Hi Sumit,

If you have received 3 notices and a warning, that does not mean you will have to keep quiet and accept it. You should have inquired about the reason for the same and requested any facts or documents that confirm the mistake on your end.

Don't worry about the reporting manager behaving like that towards you. You can't change that attitude of his towards you immediately - but you can change your current plight by:

a) taking necessary steps in finding WHY those notices were issued to you - for which you will have to inquire with the HR dept

b) Ask them for proofs supporting the same - if they say that the Reporting Manager had given them the information, and it was on that basis they took action on you, please inquire what their individual first investigation details are.

c) Be sure - you don't become aggressive. Because, rather than looking at the real problem, they will start looking at the aggressive nature and try pulling you down.

d) Also - please don't be emotional, because that can let the Reporting Manager take advantage of you (I know it's difficult not to react to - but the trick is - show no reaction on your face...)

e) And most importantly - if they have issued notice to you, have you responded to them by either email or letter (any signature of acknowledgment from your end?) . Such notices will require your acknowledgment of accepting the notice - and accepting the fact that you made a mistake. If they have not done this...then I guess it's not late, you can still fight back.

If you worry and ask - is this the way they reward, is this the way they treat a hard-working / smart-working person...then take my words - you will be soon in a bad condition. You know the Corporate World, right? People just need a reason to pull someone down and enjoy the benefits of someone losing.

ACT!!! It's HIGH TIME!

When you received the letter, what steps did you take? Did you respond to it with your side of the story? If not, why did you not report the matter to your HR when you were being harassed? It is advisable to start looking out for better opportunities in the outside world rather than staying in such a place. The insurance sector is one of the worst sectors to work in currently. However, it may certainly improve in the times to come when they face a manpower crunch and struggle to find people willing to join them.

Dear Sumit,

I agree to the above-mentioned and suggested steps. In addition to that, please inform your top officials (by attaching your emails or meeting them personally) because middle management may hinder your process (it might involve some kind of politics, considering you have received 2 promotions, which is quite fast). Also, be aware that HR personnel are less influential before the top officials (Directors/Regional Directors/GM/CEO) in sales-driven organizations.

Even if it doesn't work out and things worsen, kindly visit the Labor Commissioner's office near your company with an application seeking help for justice.

My personal opinion:

I feel companies in the insurance sector "rarely" provide training on soft skills to their employees. They seem only concerned with "How much business will be logged in today." If there is a felt need, they invite a speaker (motivator) to a seminar hall/auditorium, etc., to address most of their sales employees. Following that, it's the same story: "Go get more business" with the comment, "Didn't you listen to Mr./Ms. ________ (referring to the motivator)? Apply that in your life and do something innovative for more business."