Situation · Work
“My direct report keeps going over my head to my boss”
What could be going on
Triangulation: Fits if they bring a third person into tension with you.
Role conflict and ambiguity: Fits if reporting lines aren't clear.
Status motive: Fits if they want visibility with senior people.
Gossips and triangulates: Fits if they gossip and pass tension through others.
Psychological safety: Check whether they feel safe raising issues with you directly.
Organisational justice: Fits if they feel they wouldn't get a fair hearing from you.
Questions to carry
- What did my report want the last time it happened, that they thought I would not give?
- When I find out they went around me, what do I feel first?
Also said as
- my employee goes straight to my manager
- she bypasses me and complains upstairs
- my team member undermines me with my boss
- staff member skipping the chain of command
- my report bypasses me to talk to my manager
- my employee complains about me to my boss