This archive report was first published on 8 November 2019.
When a line manager's boss overrides an immediate supervisor's instructions, it can lead to conflict and undermine morale. This was the case for one employee who recently found themselves in this situation.
Published on November 8, 2019, the employee's story highlights the importance of clear communication and defined structures in the workplace.
According to the employee, the reason for the conflict was that their immediate supervisor felt undermined by the line manager's boss. This led to a bitter argument between the two.
So, what should one do when faced with conflicting instructions from superiors? The key is to communicate openly and honestly with all parties involved.
One option is to remind your superior that it would be best to assign work with the input of your line manager. Be honest and say that while you have no problem taking the assignment, you are keen to avoid conflict between them.
Another option is to ask your superior to be ready to step in and mitigate any repercussions that may arise from the broken chain of command. If they still proceed to assign you, let them know that you will have to declare the assignment to your immediate boss to keep your relationship healthy.
