For the last two months, my boss has been constantly making insinuating comments in front of the whole team. I feel like he's targeting me with things like 'Some people are too comfortable' and 'Not everyone's performance is the same.' But he doesn't directly mention my name. Should I speak up directly, or should I go to HR about this? How would you handle it?
What was the atmosphere like when the boss said 'some are relaxed'? I mean, was he looking directly at you or something? Sometimes in these situations, reading body language gives clearer clues.
Honestly, you might need to take a look at your performance here too. Maybe you're really drawing attention but you're not aware of it. For example, has anything gone wrong with your work in the last 2 months? Think about it honestly.
Such situations can reach the level of mobbing, but you need to substantiate it first. In other words, keep a record of the comments and write down the dates. If it is affecting you psychologically and physically, then it would make sense to consider approaching HR.
Let me add that these insinuating conversations usually happen in weekly meetings. I haven't heard anyone say such things one-on-one before. But I also haven't received any official warnings regarding performance issues.
Whenever you hear that phrase in meetings, it seriously chills you, right? Then you just can't get back to work. I experienced the same thing; when it happened, I directly interrupted and said, 'If it's about me, we can talk privately.' After doing that once or twice in the environment, they stopped.
