Lately, what my manager says has been stressing me out. In every meeting, there are some snide remarks and criticisms... I don't know if I'm making a clear mistake, but the way they imply things is very unsettling. What would happen if I went to HR? Or should I talk directly to them? I really need some advice.
I think this situation is not as superficial as you believe; those jabs might have another subtext. Either they are not satisfied with your performance or they are trying to wear you down. It’s like a manager who can’t speak openly. In this case, I think you should directly sit down and ask, 'Is there a problem?'.
I'm writing as someone who has been subjected to such backhanded tactics during my time working in a team. Honestly, if you speak directly, the person in front of you will get it together. At worst, they'll say 'you misunderstood,' but at least you can figure out their intentions. Otherwise, you'll just drown in constant insinuations.
Now you say, 'always sarcastic in every meeting', maybe they are genuinely criticizing you for a valid reason? For example, are you subconsciously not doing certain things? Instead of running to HR right away, I think you should reflect on yourself and consider, 'what can I improve?' This is important before facing the issue.
From an HR perspective, instead of going straight to a complaint, you should first try to discuss your issue openly with your manager. If you say things like, 'these statements of yours upset me,' with concrete examples, you will be in a stronger position during the HR process. This is because formal complaints usually involve a preliminary interview.
I want to say something, I really don't think there's a problem with my performance. I always do my job on time and deliver, the reports are in good shape. But I sense that there's something like trying to make me look bad in front of my teammates. There's this kind of energy.
These are just classic "power displays," you know, where the manager sometimes does this to feel superior. But don't play dumb yourself. In front of everyone, you can pull back those flashy comments with questions like "I didn't understand what you meant." Try it a couple of times; it has a big impact.
I hear all kinds of stories around me when the managers are strict; people immediately go to HR. There used to be some patience back in the day. But of course, you call it 'sarcastic remarks,' that line is a bit much. Still, I'm not saying they immediately complain or anything like that. In our culture, things don't work that way.
