How to Play and Win 

I have been with my company for a little over a year and I love my job. My boss, however, is a different story. He has been with the company for over 15 years and has been pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes. I have caught him in several lies, stealing and harassing. He has generally just been exhibiting unethical behavior for a very long time. I went through my chain of command and requested to be pulled out from under his supervision because I just could not take it any longer. My request was granted. I now report to his boss.

Now he is talking about me to everyone. He has been going to other managers/co-workers and making very nasty and just untrue statements about me in a professional capacity. It is just gossip, pure and simple.

I realize that I am a good employee and I have "shown him up" since I have been here but I am just doing my job. So I realize that his ego is hurt, however, how do I handle him maliciously gossiping about me when I am being told by other managers that what they are telling me is in confidence?

First of all, congratulations on successfully navigating the chain of command so as to no longer report to an unethical manager.

Seeing the situation from your previous manager’s perspective for a moment, however, I could see how he would interpret your actions as antagonistic and threatening. He may have felt blindsided by your elevating the issue before giving him any direct feedback and allowing the opportunity for change. That being said, his retaliatory behavior is completely unprofessional and inappropriate. Here are a few suggestions on how to manage the situation.

First, maintain focus on your job and continue to be the excellent employee who "shows up" to work each day. The fact that others came to you to share the negative gossip confirms that others care for and respect you, and don’t completely trust your former manager.

Find a way to calmly demonstrate and/or communicate that the gossip is untrue. Getting overly emotional and worked up about the situation will only further your former manager’s goal of smearing your reputation.

Don’t stoop to this man’s level. While it’s tempting to want to talk about your former boss and his unethical behaviors with all those who will listen, you are too busy and good for that.

Open up a dialogue with your former boss. As unappealing as it may sound, a conversation between you and him may be necessary to clear the air. You don’t have to share what other colleagues or managers have told you he said about you. You merely have to ask if there’s anything he’d like to share with you directly and imply that you are generally aware he is talking behind your back.

Monitor the environment and fit on an ongoing basis. The fact that an unethical manager has been able to remain with the organization unchecked for such a long period of time should be construed as "data" about the culture and values of your current employer. I would encourage you to be attuned to organizational practices on a broader level so that you can monitor whether this employer is a long-term fit for your career.