Hello MMM followers!
A new member here and I need opinions on a work situation.
Background: I am a manager in IT field, managing a staff of 15 (3 teams of 5 members each). I joined this company about 2 months ago and started assisting in a major project that has been underway since mid year 2015. I, along with another manager, handle all management for this project.
All the folks who report to me used to report to the other manager till I came on board. This is when the reorg was done by the upper management to equally divide the workforce between me and the other manager.
Here is the issue: There is a Scrum Master (IT term people! Think of it as an iteration manager) who reports to me who has nothing been a source of trouble since day 1. Lets call him X. I met with the staff, introduced myself and started working with them gradually to gain their trust. From day 1 X has this "I don't even want to acknowledge you exist" attitude towards me. He continues to go to the other manager for all issues, signatures, concerns, even HR related things which the other manager cannot do anything about. I do understand that B (the other manager) is in a better position to assist with issues since he has been here longer. I have repeatedly asked X to "include" me in the discussions so I am aware of the issues and so I have an opportunity to learn. No progress!
I had a frank 1:1 with him one day asking what the issue is. SILENCE. The very same day X had an HR related request for which he went directly to B and my BOSS(!!) behind my back. My boss noticed this (without me saying anything) and he decided to speak to X about it. Fast forward, X's HR request was denied and my boss spoke to him about issues he has with me (met with no answer from X) and reiterated that X must follow protocol and include me in discussions since I am his manager now.
Few weeks later now....the pattern continues. He ignores me completely, does not include me in any conversations, still goes directly to B, and I have a secret suspicion he also undermines me to the rest of the team, B then forwards me his requests and lets me know. B has had a talk with X that it has to stop but still nothing.
The MAIN issue here is that X delivers. He is a good worker and he is delivering whats requested of him. And this project is the red dot priority project for us. So he is needed here, he gets by with disrespectful behavior towards me because B is loathe to let him go. And I am unable to help him with issues as much as B can because I am still learning the ropes myself.
X is very passive aggressive and there is not much I have been able to document against him. I have tried my hardest to work together with him, I set up weekly meetings t touch base, he threw a fit at that, came and sat down and didn't participate much. I've tried being friendly, I've tried being strict, I've tried to be only professional but he gets by with his behavior. I also suspect me being a female is an issue for him (no proofs though), since he complains profusely about his previous female manager.
So at this point of time I am taking the high road and ignoring his behavior. Its getting embarrassing to be ignored though. I don't want to be a complainy pants about it to my boss.
So suggestions please? Anyone been in a situation where their main employee is purposefully and publicly disrespecting them, while doing a good job and producing results?