How do you handle direct reports who always play victim and claim that I’m not empathetic when I provide constructive criticism? They say they’re overwhelmed so I suggest for them to provide me a list of their todo’s so we can prioritize or reshuffle their work to others then they say I’m not listening and didn’t ask for their work to be reassigned. I tell them to book 1:1s so we can discuss any topics they’d like whether it’s personal or business then they claim that I don’t try to establish relationships with them. Anytime I ask them to do something that they don’t agree with, they go directly to my boss (their previous boss) to complain.
Dealing with crappy direct reports is the worst and makes me seriously consider quitting.
Background: direct report is 20+ years older. I got promoted into the role they wanted. we’re also 100% remote.