Dear Lee – Pecking Order

I've been on my unit for just over a year. I get along well with my coworkers and enjoy working here. However, someone who used to work on this unit was just rehired. She was a long-time employee, and worked with a lot of people who are still on the unit, including our supervisor. I get the feeling that I've been pushed down the pecking order. I was even asked to take on extra duties and report to her. It doesn't seem fair. Am I wrong to be upset?

Sincerely,

Usurped?

It sounds like you feel that you had gained a certain amount of status on the unit, and now that this person has returned, you feel that your status has been reduced. If this is only about perceived status, there's nothing you can do about the new situation. (Just like when we were kids, "King of the Castle" was a difficult title to hold. There was always another kid ready to knock us off the top of the sand pile.) Or if the person was in fact hired at a level above you, you're likewise stuck.

But if the rehired person was hired at the same level as you, and you're having to take on unfair amounts of extra duties and regularly having to report to her, then you have to go speak with your supervisor.