I was promoted to a temporarily middle management position this new year in my company I have been around for 7 years. The previous manager left his position to move to another country with his family. The company threw in a nice salary bump for the temporary position, and they said they were excited because I am well-respected member of the company (which I am). I have been largely a rank-and-file and this will be my first ever experience managing employees (all of whom belong to our company union, FWIW) I have four employees under my direct supervision, all of whom I have known for years.
One of my reporting employees have been on medical leave since summer due to a disease (cancer I think it was). He is returning back to work next Monday. As his new supervisor, I announced his return to the department. It was as if a bomb went off. I knew well this guy has been an office bully; last year, I privately counseled a close colleague who said he has been verbally abusing her during phone calls. I quickly learned there were multiple colleagues who were subject to these kinds of abuse, which I did not know. I also confirmed a longstanding rumor that he threatened my superior (so his boss’s boss) with a lawsuit for alleged racial discrimination for rejecting his promotion. I confirmed the union, my superior and management were readying themselves for the lawsuit when the medical leave postponed such tensions. The union knows of his reputation, but they said no employee filed credible grievances against him and their duty is to protect him and his job until something solid was presented.
My close colleague came into my office crying, panicking about his return. My superior privately confided in me that she may be unable to keep her cool if she is needed for mediation between him and another colleague, as she felt deeply offended of allegations made against her. I had no idea things were this toxic surrounding him. I feel like I am left to fend for myself.
I told everyone — my close colleague, my superior, my other employees — that I understand the concerns and that I recommend them documenting any instances should it happen. But I also stressed to them as his new boss, I am obligated to give him a full fair shake that he will be a productive, cooperative member of the team when he returns. All this drama has made me extremely stressed now too, as I feel I’ve been thrown into a lion’s den. Any advice from experienced managers would be really appreciated.