It's me again. Another few weeks. Another update. Just so people know, I don't really care if director reads this. Sure they could suspect who they are and who I am but at this point, it's a wash and there's no way to use an anon reddit post as evidence. One of us is going to move eventually, only a matter of time to see who blinks first.
Last week near end of week, director asked all managers to be in office Mondays and Fridays and to tell our staff the same, because he thinks that people slack off most on those days. This Monday was a glorious shitshow. Some key managers and staff called in and said them/their kids were sick, and all purposely chose not offer to WFH since in-office work was required Monday. I wouldn't be surprised if the managers told the staff to do exactly that.
Nothing moved up that day, and the director and DG had to go to an important meeting without anyone to back them up. The DG went around and asked me what was happening, and I matter of factly said "new Director said we must work Monday in-office, seems like a lot of people got sick so they couldn't work". He sighed and left.
Maverick analyst is impressing me. He's so far called in sick for 2 days this week and then decided to take a random vacation today. I don't care enough to ask him for a doctor's note. As far as I am concerned, I'm assuming maverick is taking legitimate mental health sick leave until director says something then I'll figure it out. DG also asked about that, since maverick being absent means no expert advisor who he often talks to directly. I just said vague "maverick is unwell and has been for the last month or so" (which also happens to be right when new director started). Another sigh without comment.
I suspect DG is catching on something is going on. I wish I could just tell him outright since he's a pretty good guy. But sometimes I think higher-ups need to see the shitshow unfold to know it's a problem.
EDIT: On the stuff that should have been moved up, most of it was done already and just waiting manager approvals. We had a briefing note ready for that important meeting already mostly banged up, but too bad the lead manager of that file was away that day and couldn't approve! Funniest part was the me, another manager who was around Monday, and a couple analysts also worked on it and none of us offered it up since the lead manager had to theoretically be the one to approve the note for sending up. We all knew we could have, but I guess all of us had the same idea. I do feel bad for the DG though.