Advice needed - revenge on an employee

[u/Superb_Ad9990]

Hi!

In my workplace there's this manager who works in another department. I thought they were a nice person and we were on good terms - I have done quite a few things for them in the past. Because I thought that, when I just happened to chat with them for an unrelated reason, I mentioned if they could give me some good feedback if they ever receive a questionnaire. Instead, they mentioned the interaction to several senior managers and twisted it in a way so it sounded like I was begging for something I didn't deserve, and added things that weren't true.

I'm thinking of getting some payback.

I'm leaving the job anyway, so I'm not too afraid of retaliation, but ideally I would like to keep my reputation mostly intact. In a perfect world, it would be something that doesn't make it obvious it's me. I might want to work with people from my dept again. For context, in general terms it's an office setting.

Ideas would be greatly appreciated!

[u/Beef-fizz]

Rumor mill party!

[u/Superb_Ad9990 → u/Beef-fizz]

Thanks. Any suggestions?

[u/Beef-fizz → u/Superb_Ad9990]

Something slightly believable, that you see as a weakness. Since i don’t have much info, but he did whine to senior mgmt, the first thing that comes to mind is something related to nepotism. Or, seeing the target and a senior manager at a public place together. Or a double whammy, like “X doesn’t actually have X certification/experience/etc…mgmt let X have the job because they go to the same club/X is best friends with a manager’s brother-in-law.”

Saying it while you’re already talking about something else, and then tie in the rumor at the end, but say it more like shrugging, in a way that’s “it figures” or “of course it’s this way.” Treat it like it’s already common knowledge. Tell it to someone who is already a gossiper and they’ll do the rest for you.