1. Speak with a trusted employee to see if the rumors are true, and if so, email your employees to explain that you will do your best to meet with them more regularly.
2. Make an effort to spend more time walking around the office and talking with your employees so that they feel that you appreciate and value them.
3. Meet with your employees as a group, and ask them what more you can do to help them.
4. Ask one of the more experienced and effective managers in your area to meet with you regularly to coach you on ways to be more effective in your new role.
5. Ignore the rumors because rumors are often not accurate, and continue to work hard to learn your new responsibilities and perform your job to the best of your abilities.