How would you manage in a job like this?

[AuntieMeemz]

At 55, I just got a new job, which I really need to keep. However Head Office complain that I'm not working fast enough. The job is part time and I'm doing a fair bit of work at home, because I can't get it done at work.
I'm a very organised person, but dyspraxic. I've had plenty of jobs before, but left a difficult job for this one, which I thought might be better.

1. the phone rings non stop all day, each call has to be logged, all details on a database, or for other staff who I have to track down and relay messages to (I told HO this but they said 'that's the job')
2. Manager says don't worry about Head Office requirements, we don't do things by the book) now Head Office say I'm not doing my job. ( I told Head Office this, but they said I should be able to work out what to do). Head Office say use the manual ,but it's way out of date, I told them this and they said 'we know'.
3. Manager thought I could just do the job, so didn't help me settle in properly. When I try to get her help, if I ever find her, she rarely has more than 2 seconds to help me, before being called away, or interrupted.

4.Paperwork piles up around me, I never get the time to process it, yet it's vital it all gets quickly logged, scanned, downloaded and filed.

[Therealyellowwiggle]

Firstly, do your employers know about the dyspraxia? Can you link it to some of the things you're finding difficult? (Other than your boss being an arse and no one training you properly)

[Dutchess61]

Is it really worth it OP. I'd not want to work there one bit.

[AuntieMeemz]

Ther- well when HR manager came to tell me how badly I was doing, I mentioned it (near the end of the discussion) and she knew nothing about it!
The main issue with dyspraxia is that I don't get or do things quickly., and go blank when someone looks over my shoulder.
Dutch- no I really don't think it's worth it, but I'm working on an alternative.

[Therealyellowwiggle]

You should get it on record. Then they should look at reasonable adjustments to your work in order to account for your disability.
(You might not view it as a disability yourself but in a work context I'm sure it meets the criteria). You want unhurried explanations of what to do in different situations and the chance to ask questions. If the manager has his own way of doing things, anyone would struggle in this role, but once they've got into the way of it it would probably be easier. You just need a bit more support to get into the wat of it. And you're entitled to it.

[BeALert]

This sounds impossible for anyone, let alone someone with dyspraxia. Schedule a meeting with both HR and your line manager to clearly define how you should be doing your job, and make sure you say at the beginning of the meeting that you expect to be given clear job expectations in writing.

[AuntieMeemz]

Thereal - forgot to say I described it fully on my medical questionnaire, and was very honest.
Bealert, - why didn't I think of that?
Should I say (in a professional way) the job was in a dam mess when I took over, and I wasn't given any time to sort it out. I have no idea what the manager is responsible for, and what I'm responsible for. I can't get the information I need from her, and she keeps interfering?
I have to take the blame for the fact that the little time I did have, I spent on the wrong thing, like trying to sort out a customer list that was 3 years old. I am slow, and am constantly finding myself at a stage in a process that I don't know what to do, too scared to ask Head Office and unable to get help from the manager. My confidence is completely blown and I'm too scared to go back there.

[RatherBeRiding]

None of this is your fault. The place sounds like a nightmare.

At the least you should have a full induction, with working procedures, practices and policies clearly explained. I second asking for a meeting with HR and your line manager and explaining that you've not had your job role explained to you and are therefore, understandably, struggling.

At that same meeting find out where you stand on the dyspraxia.

You say the HR manager has said you are doing "badly". That's a very subjective way of giving you feedback. Tell them you need to know, objectively and in clear detail, where you need to improve, how you need to improve, and what the employer is going to do to help you improve (induction, training, supervision).

If no-one takes notes at this meeting, take your own. Then email these notes to both HR and your line manager and ask if they agree it is an accurate account of the meeting and the concerns you have raised.

Meanwhile, keep looking for another job!

[AuntieMeemz]

Rather- thank you for saying it's not my fault! you have restored my self faith a bit!
After our meeting, the HR manager gave me a list of my failings, and an improvement plan. I really want to let them know that the place was in a terrible mess when I started, (2 people left the job in less than a year), but not sure how to do so without totally dropping my manager in it. The list notes that I'm disorganised (that isn't me), unable to follow instructions (to which I want to say 'what instructions', and confused about the computer (I'll say). However, I will definitely take your thoughts on board, and have started looking for another job.

[Mistigri]

Look for another job, and in the meantime (a) read up about disability discrimination eg on the ACAS website and (b) join a union.