To be ashamed, embarrased and want to defend myself at work?

[AuntieMeemz]

I took on a new part time job. Two people had left in less than a year before me. The job description was vague, the files on the computer are a terrible mess and very confusing. The boss keeps most of the information I need, and has only spent a few minutes showing me the way of things, I persist in trying to catch her, but even then we are constantly interrupted. Head Office said to always call them (I try to keep this to the very minimum, once or twice a week, the woman I speak to is very rude and short tempered), now they say I call too much. The phone rings non stop and I have to jump up every few minutes to answer the door.
HR have been to see me, saying they have issues with my performance..I'm far too slow, confused (I'll say), I'm disorganised (that totally is NOT me), and failing to follow instructions (Never seen any!) and not responding to their emails ( this isn't true). I have told Head Office my concerns but they say as administrator, they expect me to manage this.
When I'm not in, the manager goes onto the computer and does things, and I have no idea, so Head Office say I'm confused about bookings etc. HR have now given me some targets and all I want to say is ''Why on earth didn't you give me these when I started???''
I feel a bit like they have blamed the whole lot on me. Head Office have no idea the mess the computer files are in, and how much of my own time I've spent trying to sort them out.

[Spandexpants007]

Tell them!

[OurBlanche]

Read back what you posted. Add some detail, polish it up a bit and send it to HR.

Ask for the files you work on to have a track change put on them. So if your boss changes/moves stuff it will be on her log in, not yours - or password lock them yourself.

Oh, and take the hint... look for a new job! Even if you get someone on side that sounds like a hiding to nothing!

Good luck

[jclm]

I would keep asking HR for more training or guidance. Who is your line manager? X

[CornishDoll82]

Get a new job, they're looking for a scapegoat

[ChopOrNot]

Make sure you document/follow up with an email each time you ask for training/clarified procedures - whether to your boss or HR. Then if they try to "blame" you you have a paper trail to demonstrate you are trying to perform well but they are not helping you achieve what the job entails.

[Wauden]

You could find out which union is appropriate and join them ASAP. Its quick to do this on line. And meanwhile look for another job before the office erodes you confidence. Good luck.

[lorelei9here]

You just started this job so to be honest you don't have any employment rights

What happens next depends on how much you need the job. But either tactfully or bluntly, you have to explain the chaos. It will certain,y be why the others left.

Is the manager one of those who delights in causing chaos, or genuinely incompetent?

[Itinerary]

Definitely start looking for a new job. I do think you should tell them that the files are really disorganised, but by the sound of it they will just add "sorting the files out" to your list of tasks

Also if they are always making wrong accusations about you not answering messages, failing to follow instructions etc. keep a record of what was said and when, just in case you need them.

[DecaffCoffeeAndRollupsPlease]

I've covered admin in an office that sounds similar - complete mess of files, various people making changes that affect your work but you get no notification of the changes, and lots of "I'll be able to sit and talk through your issues sometime... soon" and "can you just copy/collate/random event organisation for a meeting in ten mins where everyone needs id badges, but you have no idea how id badges are even done in the company.

I couldn't work admin as a permanent job, no way. Oh god, then there was the agm noone remember till nearly on top of us, so "can you just knock up an annual report, make a video, presentation, organise invites, seating, catering, and it's on your day off but can you come in to make sure the dignitaries and other stakeholders are well looked after" before I had even learnt the names of the staff I my building. I had sweaty palms shaking hands with the local politicians that day, praying I could make a random projector work etc etc etc.

No, the thought of another admin role gives me the sweats just thinking about it. I'd previously thought it was sending a few emails and printing and photocopying the odd thing here and there. Had had an easy admin job like that before, but... they're certainty not all so straightforward.

[AuntieMeemz]

Deca-it all seems so familiar, especially the bit 'I'll be able to sit with you and go through some questions' only that day never comes. Even if I get the manager for 2 minutes, she is jumping from one thing to the next, and we are constantly interrupted by everyone else with their vitally urgent issues! Within minutes she is off. Last week, I missed a cut off deadline, as Manager hadn't given me the information I needed (which was impossible to work out) then I had to go into a class, and asked her to let HR know why the deadline wasn't met. 3 hours later, when I was free to go back to my job, I called HR Manager to check she'd been informed and she said she hadn't. I think HO see my role as the manager role, the actual manager is supposed to manage the childcare., but won't let me my role..

[AuntieMeemz]

lorele- not sure about the Manager, she says she has no idea, doesn't know what she is doing, but she appears to know quite well. She and the other staff seem to think that absolutely everything in the nursery takes precedence of whatever I have to do, and my time. My workspace (despite repeated efforts to stop it) is a tiny space, worse than Steptoes yard!

[Muskey]

Please look for another job. I worked in a similar environment and after six weeks of doing my absolute best I was "let go" . I was mortified as I had never been sacked before despite it being a crappy job. If other people have left in quick succession that should tell you what sort of place it is. Since working at that job I always ask what happened to the previous employee. I know it doesn't help now but it will help in the future

[Gryla]

I'll be able to sit with you and go through some questions' only that day never comes.

Have you tried sending that request as an e-mail?
I need you to sit down at some point this week to go through x.

Then every day - send e-mail saying I still need to go through x and keep the e-mails as a paper trail and a give reminders.

I had a team leader like this - two seats away from me but I e-mailed him rather than turn round and talk - obviously so I didn't interrupt him or sent e-mails when he wasn't around.

Would help when you haven't been given the information needed. Send e-mail reminders, to person supposed to give you the information saying you need the information and times you reminded them of this and keep previous e-mails you sent on bottom of the e-mail. E-mail means they can respond when they are less busy and have a nice written reminder that it needs doing so it doesn't fly out their heads.

Then if z isn't compete at certain date forward the e-mail to everyone it affects including HR - saying this will be late because I wasn't given x. Then they can see below your e-mail the number of times you asked for x.

Maybe you need to practise being assertive with the rest of the staff - polite but firm. I can't do that now because I'm doing this - write a note, wait send an e-mail. Or fine you say your busy with y but when will you do x with me - try and pin them down to a date and time if they won't suggest a few or even send an e-mail saying we have to do x so I'll assume this is happened at such a date and time unless you say otherwise.