Workworkwork

[Stressalot42]

I know before anyone tells me, I'm having the P ripped out of me!

Work massively busy, lost staff members and working to an extreme deadline of second week in July.

So I've been working on average three and half hours extra a day. No one else qualified to do this part of the job. New person starting in two weeks but initially they will be more work than good, not their fault but new systems blah blah.

No matter how hard I work? It's did you do this today? Something's don't get dons, no hours to do them.

It makes me feel shit everytime they say it! But I can't physically do more!

Also, was supposed to get a pay rise, this was two months ago. Didn't get in April which I assumed was because my review was part way through the month. Didn't get it in May, no letter confirming it nothing. Raised it and it was "oh I thought I'd done that", well you haven't not have you written to me to confirm my new salary. It took this company months to set up their work place pension and now this.

I need a "one liner" to shoot back at them when they sigh that not all the 1000 requests they've made that day have been completed. Also that they keep failing at their side of the deal, pension and pay!!! X

[Creampastry]

Email them and stop doing the overtime which I assume is unpaid?

[topcat2014]

You need to raise a grievance - if you don't they will carry on as now.

Easier said than done though.

Presumably this is a large (public sector?) organisation?

[Polomintini]

You need to write and email to your manager outlining all the things you have to do and ask them to work with you to prioritise as you feel that things are bound to slip given the reduced workforce and you want to make sure you are focused on the same priorities - you will need to agree some things that can take longer until the current situation is resolved.
Also put in the email you are disappointed you have not received the pay increase you were promised - and want it backdated. Then put - when can we discuss these two issues. If you are reasonable and focus it on how you can do the best for the company in the circumstances you have the back up in case this ever goes against you or you need to escalate. Suspect your boss is under similar pressure to you and that is why they have forgotten to process your pay increase.
Hope this helps - sounds like you are working really hard so no reason you shouldn't get the recognition you deserve.

[Frankie89]

I could've written this myself. Under similar pressures at the moment and just about to reach breaking point. Sorry no advice but you do have my sympathy, it's crap.

[Damia]

If someone asks you to do something you have no time for I would just reply it is a shame your dept is understaffed and overloaded and could they complain to management. I would also not work overtime if not paid overtime and again refer to managers. They get paid more to schedule stuff like that and sort out work schedules and hire people.

[Mistigri]

General advice when employers are taking the piss: put everything in writing.

Its passive aggressive but it can also help to copy or BC emails to your boss if you are asked by people who are not your line manager to do the impossible.

Depending on how senior you are, and how long you have been there, warn your manager that the days of unpaid overtime are limited. I work for a good boss at an overall decent employer but am having some HR issues, and my boss has been warned that goodwill is not inexhaustible. Don't be played for a mug.

[Ceto]

Every time they ask whether you've done something, ask for your underpaid salary.

[neonrainbow]

The work not getting done is NOT your problem. You can only do what you can do in your contracted hours. They don't value you enough to sort out your bonus so why are you working so hard? They don't appreciate it. You need to look at your work/life balance!

[NeedMoreSleepOrSugar]

Been there, done that!

Set it out for them, once, in detail. Ie I'm covering two (or more?) posts at the moment, and not only am I not being paid for it, Im not even being paid my own full salary. Good will works both ways. Ask - when exactly is the post being filled (if the two week thing is a window rather than a set date), and when is your pay, including back pay, being sorted?

After that, keep responding - one person, two posts... have you sorted my pay yet?

[Deathraystare]

What a pisser. There are only so many hours in the day. I think you need to start looking around, especially if they don't get your salary sorted out quick. Think how great it will be to say when your neww job starts and the salary!!

[Itsallamysterytome]

I am in the same situation but it is inferred that I am slow but thorough, and that is why it ends up with me working all the extra hours.
So with that in mind I can't decide whether to carry on as I am because I can't ignore stuff, or do a shoddy job, or suck it up and keep trying to work as efficiently and quickly as I can with extra hours chucked in, but keep my pride in my job.

[CadnoDrwg]

A team in my company actually has a spreadsheet that details how long each assigned takes takes because they kept having senior management adding more work to their remit without the manpower.

They'd then send over the evidence and tell senior team to choose what work was priority with anything else happening if time magically appeared from somewhere. All extra tasks were shown in red with a cumulative total of how many hours it would take to complete, which the team would not do unpaid.

It didn't change how busy they were but it certainly stopped the ridiculous pressure they were under to do everything "now"

Maybe something similar could work for you.

[Itsallamysterytome]

I will give that a whirl Cadno. Worth a try

[Stressalot42]

Thanks for comments, I broached the subject on Thursday. Was agreed workload to high, unacceptable.

Promises of hours would be given to me on Friday, someone would help out.

It never happened, so I went in at end of the day and asked why not? No real response, empty promises.

I could only say I've made the situation clear and that's all I can do. It's down to you now to resolve it.

[Damia]

Well done. Next time though I would ask Friday morning who was going to be helping and what time. Or even earlier. Keep chasing for a name and time they will help. Sounds really though like they are agreeing to your face then ignoring you as soon as they can. Totally look for another job.