How to complain about my workload?

[Giraffe31]

How do I approach complaining about my workload? I’m only 24 and never had to speak to a manager about this before.

For a bit of background, I work as an administrator in a team of 5 incl manager. One of the team is leaving after her apprenticeship and the other is dropping from 4 to 3 days a week. That leaves 2 and a half admin staff as well as the manager who doesn’t take on any of the general admin work, I don’t know what she does if I’m honest.

Colleague 1, the only other full-timer is taking on most the apprentice’s workload as that was her original job before the apprentice started. Which means I’m having to learn all the new stuff that colleague 1 learned when the apprentice started so I can take this on. I’m also learning a big chunk of colleague 2 (the one who’s dropping from 4 to 3 days) as he can’t do 4/5 days’ work in 3 days (fair enough).

But the problem I’m having is that I’m having to learn all this new stuff and take it on permanently when the apprentice leaves and colleague 2 drops a day as well as my own full time workload that I already have. We won’t be getting a new apprentice either.

I can’t cope with this level of work; I’m already struggling and I’m just training so far. It really is a juggling act and I just feel that it isn’t a case of if I drop the ball it’s when. Do I wait to bring it up in my appraisal with my manager which are usually around the April/May time, although nothing has been mentioned so far about them or do I just ask to speak to my manager this week and get it sorted? I’m not a shirker and I do work hard so I don’t want to look like I’m unloading work onto colleagues just because I’m lazy, I’m not I just can’t cope

[HiMyNameIsUnknown]

Don't leave it until your appraisal as that's too late. Book in a 1:1 meeting & ask how your manager perceives the team changes affecting workload & efficiency. Discuss what's going well now i.e. What you feel competent with &. What you are less competent with including what you need (more practice/coaching etc).

Ensure you sound positive around multi-skilling & upcoming but state you are concerned about completing everything to a high standard while workload increases

[daisychain01]

I would compile a list of the categories of work you have in your workload.

Highlight against each work category your competency level (High Medium or Low) depending on

• how familiar you are in each area
  
• where the task is new, you are undergoing training currently because you are taking over from the apprentice or
  
• where the task is new and you need training or x weeks/ months to build competence
  

Then you have a good starting point for your meeting to seek your line manager's support to get up to speed.

Facts and data are always useful to create a case for support.

[Tigermoth15]

I would say that you must make a record of everything and email it to yourself so it is time and date stamped should you need it in future. Then exactly as Daisy and Hi have said.

[greenlipstick]

Don't jump straight to complaining! Talk to your manager and ask how they'd like you to prioritise.

[OlennasWimple]

Start by not "complaining" about your workload!

Ask to discuss with your manager how they want you to handle the additional new work against the tasks you are already doing - be positive and proactive in finding a solution