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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not push an employee to do more?

57 replies

itsallbowlsbaby · 31/07/2024 19:31

I started a new role six weeks ago and have inherited a small team based all over the world. Three of them are young, ambitious, eager to progress. One of them works at a very large site and does all the admin for it, and therefore is quite insular and self sufficient. She also speaks a different language. She's been there 20 years and is considered part of the furniture. I've just done her mid year performance review and it's very clear she doesn't want to do any more, take on any more, broaden her role or do any additional training. She's quite happy doing her job and going home. Says she has no capacity to take on any more. Thing is, MY boss wants her to take on more but by the sounds of it, she will push back. I'd be quite happy to leave her to it and focus on the younger members who do want to further their careers. WIBU to just let her get on with it?? She's late 50s if that's relevant.

OP posts:
Original poster
itsallbowlsbaby · 31/07/2024 19:46

Boss wants her to be more visible across the whole company and not just focus on the needs of her site. So meet regularly with site leads across all other locations and share what they're doing, what she's doing, share best practice especially around things like sustainability. That's all met with a very noncommittal shrug and an explanation that's she's just too busy.

OP posts:
Original poster
itsallbowlsbaby · 31/07/2024 19:43

Absolutely. Things is, I think she probably could do a bit more but at the same time, she gets on with things, gets things done and is generally a good employee. Punctual, very rarely ill, respectful and gets good feedback.

OP posts:
MeowCatPleaseMeowBack · 31/07/2024 19:42

Does your boss want her to "do more" as in be more productive in her current role, or does the boss want her to have more responsibility?

lazzapazza · 31/07/2024 19:42

What does her job description say?

FunkyDonkey · 31/07/2024 19:42

In my experience, people management is all about tailoring your leadership style and flexing to the needs of the people you manage. As long as she is engaged in what she’s currently doing and is happy I don’t think there’s any need to put extra responsibility on her that she doesn’t want. It’s likely that, due to her tenure, she is just the best fit for the responsibility but it will take no time at all to get the younger, more eager ones to where she is and then they will be ready to take on more. She should be your number one priority please advocate for her to your boss!

SausageinaBun · 31/07/2024 19:40

I'd say that it's best to have a mixture of people in a team - some who are happy to stay doing the role as it is and others who are eager to progress. Do you have that balance?

SaulHudsonDavidJones · 31/07/2024 19:40

If she's meeting her job requirements and not just floating, then leave her be. If she's not pulling her weight then she needs a kick up there bum.