Would you ask for more work?

[newlabelwriter]

I'm covering a maternity role at the moment as an EA for 3 senior executives and recently one of them has gone on long term sick (no idea when she's back at the moment) so I'm not as busy as I normally am so a bit bored. I've mentioned to my both of the other people I work for and they're fine with it but I'd just like more to do as not used to being this quiet.

My question is would you mention this to HR so just see how things pan out? It's a global company so may well be more work out there but also the paranoid bit of me also worried they might think I've not enough to do and cut my contract short (not been mentioned by anyone btw so very much in my head

TIA

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b

I would. I would always think well if someone who was honest about not having enough work to do and looking for more. Though I probably wouldn't ask HR in the first instance. I'd ask the two executives whether there was anything additional that I could do to support them or anyone else who might have picked up the work of the third. I'd only go to HR if they said no.

If you do speak to HR, don't forget to make clear that it's a temporary situation, though. because presumably once the other personal returns from sick leaves your work will increase again and you don't want to be overloaded.

it might be rocking the boat though

Yes I would and have but not to hr just to my line manager. One because I hate to be bored and would feel dishonest and secondly because I think it shows that you are keen and interested. Which just can't be a bad thing. I wouldn't want to be the person who just keeps their head down and hopes no one notices they aren't doing much.

I wouldn’t mention it to HR as they might suggest reducing your hours, unless you would rather do that?. I guess as it’s a maternity cover role the other 2 executives probably don’t mind you having a bit of extra capacity as it’s not long term. I would ask them again if there is any additional support that you could give. Can you wfh at all? I’ve been in a role where I didn’t have enough to do, and it was short term, wfh days saved my sanity as I didn’t feel the need to just sit staring at my pc doing nothing all day long.

I would! If you show a positive hardworking attitude you may be offered other roles within the company once this contract is up.
I would take it day by day/ week by week. Once you had finished all your work that day I would email to say I have completed all my work - is there anything else I can do? That would be after checking I had done everything perfectly first .

I’ve done this, no need for HR! I just went to the line manager all bright and breezy and said something along the lines of “oh I’m really on top of things at the moment, is anyone a bit swamped or anything a bit neglected and I’ll jump on that” I think she took the hint as I’m the go to person now she asks to do extra bits.

I work in HR and wouldn't suggest you came to us, it'll sound like a moan or a complaint. Raise it with your line managers, up to them if they take the bait.

What @lastqueenofscotland said. If they don't have more work to give you I wouldn't push it though, I have had jobs like this and found it frustrating but have accepted that part of the role is being on call in case something comes up

Great thanks all. Someone is now covering the role while my other Executive is on sick leave and so I'm going to speak to her about supporting her while she's in the role (she's already on the team and I have a good relationship with her) as she doesn't have any support at the moment. Hopefully something will come of that.