When you mess up at work and there is no way to make it better?

[BlastedPimples]

What do you do?

Just eat humble pie forever?

There is no way out if it. Just have to apply again later this year.

For me, be honest and apologise. I have a certain part of my job that I regularly seem to mess up on (only four of us can do it but I take lead unless I'm off) - lots of things to cover in time allotted and technology doesn't place it's part - everyone knows and has to cover for the extra time taken to sort it out.

Turns out that I'm not the only one capable of messing it up though. I was off the other week and apparently there was a massive argument between person doing my job and their support.

You made one honest mistake what you need to do now is just get on with it and forget about it

Own up, apologise, look at HOW this happened and how it could be avoided in future.

Lets be honest, if you've made this mistake, so could someone else.

So perhaps you need a new system where any funding applications are reviewed by someone else. It's not uncommon, particularly because when you are filling in forms and reading the same info over and over, its very easy to miss things and can require a second pair of eyes to spot errors.

It is also appalling that the error was clearly noted and NOT flagged to your charity/company to correct, and just left until you queried it!

@WiddlinDiddlin is it appalling that it wasn't flagged up by the foundation?

I bet you feel rubbish but you may not have been awarded the funding even with the correct form.

you need to give yourself a break.

I work for a charity and do lots of funding applications.

Look at it as if you didn't meet the criteria. It's really not that bad. You didn't do it on purpose and it wasn't guaranteed money from my understanding.
You have probably completed lots of applications and got nowhere with them.
It's how it works.

However if your team / manager are not supportive you might want to think of how this suits you and this role.

Don't worry, it's not a huge mistake.

This this and this 👆🏻 no matter whether it’s a mistake made in work or in life. Shit happens. We aren’t robots. We make mistakes and people need to learn the art of empathy and compassion. It drives me crazy when people will not forgive, attack them and make them feel bad for their mistake and gaslight.

Funding applications are hellish. I salute anyone who does that as a job.

OP you'll definitely feel better about it tomorrow. I really feel for you. I have just started writing funding applications and it's a massive task on your own. I'm glad someone has suggested always work on them with others - I'll be asking management to proof read from now on. I think you've been let down by 'the system' and I'm sure your colleagues will support you X

It does seem to be desolate. A local arts charity is appealing for donations to keep them afloat. On their website, they’ve listed all the grants they’ve applied for in recent months - all without success.

My boss just called me.
She was so nice.

Mistakes happen. She said. Even she and my other boss have made them, she said.

I could have wept.

I don't like the job. It's really hard and often demoralising but it was so kind of her to call me.

I am also going to ask the funding foundation that rejected my application if it was rejected solely because it was n the wrong form or if because they did not like the project concept.

And thank you all for your super constructive comments. I really appreciate it.

Quit if you can't get over it

Also work for a charity - this has happened twice to us before. It's shit but the only thing you can do is learn from it and move on.

OP I really feel for you because you're clearly upset. I am currently reviewing funding applications. As you already know funding is in short supply, we get 100s for the funding we offer. We simply don't have time to check back in with applicants to see if they have made a mistake. It's really harsh but you now know you either need to re check everything you have done for mistakes or get a colleague to do it before sending the applications in. Your boss sounds lovely.

Actually it sounds as if your boss doesn't blame you - your boss says the funder should have flagged it up. And if they've written you a glowing reference for an additonal parttime job then surely they do value you highly after all?

Maybe if they have the resources they could get someone to check the applications before they go out in future. If not, well that's how it is for small charities.

I haven't read your other thread but it sounds as if the person who's giving you the worst kicking is you.

@AmaryllisNightAndDay yeah. I messed up. So I think I do deserve a flaying. I'm good at that.

Sorry you made a mistake & the founding foundation did not give the opportunity to rectify it. I wouldn't ask them if that was tge only reason it was rejected as this will only make you feel worse.

No. If there is a chance it could get approved on the correct application I need to know.

💐💐💐💐life is crap sometimes OP. Sorry you had a bad one today. Hope it gets better soon.

No OP

The foundation doesn’t owe you a bloomin thing!

OP
you have been explicitly told by the Foundation that you are no longer being consider and indeed have not been since the outset of them receiving the first form.

You need to go in tomorrow with your head held high BUT hands up that you have made a major error, you completely grasp the severity and you are profoundly sorry

The other application you’ve been shortlisted for… go in hard on this and tightly cross yout fingers!!