Not to be made to feel insecure in my job because i asked for support

[frustratedworkingmum]

I started my job in november, thrown in at the very murky deep and with little or no managerial support. This is a common occurance in my workplace apparently. There is something really important coming up and I need to be sure that it is done properly, I have asked my line manager repeatedly for support and not received it. I have pretty much had to do her job and get my head around a load of stuff - not given any indication where to look for it, just waved generally in the direction of a website. I am new to this field, have no experience just expected to get on with it. I have spent DAYS (my own time!!!) reading up on this procedure and finally felt i had got on top of it. BUT i felt i needed reassurance from management that I was doing it right - after all, im new, have no experience etc, don't want to fuck it up (because alot of other people rely on it being done right). Got no response from my line manager even though it was actually HER job to get this sorted imo.

I went over her head basically, on the advice of colleagues, to ask for support - got it, told to visit a part of the website i had only just got access to, didnt know was there, in an hour i was sure i was doing therightthing,phew.Started to feel much better. HAve now got the process underway and happy wiht it.

My line manager however has said to me that if i don't feel i can cope with my hours then she can get someone else to cover them for me (to "support" me) and I think she has set about putting that in place. Not before i have got the stuff sorted that SHE was supposed to be in charge of! Then i think she will get rid of me.

The problem is im on short term (4 week) contracts so I can't do anything about what i feel will be unfair dismissal.

So frustrated - i have spent the past few weeks feeling unable to cope and now i have got on top of it all after getting the support that should have come from her, She has clearly been bollocked and is out for revenge. I can do nothing about it.

I am not feeling sorry for myself or singled out, she is not just like this with me and the office is like a simmering cauldron of stress.

What can i do???? if anything :(

Sorry, that is pretty cryptic but i dont want to out myself

I'd start looking for other work now, or go above her head again and see if you can be transferred somewhere she isn't?

aldi, this is my first job for a LONG while (was SAHM) and it took me AGES to find this one :( But yes, will definately look for something else.

I have been made to feel like a "grass" or a tittle tattler - i can't transfer as the job is specialised :(

anyone have any ideas how i can protect myself? I NEED this job

Put all you have put in your OP to the person in the more senior position who advised you about the procedure and website. Without mentioning your line manager. Thank the senior for her support?

1. Look for work now, so much easier when you already have a job. You can truthfully cite short term contract as the reason.

1. Talk to your line manager. Tell her that you value the opportunity and are on top of things. Try to convince her that you won't be a PITA. It is worth a shot.

Have done that Holey, and pandered to her ego saying that the talk we had on monday made me feel a whole lot better, she gave me some positive feedback and i told her i felt on top of things now and able to continue as what was giving me the stress is now sorted out and under way. I can now just focus on my main role. Have put this in an email to both her and her senior, separately, saying that with their support (finally!) i feel more confident etc. But i think my coat is on a shaky peg.

I am definately going to look for an alternative, just not much about :( Maybe will be easier now im actually working.

Was out of work for such a long time and i ENJOY my job, i dont enjoy the stress, everyone else in same boat and to a degree i can suck it up, but not when i am scared i'll fuck up and end up screwing up a lot of other peoples futures :( I just needed some guidance and have been made to feel pathetic and needy for asking for help

anyone else?

Are you sure your line manager is in a position to replace you? You've made it clear in writing to the more senior person that you can now cope and someone has had words with your line manager over the incident - won't she fear you will expose her more if she treats you unfairly now?

If you haven't already, then be very clear in person and in writing to both managers that you feel very confident in your assigned role and absolutely do not require someone to cover your hours.

If you think it won't backfire, maybe you could talk to the senior manager again about your concerns - that you feel you have worked conscientiously, that you can do the job you are paid for well, and are worried that your contract will not be renewed because you sought support for work which you took on to assist with your line manager's workload.

last splash, that about sums up my plan. The problem i have is that both managers are very close (so it appears) and get one well so i don't know much about how the senior manager works. I actually don't know very much about how corporations work generally as i have always worked in academia in the past. The level of stress is astounding and i daily watch people sniping and snapping at each other because they are stretched to their limits. So in the long wrong i don't think i WANT to stay at the job but of coure i don't want to be "got rid of" either.

I have put this into words but not told the senior manager about her indicating she ws going to reduce my hours, but i have reason to believe she has set the ball rolling. I know she wont get rid of me until the thing that i had to sweat to much to get my head around is done (about a month) but i would be willing to bet money she will find a way to get rid of me after that time. Bloody cow - im so angry about it. She treats the whole team like shit but like me, they need their jobs and just take it - they have established posts though and would have some protection. I don't have any :(

long run!!