To think new employee should know what to do

[user1498253950]

AIBU to think that by the end of 4 weeks in a new job someone should be able to most of what is on their job description? Basically, colleague left and I was left covering that job (and doing my own job). New person started 4weeks ago and I am still doing at least 50% of their job with no payment and no support.

Who is training the new person? Is it supposed to be your job to train them?

Depends on the job. Shelf stacking yes, complicated office job with many processes no.

We have a 6 month probation period where I work. Each month you're expected to get a bit better, faster, take on more responsibility. You should be up to speed by the end of the six months or the induction / training hasn't gone well.

It would have to be a very simple job if it could be mastered in 4 weeks.

Who is training this person?

If the job title is adult, teacher, or parent about 30 years still isn't long enough.

Not my job to train them, I am supposed to be handing over but seems like they are unable to cope with the basic tasks. Line manager is relying on me to tell them what to do

I recently started a new position and was told that by 3 months I should be 75% competent and by 6 months 100%. I am being fully supported along the way.

I think your expectations are unrealistic...unless it's shelf stacking.

Ok. So whose job is it to train them?

Not shelf stacking but fairly entry level basic job

But are they being trained by someone.

We have a 3 month initially training process then 6 month with on going support for more complicated roles. Admins staff I would expect to still need support at 2 two months and fully up to speed by 3 months.

I think your expectations are too high.

So you should be training them as you hand over? Unless it is an exact replication of their previous job and systems they will need training and supervision to get up to speed.

I should say that we have a relatively structured training process. You still haven't clarified the amount of training they are having.

People with 10 years experience in my compsny still need guidance. 18 months later and I'm still learning. (Fairly technical and legally driven finance role)

Really depends on what it is. If I've hired someone to do a job they're experienced in , then I'd expect them them to be up and running within a few weeks. But basic entry level jobs don't usually attract experience so you probably have someone with the right soft skills who needs to be trained up. Look after them - if young and bright, they might end up being your manager in a few years. (i'm going to work for someone I trained years ago at another basic entry level job- he hired me on the spot as he thought I was fantastic).

If it's not your job to train them, but your job is being negatively impacted by the fact that they aren't properly trained, I would suggest that you just train them instead of leaving them to flail.

Your boss will be pleased.
You should win the loyalty if the person you help.
Your day gets easier.

It's win/win.

If the training's poor they're going to take longer to get to grips with everything. If the training is being done by you while you also try to do your own job I can see why things would be going badly.

Agree, it depends on the complexity of the job and whether they are actually being shown what to do properly or just expected to guess.

Would a little a bit of time and care invested in supporting them now pay off for you long term? I would suggest not doing 50% of their job but support them (patiently and generously) to do it themselves. If that means things get done more slowly, so be it, and if management get funny about that, you can tell them why.

It sounds like it's your job to train them.

They need training. Sort it out. IME if someone is struggling with an entry level job it's down to lack of training. If your line manager is relying on you then it sounds like it's your job. Sort out some structured training.

You sound very impatient. Four weeks is such a short time!

Is the new person is doing your old role and you need to train them?

Four weeks isn't a lot. Even an entry-level job doesn't run totally smoothly until it's become second nature, IME. My first full-time job was very bog standard stuff, on the phones in customer services, and the training was lacklustre to say the least. I worked there three months and was definitely still winging it in some areas when I left. (OTOH the job I went to was way more complex but they knew that and trained their staff properly - I didn't even touch the biggest projects until I was over 6 months in.)

As PPs have said, I wouldn't expect anyone to walk into a new role, in a new company and know what to do. A new job is a steep learning curve and if there's no structured training, it will obviously take much longer for someone to get up to speed.

It sounds like you are being angry at the wrong person. It is your's and their's line manager who is at fault. You need to talk to them.

Thanks for your advise. Seems like i am expecting too much ( it had been a long time since I started a new job). A chat with my line manager on Monday might be a good idea. Maybe their line manager will invest some more time in to them now I have done the basic hand over of what I know about doing that job ( not my area so I have learnt on the job whilst covering). I don't know what training their line manager has done for them.