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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Unreasonable urgent work requests AIBU?

53 replies

Biffkipandchip · 30/06/2018 01:53

I have a reasonably nice, moderately paid job for a large organisation. It's fairly technical and I work part time.

There are only 3 people who do this sort of work amongst a few thousand staff, and in the last year our workload has gone a bit crazy. Crazy in so much as we are booked up for a few months, however people keep requesting work and expecting us to drop everything and help them. They are also massively patronising about how easy they think my job is and nothing I do should apparently take more than 5 minutes.Hmm

I had a pretty pissy phone call followed by an email this week where once again they wanted something urgently for next week, which would take me only 2 minutes (I wish). I explained it wasn't possible as we have a few big deadlines next week that the colleague really should be in the know about, but they persisted to the point where I have no choice but to work over the weekend unpaid again. They are willing to pay to outsource for a large quantity of stationary supplies (several hundred) but apparently can't afford to outsource the bit they need from me.

I've just spent about 4 hours on their work and wondering if I should send it to them right now so they understand that their demands put me in the position of working until 1am? Would they even give a shit?

I've done this before to meet an urgent request and the colleague had the cheek to ask me if I had nothing better to do at 3am Angry

OP posts:
Pumpkintopf · 30/06/2018 01:55

I think you should definitely send it, and request an urgent review of your workload with your line manager on your next working day.

Original poster
Biffkipandchip · 30/06/2018 02:05

Thanks Pumpkintopf. I'm glad you don't think I'm being too unreasonable, I am starting to get a bit paranoid that I'm just not efficient enough at my jobSad

I used to work for one section of the business, but they decided this wasn't enough, so centralised myself and a colleague and opened our services up to 6 sections of the business, one of which is about five times the size of where I used to work.

OP posts:
BlueBug45 · 30/06/2018 02:06

You need to learn to say "No" and be firm about it.

Do you have children or anyone else to care for? Or a consuming hobby? If so use this as an excuse why you cannot do the work outside your contracted hours, and repeat it like a broken record.

I suggest you speak to your manager asap and point out that you are getting unreasonable urgent requests. If people planned their work properly then the requests wouldn't be urgent. Also make sure others doing your role are aware of you bringing it up with your manager.

I should add I've had roles where I had to say "No" to people for my own sanity, and then if the teams I'm working with have no spare capacity to do the work. Yes I've been shouted at, bitched about and have had complaints higher up but if you have a specialist skill part of your role is to stop people taking the piss with urgent requests because they can't plan their own projects properly.

Original poster
Biffkipandchip · 30/06/2018 02:11

I do Bluebug45, 2 young children hence why I end up doing it after they've gone to bed. I'm going to have to be brave and have a chat with the boss about it. I keep telling him we need more of us, but he says there's just no budget for it!

OP posts:
onlyk · 30/06/2018 02:13

Send it now, copying in your line manager and if possible the requesters line manager. This will make your line manager more aware of the issue and also the requesters line manager (I.e. the requesters may have left things to the last minute to request help putting pressure on you which their own line manager may not be aware, as a line manager myself I would not be happy about that type of behaviour by my team).

Also as above set up a meeting with your line manager to discuss work load and the escalation process (I.e. when you need someone at a higher level to step in and say no/ not possible at this time on your behalf). Your above post seems to suggest you don’t feel empowered to say no or as an alternative direct them to someone more senior to prioritise their request for the team.

WandinValley · 30/06/2018 02:15

Graphic designer? They treat ours like shit, expect beautiful 48pp documents in 45mins (I wish I was exaggerating).

Definitely speak to your manager and perhaps set some realistic SLAs for your work. Then you can set an auto-reply email that outlines when to expect a response and how long each type of job will be delivered by.

Original poster
Biffkipandchip · 30/06/2018 02:18

Wandinvalley you've outed me a bitBlush

OP posts:
OhTheRoses · 30/06/2018 02:23

Actually I think I'd send an email to your line manager now with the work attached and a note about the additional time you have had to put in. However I'd email the requester the work first job in the morning and without complaint. That way you get your point across and remain professional.

Shumpalumpa · 30/06/2018 02:32

This is awful, OP.

You need to document this occasion and all future occasions and email your manager. If your manager knows you're having to work weekends (and until 1am /3am Shock ) to complete work then he is massively taking advantage. This is unacceptable.

Original poster
Biffkipandchip · 30/06/2018 02:42

I think working to urgent deadlines is pretty common in this field, except I'm not a freelancer or agency worker. It's meant to be 9-5, but I think people have a weird view that we work the same hours as external providers. I can see why a freelancer would, you up your rates and have a bit of a break after, but our work just keeps coming and there doesn't appear to be a break in the year.

Been imagining what it might be like to just quit, but DH think a we wouldn't cope financially and I can only imagine an agency wouldn't treat me much better?

OP posts:
shakingmyhead1 · 30/06/2018 02:43

each time a request comes in for after hours work reply stating your very costly after hours rate and state you will do it as long as you are compensated the stated amount and you want confirmation in writing from whom ever is able to make that decision and if they dont want to pay you $$$ for the extra "after hours at home work" then they can wait until the timetable allows

TheMagnificentEthel · 30/06/2018 07:02

You can break it down once in an email.
John - to change the background from red to blue is not a 2 minutes job.It is different from Microsoft Paint or even Photoshop

  1. First I need to access the delta layer in RBT. This allows only the background to change and nothing else.
  1. Then I need to disable the text which means I have to disable GA codes.
  1. The flange needs to be calibrated.

Then it needs to dry for half an hour.

Obviously not those words but get as technical as you can.

The other brilliant approach someone once shared with me is this.

OK, you want me to work on the BBX case.
I’m working on the ABC case which will take 3 hours and XYZ is due tomorrow and that takes 4 hours. which project do you want me to cancel work on? . If they say ‘oh, just squeeze it in, or cancel ABC. Then take the same scenario to your manager

Boss, in order to do A, which do I cancel B,C or D? It is his job and he gets paid to make these decisions.

Note you are not adding your free unpaid time to the equation.

Also DO NOT say ‘I can’t do it because of the kids, or sick grandma’ or whatever. Then it becomes more about how you can’t cope with home and work rather than poor scheduling.

Good luck.

KTheGrey · 30/06/2018 07:12

Clearly not acceptable - unpaid overtime and not even asking politely. You should definitely look into alternative employment - you might find out you are more employable than you think. You presumably aren't limited by geography, after all.

Labradoodliedoodoo · 30/06/2018 07:15

Your boss has to email everyone reminding them that there is w long waiting list for work to be completed and it isn’t possible to deal with last minute demands so departments need to think ahead.

Don’t do the work this weekend. It maybe urgent but they need to learn the hard way about dead lines. Otherwise you’re reinforcing it’s ok to make last minute demands.

MrsZippyLake · 30/06/2018 07:15

I work part time and if there is urgent work to be done, I ask my manager to agree that I may work an extra day or half-day from home and then I bill them. Would that be possible for you to do?

FinallyHere · 30/06/2018 07:22

he says there's just no budget for it!

@TheMagnificentEthel

ForalltheSaints · 30/06/2018 07:23

I think you need to involve your manager to be contacting others as has been suggested- most of the 'urgent' requests probably come from bad planning.

ThinkOfAWittyNameLater · 30/06/2018 07:25

Do not justify why you won't work for free in YOUR TIME. You could be swinging from the chandelier naked all weekend - it's none of their business.

You need to make this your managers problem. So when the request comes in, reply you can't do it - it will take X time and you don't have that until Y date.

If they go on to argue say they need to take it up with your manager. Do not commit to do any extra hours without that request coming via your manager and without some compensation agreed - be it money or time in lieu (and a date to take it).

Di11y · 30/06/2018 07:29

In your situation I was having weekly meetings with my boss to agree priorities and anyone who felt their deadline trumped work planned for that week had to go through my boss.

We had a list of vetted external freelancers and if there was a smallish project with budget (Not everyone had one!) Wed recommend they use someone else.

Di11y · 30/06/2018 07:31

We have now introduced internal cross charging so if there's "No budget" then you can't do the work either and they'll have yo fudge it. (With some exceptions)

0lapislazuli · 30/06/2018 07:32

What ThinkOf is saying!

You need to say no. You cannot let work take up precious sleep (and affect your health long term). It’s not your fault work can’t afford another member of staff. Just tell people that workload is high due to staff shortages, unfortunately there is a backlog of work and they can expect their work to be done by... etc.

The more often you do take on extra work and work in weekends, the more people will expect you to do this. Eventually they’ll just ask you to do stuff instead of your colleagues. Are they working at nights and weekends? Be firm.

kimber83 · 30/06/2018 07:34

You need to deal with this as a resource management problem.

You're covering up and hiding a planning and staffing problem by keeping bailing them out.

If course it won't change whilst you are covering the gap.

Google Strategies to help , there are lots aimed at e.g. PAs which will help. All involve articulating the problem and putting it back onto the staff (management) that should be aware, supporting and managing your workload.. who isn't doing their job for you here?

You're in a fairly unique role where jobs are distinct, output is specifically needed... It helps in this discussion. It's a lot harder when your output is less tangible but similarly overworked where managers could excuse it by claiming poor time management or needing to just do their admin quicker etc (lawyer, social worker etc).

henpeckedinchief · 30/06/2018 07:38

YANBU at all. Send it now and then forward it to your manager and say you would like to meet to discuss on Monday because you currently have an unmanageable workload and are having to do unpaid overtime, and that this needs rectified.

Hissy · 30/06/2018 07:40

I’ve been in design for decade
This is a constant battle

Just say no. It goes like this:

“Sorry, no.”

“But it’s urgent etc etc. It will only take 2 seconds etc etc”

“Sorry, but it takes considerably longer than you think it will. It can’t be done for when you’ve left it to, you need to organise these things with much more notice. You’re welcome to take it up with your line manager about our workload and capacity, but there is no capacity for us to start on this work until ”

“I have to go now, I have deadlines to work to”

Don’t allow people to harangue you on a phone call. End the call by suggesting they talk to their boss, butbthat you can’t help and have to go.

Failing that, put them through to your boss and ask them to decide which of your already existing and urgent projects you need to let down and drop.

Don’t donate your time to fixing this guy’s problems that he’s created by leaving to the last minute

The organisation won’t do anything about this until things stop being done. You’re working for free and it’s an expectation.

That’s not on. I’d bring this up with your manager in strong terms and then start looking for a role in a better resources organisation