is this a normal job role or I am being stupid staying?

[bipbapbomp]

I finished my degree in December last year, and struggled to find a job relevant to it - I took a job in a supermarket over Christmas to make sure I didn't go too far into my overdraft, and it did tied me over! Luckily, on the 3rd January I was approached by someone on LinkedIn who offered me a job interview for a assistant project manager role. The interview was informal, and he said CV speaks for itself etc etc - and I got offered the job on the day. I started the week after.

At the interview, it was made clear that I would be supported ("micromanaged") by the manager. The role is part time (3 days a week), and as I am completing a second Masters now, these are on specific days, agreed with management: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

As the location is remote, I am based in an office on my own in a city centre location.

So quick summary!
working as an assistant project manager, 3 days a week, first role as this and was told I would get a lot of support, and in a location on my own, where I don't have support from anyone else in the business.

The CEO I am working for is really lovely and says I am doing a good job, but I'm not sure...

So here's my problem:

• I am totally unsure of what my role is. I do not have a job description. I don't even have a contract.

• I am forwarded emails to reply to, without context or understanding of what is needed with the reply.

• I am not given tasks, targets or ANYTHING to achieve that would stretch the 3 days. Arranging training is something I have been given; but doesn't take a great deal of time. I know there's an element of you have to create your own workload, but because of the sector this is, it would be impossible to create a new project etc.

• On most days I am twiddling my thumbs. This is made worse because I am in an office on my own - it stresses me out as I don't have anyone checking if I even came in! I could easily (and would never actually do this) not come in. Also, there's not a lot of support if I need it.

• On the days I am not meant to be working, I will get emails asking me to email/send an update to someone; and on the business Whatsapp they will ask me to do this - even when I am in Uni on my "days off". At the moment this is obviously fine, as I am struggling to find work to stretch the 3 days I do work. But, I am worry that there will be an expectation that I would "as and when" for the money I get - emails come in at like 11pm to reply to.

I am feeling deflated. Does this sound dodgy/rubbish or is it me being an inexperienced idiot?

I am getting really anxious that I am missing something, not doing the job properly or I am going to make a mistake. I have spoken to management prior to this and they've said I'm doing well, just carry on. But with what??

AIBU or is this job not a good option?

You need a payslip. Who's rented the office you're using? Could you ask them?

Look up the charity details.

It would be more normal to have had at least a visit to the head office to mean the people involved in the projects you're managing.

In order for it to be money laundering, the money has to go back to him somehow - the point of the laundering is that the money gets a clean source - if he's just paying you, then what is that source?

I will say that I have had jobs that are so chaotic that I haven't had a job description, or really known what I was expected to do for months on end. I have left each of these jobs in the end, as it's no way to spend your days, however if the tax stuff isn't sorted you're in for a world of pain.

It’s odd that they’ve sought you out and then paid you immediately upon your acceptance, I’ve never experienced that.
I would probably try and do a bit of research on the company, are there any other employees, what is the actual charity a charity for ?

You might just be getting the settling in treatment right now.
It sounds like you're being used for Admin rather than project management.
If you have concerns, ask to speak to the boss. It's a lot more reasonable than just quitting.

Ask them to outline your specific duties and tell them you're struggling to fill your day. I'm sure they will be more than happy to give you extra responsibility.

If you have concerns, ask to speak to the boss. It's a lot more reasonable than just quitting

To be honest any company who doesn't provide you with a contract before or just after you start can't really expect their employees to be reasonable.

Might not be laundering but it's shady as fuck. Money up front? No payslip, no contract, seeking out someone on LinkedIn who's never worked in their field, in an office by themselves, just sending emails occasionally....

This whole set up is very odd, I would be worried

Is the charity listed on the Charity Commission website or not?

Some people start charities as a "vanity project" with their own money but this is stretching it, I think you need to give the person one chance to explain and then consider your options - is there a friend or family member you can talk to, or get advice from ACAS you can just ring their helpline any time but I have to say I think they will simply tell you to get out of it sharpish!

I agree with every word of @milliefiori's excellent advice:

OP, for now, if the pay is useful to you, just take your MA coursework into the office and do it during quiet periods, then compensate for this by answering emails on your non-work days at three specific times of day, say at lunchtime, early evening after college and just before bed, keeping tabs on how much time you spend doing this. Don;t do them as and when, or you'll go mad. Do what you can in the time you allott each day and anything left over gets carried over to your next email-check-in slot the following day. Make sure that the hours you spend on your off days are not more than the hours you spend doing your own wokr when you are in the office.

Try to see it as a positive. An office of your own to get your MA thesis researched and written. As they say, so long as you do the work and they are happy, and you keep a note of hours to prove you are not taking the mickey if they do check up, then it's quite normal. Some jobs require you to be present in case you are needed rather than to actually do something specific each day.

Problem is, the work she’s doing (secretarial/admin) does not fit the job title she has, and that looks dodgy to future employers. This wouldn’t matter if it’s not work that’s relevant to what you want to do long term, but you’ve said is IS a relevant job. I think it’ll do you no favours to stay in a non-job.

I work in the third sector - I run a very small constituted organisation (voluntary) where we employ two part time workers, and I work three days in a small charity of four part time workers. For very small or new organisations this set up you describe is very common. I'm assuming the organisation has got a small grant for some admin help, and perhaps the organisation is run by unpaid trustees or a CEO that is unpaid or part time? Very different to working in a larger organisation of course.

I would take the advice upthread and 1. Ask for a meeting to get the job description sorted and 2. As Milliefiori suggests re managing your time at work and off work, where you work on your MA in quiet periods and answer emails when you have free time at home. I've done this myself many times and it's worked well for me and the organisation - it's give and take.

the charity is well known locally. My post is apparently funded by a local authority - but the payment was arranged by the CEO, so I don't really understand that bit.

the charity is registered, and all seems above board there.

I agree with comments saying it's going to look bad as I have a title of assistant project manager, and I am essentially doing admin. Argh.

I feel stuck because I like the charity and I would love the role if it was actually managing stuff.

I do need the money as I need to pay rent, but it feels horrible to stay for that.

Did you get a payslip?

Have you looked the charity up on the Charity Commission's site yet. Do that before you do anything else. If they're not there, they're not a charity.

Then look up your boss' name on the companycheck.com site. Google his name and see what comes up on official type sites (not linkedin, fb or twitter!).

They are clearly operating in s very laid back approach to business. It's started from the way they recruited you.

Laid-back approach has its benefits and inconveniences. You have the benefits of great flexibility, a job that is arranged around your needs to study, a flexible approach to work in that they don't seem to expect a lot from you that means you can focus on your masters.

There are not many jobs like this around, so you need to consider if it's worth throwing it out at this stage or whether you'd be better sticking with it until the end of your masters.

My post is apparently funded by a local authority

It sounds like they have been given funding for your role and they have to utilise it or they may lose this funding in the future.

My post is apparently funded by a local authority
Ah that makes sense now, they had to employ you or they would loose the funding. Also explain the month in advance if certain bits of funding have to be used by a specific time.

YANBU

My current new role I'm sat around doing nothing most days. My manager is of the view that he needs to wrap up 2019 before getting me involved with 2020 work. His thought is by the time he has explained things to me to help out with the 2019 stuff he may as well as just do it himself. I don't agree, but what can I say. Like you, manager works in another office and I doubt it would be noticed if I just logged in from home and replied to the occasional email and dialled into the occasional call (where I say nothing).

Try to use the time for productive stuff

Life admin - need to call utilities about an issue, do price comparison for new energy/broadband, make medical/hair appointments, review your finances? do it at work

Do some of your university studies at work? Even if, like me, you're a bit of a procrastinator, even 1 productive hour towards your thesis a day is something?

Go for a 1 hour walk every lunchtime for some fresh air, sunlight and fitness.

Read or listen to an audiobook you've wanted to for a long time

I'd stay until the Masters is done.

I think if you highlight that you could accommodate more work/more responsibility, then you're covered - as suggested by others, take in your MA work to do in the office.

Then you're there if they need to contact you; you've told them you can take on more work... or use the time to look for another job.

You've only been doing this a couple of weeks right? If I had to guess I would say that they had funding for a position but failed to recruit and are now desperately trying to sort that out so as to not look bad to the donor (LA). As you have only just arrived they won't know what to do with you, they've been coping without the role so probably don't see how to incorporate an extra person.

Ask to meet with the rest the project manager, team members and/or implementing partners so you can be recognised by them. It sounds like you are assistant to the project manager rather than the more grandly titled assistant project manager, but that's fine, first job so good experience.

Request a contract as a matter of urgency. Ask for a job description to be formulated after meeting the relevant people. If you feel up to it write out a draft based on what you have done so far and what you think you could do, but leave it open for them to fill in the gaps. Once you have that, use it as a basis for discussing how you will be assigned tasks.

Be gently assertive and you stand a chance to learn a lot. If anything starts saying 'scam' or serious issue just walk away.

Got your own space and noone checking up on you?

I would -
youtube exercise classes/yoga (think how fit you could be doing a class every day!)
take ipad in and watch netflix
read a book
paint my nails
MA thesis
life admin
long lunches

Apart from being paid in advance I’ve been there. I took a job in a school with the vague brief of establishing the use of a new data base. The first two months were awful, no one could show me what to do or what was expected of me because it was a new role and a new database and no one had a clue what the DBwas for, how it could benefit the school or how to use it. I sat in my lovely private office and cried quite a lot.

I realised I had to self start on this one - I organised my own training, spoke to people in similar roles in other schools, read the old Ofsted reports to see what the school was considered weak on and then told my nominated line manager what I planned to implement. He couldn’t really argue because he didn’t have a clue either!

Once I eventually got everything up and running the job became boring - I actually missed the confusion and tension of the early days. Once the system was established the job was just too easy. I’m so glad I stuck it out in those early days as I eventually created something I was very proud of and my successor came into a very clearly defined role.

Just stay, while you are being paid and organise your work as others have said, take your Masters work in with you.
I’ve been in jobs where there is nothing to do, and you have to eeek out stuff to do. However, this never lasts, and other times you are run ragged.
If you’re paid each month, savour this time.
As for experience, it’s a paid job, don’t overthink right now, I had a temp job they lost the funding for, thats much worse.

I think you can make this work for you.

However, as a matter of urgency you need

Pay slips
A contract
A job description

To keep yourself right.

You’ll then be able to shape the role in the direction you want.

Look on it as a positive.

Use it as time to complete your work on your MA, pay your rent etc

When your MA is complete write your CV and keep it going till you get another job.

They are using you to get the government help so you use them to do stuff you need to do.