To be annoyed at this work situation?

[angrymcangerson]

Name changed for this.

I hold a management position at a large firm, I have a team of about 10 people. I started in august and to date have received maybe 2 hours training tops. My role covers a lot of aspects and a lot has been a work it out as you go along situation. I've taken it in my stride asked questions at any opportunity that I could to try and get information. This has lead to me feeling like I'm annoyingly people with my questions but due to the nature of the systems and policies there is little else I can do.
Fast forward to the end of last week where I was told my job was taking on an additional aspect something that I've never done before. I had a 20 min overview sessions and told that for the next week I could shadow another manager to understand the process. On Friday I received an aggressive email demanding why something hadn't been done on this new aspect and that we had now breeched our policy. I apologised and explained the situation and that I thought I was shadowing him for the next week to know what the hell I was doing. However asked if they would consider a more in depth training session so I could see the process as a whole. Today I received another awful email telling me that I had my training and the fact I couldn't do it was 'telling'. They said that I have made a massive error in judgement and could cost the firm. They suggested that I just read the policy. Again I emailed back that I could only apologise for clearly getting the wrong end of the stick by thinking I was shadowing however I will re read the policy.
By this point I was really upset, I feel like I've let myself down and that I wasn't cut out for this role. The whole weekend I've been anxious about this. So I called the person i was shadowing explained the situation and received a blut response so I cried (I am ashamed to admit it! But I was beyond angry!) they immediately apologised and said that they will deal with any that come in.
AIBU to be angry that I was put in this situation and be left to feel that I've let the firm down?

It's really hard to say without knowing more info (i.e. what the task is, how difficult it is, how similar it is to the rest of your work, what exactly you were hired to do/claimed you could do when hired, etc) but it sounds really stressful and I hope you get the support you need.

I’d reply quoting any email evidence you have regarding the shadowing. They’ve dropped the ball and are trying to blame you. I’d also be looking for another job where I don’t get treated like crap.

I think their initial reaction to you not completing something being via an aggressive email, is also very telling, about the culture of the company. Personally, I would be thinking about whether this was the kind of place I really wanted to work.

Aside from that, people have very different ideas about what “training” consists of. This company seem to think that pointing you in the direction of the relevant policy/process is sufficient. Whether we agree with that approach or not, they are not likely to change it for you so if you are going to stay, then it sounds like you are going to have to take the initiative for getting yourself up to speed ASAP. Go back through all the policies. Read them through several times, make sure you know every thing you are responsible for, and the risks involved if it’s not done, when does it need to be done by, etc. And keep asking questions if you need to!
Good luck

YANBU- it sounds awful op and I would also look for another job.

No it doesn't sound like the problem is you . The firm has let YOU down.

The Culture sounds horrible. Don't let this knock your confidence and consider if you want to stay ?

Hi Op I agree with what all the previous poster's have already said on this thread, it sounds like quite a toxic work culture you are at currently.

@farandfew

It's really hard to say without knowing more info (i.e. what the task is, how difficult it is, how similar it is to the rest of your work, what exactly you were hired to do/claimed you could do when hired, etc) but it sounds really stressful and I hope you get the support you need.

I agree, it's not efficient for them to not give you the proper training, has there possibly been a misunderstanding about whether you already had experience?

Without knowing what the tasks are it's impossible to say whose expectations are out of line.

I guess it depends what you do but I wouldn’t really expect a manager to get training, I would expect them to work it out themselves. I have not had any on the job training when starting a new job for many years. I would expect people to be helpful however and those emails you have received are awful, unprofessional and unhelpful

@farandfew it is very different from the job role a completely different section and not something I have every had experience in/claimed I had experience in. I've never done management before and I made that very clear in my CV and interview. My normal role is to do with communications, using data bases, general admin, dealing with directors etc. It involves a lot of data manipulation and brand compliance. I've picked up most of this no issue. The only issues being they use very intricate reporting systems and data based which are built for the company so it's not something you can look up for yourself and there is no how to guides! You are reliant on people showing you as you go along.
They wanted me to run something that they normal dedicate 1 full time member of staff too. The staff member is paid significantly more than others their level due to the complexity and nature of the job he's due to leave in a week so they thought I'd be a good fit! So here lies another issue I'm expected to do my job, manage my team as well as taking on this role which has always had a full time member of staff dedicated to it because it needs to be acted on in such specific time frames and precise procedures etc. Normally people phase into this role over a period of 2 months rather than a 20 min 'training'

Don't get upset, get angry.

" You haven't done X"
"As per the email below, I am only shadowing this week and will be taking on responsibilities next week once more familiar with the process and less likely to make mistakes. If it hasn't been done by then, please let me know and I will make it a priority"

A little PA is sometimes neccessary to cover your own ass!