Was I being underhanded with new colleague?

[WorkplaceLlama]

I have been covering a post whilst we were waiting for a replacement. I’m experienced in this post but it’s not one I enjoy, so opted to help out rather than apply. I have been doing this role and my substantive post meaning I’m often working until 8pm. It’s a very fast paced role with lots of elements including reporting, admin, policies, management and acting in a senior advisory position.

New colleague (internal placement) started a few weeks ago. I handed over some data reporting to them. It’s a time consuming job, but if you are only doing that and not the other duties (which they are not right now), you can do a month’s worth of data in a day. There was a month and a half to catch up on. Colleague has been working on this for 3 weeks.

Two weeks ago an external client asked for data due next week. I told colleague it was a priority. Then last week the HoS asked how quickly we could send a report. Considering two of us could work on it, I said Monday and told new colleague. I helped them out and did half a month’s worth in between other jobs. Meanwhile my manager spoke to HoS and pushed the deadline back. I didn’t know until new colleague mentioned it to me, so feel like I’ve wasted my time helping but fine. I checked the report before logging off on Friday - they had managed HALF AN ENTRY whilst I’d been doing half a month. I asked colleague if they were struggling or was there anything they didn’t understand. No, all fine (and judging by some of the previous entries from the past few weeks they do seem to get it).

I am on leave this week so did a handover to manager and said new colleague may be struggling so I’d suggest just checking in and see if they need any help.

Another colleague today told me today new colleague is STILL working on the stats because they didn’t know x needed adding. I told them on the handover. The colleague also asked me if x needed to be included via teams chat last week to which I replied yes (it’s also glaringly obvious as it’s mentioned in all of the previous reports including the bits I did to help out). So I checked emails today just in case. I have an email from the external client to ask if they can have the report. I replied copying in new colleague and manager. introducing new colleague and that they are aware and will get back to them today with when they will get it done by. I admit it was passive aggressive but I am really concerned that when non of these deadlines are met, I’ll be the one to blame. I don’t trust this new colleague to not turn round and say they didn’t know. I also don’t trust my manager not to scapegoat me as she is defensive about her choices of appointment.

I am seriously concerned about the lack of work they’re doing and when it comes to light, I’ll be the one to blame. I am also considering emailing HoS just to confirm the conversations I’ve had with new colleague about the deadline to cover myself but not sure how without being petty.

Was that an underhanded way to deal with external client and would I be going too far to email HoS?

Frankly it sounds as if the real problem is your joint manager, so I like the PP's suggestion of the email to send: 'New colleague is taking much too long to process this information, even with allowances for them being new to the process. They have declined offers for further training from me so I am unsure how you would like me to proceed, can you advise?'

Since training her isn't actually your role I'd change a bit to "... has declined further input from me", but otherwise it covers things well
If you don't get a sensible response I'd also resend it later to highlight the fact that she shouldn't bother trying to shift any blame onto you

Sounds like you need to mentally set a break point where you decide that you have handed the reporting responsibility over, 100%, done. You are acting as if you are still responsible for it but you're not. If new colleague can't meet the deadline that is between her and her manager. You are now not involved. You've done the training and knowledge transfer, and that's the end of it. I'd be sending an email to manager and colleague to state clearly that the handover was completed and training resources can be found in X folder.

You do need to cover yourself IMHO. Because if you don't there is a good chance the blame will fall on your shoulders. Sounds like this new person is pretty hopeless and if it's your managers appointment they may be reluctant to face facts. I'd try and opt out of working with this new person.

You need to formally confirm that the handover has been completed and you are no longer dealing with this area of work. So an email to the colleague, HoS and line manager (not cc'ing - to all of them the same). Tell them that you have completed the handover to x and - bullet points - has been covered. This being the case all correspondence relating to this should go to colleague and any communication from clients will also be forwarded on.

Then you stop picking up the pieces. Properly stop. If there's a problem it's not yours.

God, you don't need to ASK when you can stop doing the-job-which-isn't-yours-and-you-aren't-being-paid-for, you just need to remind your manager(s) that it's not your job any more, in a polite way.

I'd draft a brief email - when you're back - along the lines of:

Dear Manager,

It's been a pleasure to welcome New Colleague to the team. In order to help NC settle in and get used to the processes I have (bullet points of the info in your post, including how much time you've spent with them in the last weeks). I'm still here to answer any questions but I now consider the handover complete and wish them the best of luck with the role. I'll be forwarding any enquiries to you and NC, as the person responsible.

Best wishes

OP

X post @stablefeet

Why are you going so far above and beyond for this organisation when you're so worried they'll turn round and shit on you?

60 hours work for 30 hours pay? They are taking the piss.

Don’t do work related anything on your annual leave. You’ve done your but by doing the handover, it’s time to leave it to your colleague and their manager

OP as others have said you're making a rod for your own back.

Set your boundaries, give the support (which you have done) and then hand over. Job done ✅

Why you need to work 60+ hours is unclear, when you are only contracted for 30!

Sorry to sound harsh, but you won't get any thanks from anyone for burning out, so step away now, otherwise they will have themselves an oven-ready scapegoat.

"Oven ready scapegoat" made me laugh!

In answer to your original question (oops) - no you weren't being "underhanded", you were quite correctly passing on the enquiry to the right person. Saying they'd get back to them today is totally legitimate. I've had many similar things sent to me in the past and not thought twice.

You don't sound underhand at all. You are obviously helping out. Email and copy in relevant individuals. If new colleague is struggling you must raise any concerns otherwise you will be blame since you are aware that they are struggling.

You need to cover yourself.

When you document in the email to the new hire, make sure to include dates, handover, and actions. Include a list of any handover docs/guides you have created or provided - including the share drive file path.

I would suggest to also include work effort and expected resource investment; clearly show x report takes x amount of time or what is the client SLA to turn the report around or the internal expectation.

Make sure to clearly ask her if she understands, and advise after 3 weeks of handover you will be going forward focused on your role and stepping back.

Finally, make sure your tone and choice of language is factual and not emotional (don't write and send). cc in your manager with a note to her handover completed and you are stepping back. I would even consider including HoS as a cc to provide an FYI the role transition is complete.

Good luck!

I think you need to be very firm.
Doing so much extra work for no extra pay IMO is making little of yourself.

Organisations will take as much as you give and rarely say thanks.

They need reminding of how much you have been doing.
Especially if you get any attitude.

Your manager sounds extremely unprofessional.

Cover yourself and really work on your boundaries.

Definitely copy HoS.

I agree with all the previous posters that you need to cover your ass on this and provide a paper trail of all you have done to help NC.

Dont take any calls or emails while you are on leave. You went to stay with a sick relative and left your usual phone behind.

I don't know what a head of service is (I assume a big boss) but I think you'd be OK to send a factual neutral email to her/him and manager confirming what you'd done to train up new colleague (be specific where necessary) then leave them to it and enjoy your time off

@Bluntness100

I think I’d have forwarded it to the colleague and manager and said would you like to respond and confirm or would you like me to. I’d not have done it quite like you did to be honest.

I would have done something like this, you are on annual leave and it suggests you don't trust you've provided sufficient training if you start getting too involved.

@l2b2

especially if manager and new colleague are having calls separately changing deadlines without telling me

You quite clearly state this in your initial post too, so I can't understand @Aprilx post at all; it would seem they lack reading comprehension or are taking the opportunity to have a pop at you.

This should be an internal matter, not to be aired in front of clients in that passive aggressive manager.

And are you trying to “have a pop” at me about my comprehension ability. Or is it ok for you to do that.

I handed to an internal maternity cover before I went on leave. It was apparent to everyone she wasn’t up to it long before I went but it was political.

I was very frank with my line manager and said she wasn’t up to it and to supervise her well. They ignored me. She fucked it up. But no one could blame be because I handed over thoroughly, recorded it all and told the manager.

It might take a bit of time but if you can seriously do a month’s data in a day then her taking 3 weeks is a piss take.

Make sure you document all requests with expected date to your new colleagues (so they can't say they didn't know). I wouldn't be picking up any extra work - if the new colleague doesn't get up to speed and you keep covering then management will never know there is an issue.