Excessive workload?

[Heathofhares]

I work part time. I am paid for 2.2 (if 5.0 is full time). It is spread over 3 days. It is a professional role and there is an expectation that extra work is done at home. However, this week I have worked over 30 hours and that is fairly typical.

I am new to the role and so some jobs are taking me longer than they should and in addition I am having to do everything from scratch. I should be able to reuse some of my work again in the future so from next year my workload should reduce a bit.

I have taken over a role where the previous person was employed 3.0 ( so 3 full days) and there is an expectation I should be doing everything they did. Is this a reasonable workload and I should suck it up? Or should I speak up/ vote with my feet and leave?

I think you should have a chat with your boss that the person before you did 3 days, you only do 2.2. Tell him the workload is too high for your time and ask what projects would be like you to drop?

If the previous person was employed for 3 days work and they knew the job inside out, I'm at a loss as to how they expect you to be able to provide the same amount of work in less hours considering you are new.

You need to have a word and explain that it's not possible and if they want the same output they have to maintain the previous hours across 3 days.

Don't leave yet, it could be that they're used to the hours the old person did and forget that you do less. Can you have a talk with your manager to discuss your workload and come up with a plan to sort it out?

Don’t leave it
Speak up and ask how they want you to prioritise the work as you cannot get everything done.

So many companies rely on people doing extra to mask the fact they need more staff!!

If you can, have a few days or even a couple of weeks where you keep an accurate timesheet. Be completely honest on the timesheet where you're spending your time - 30mins to arrange x, 3 hours to set up client report, 2 hours to create template for x, 1 hour recording info on new system you've never used before. When you chat to your boss, you can pinpoint where things will be quicker once you've been in the role for a while, and where timings are just not going to be realistic.

It's a bit of a PITA but it shows you're not just moaning and saying it's too much... evidence is always the best strategy IMO.

Why are you only on a 2.2 contract? Was that something you negotiated? Or did they advertise on that basis?

It’s pretty much a reduction of a third which is a big change especially if the previous person was experienced.

YANBU to not want to work twice as many hours as contracted but I’m interested why the hours are reduced.

FWIW I used to work three days but rarely did overtime. I would never have fit that into 2.2 days.

So you're paid 0.44 but you work 0.8? They're getting a good deal!

Did you cut the role's hours down from the previous person's 0.6 to 0.44 or did they? Clearly it's not possible to do the role at 0.44. Unless it's more about how you're using your time than what they expect?

Is this a teaching role where you're having to create your own resources - is that why you're having to do it all from scratch? Otherwise I don't understand why they don't already have what you need from the previous post holder.

It was advertised as .44. Of course they are trying to save money. My predecessor did 4 extra contact hours ( yes it’s teaching!) but I am expected to do everything else she did. I am being expected to generate all my own planning and resources as they don’t want me to use the old plans...