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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Training cover — ahead of mat leave STRANGE REQUEST.

68 replies

Rosefer · 09/08/2021 08:11

I will be on mat leave in the new year, my cover is currently shadowing and has asked to record me. We work remote, and shadowing is normal in the role.
I politely explained I don’t feel comfortable being recorded. She insisted she needs to learn like this and taking notes isn't enough.
She went on to state she wants to learn; the issue is the willingness of whoever wants to teach her.

I am putting in time to assist her and provide her exposure to all aspects of the job. Feeling a little sad and confused about this situation. :(

OP posts:
xksismybestletter · 09/08/2021 08:13

I'd be fine with this, although I might wonder how competent she was going to be.

I don't get why you are sad?

applepineapple · 09/08/2021 08:14

What sort of job is it? Have you raised it with your manager at all?

NoSquirrels · 09/08/2021 08:15

So you’re not in the office together? Working remotely does make things more stressful. But recording all your interactions sounds very odd.

Perhaps there’s a compromise? She records a session per week where she asks for particular clarification on issues that she feels she needs more instructions or information? Then you can feel mentally prepared for being recorded only then.

FelicityPike · 09/08/2021 08:16

People learn differently. Some learn by note taking, others by observing & watching, others by listening.
She’s telling you what kind of learner she is, I think you need to come and go a bit especially with being remote working.

Missingtheedge · 09/08/2021 08:16

I wouldn’t be overly comfortable with this either, unless perhaps it was just my voice she was recording.

Is there a possibility that she has dyslexia etc and may find it difficult to write and read back her own notes?

No need to be sad about it. I’ve trained many people and all had different learning styles/aptitudes/attitudes. Management need to deal with the person they employed if they aren’t up to learning the job, not you.

PuppyMonkey · 09/08/2021 08:17

What type of work do you do? Confused

TopBlogger · 09/08/2021 08:19

Sounds like she is already getting ready to blame you if something goes wrong, you weren't "willing" enough to help her rather than her not understanding her role.

Yanbu to not want to be filmed, it's your right to chose.

What do you mean by being sad though?

Potatoy · 09/08/2021 08:22

She went on to state she wants to learn; the issue is the willingness of whoever wants to teach her. this sounds like she's trying to set it up so she can blame you if she's crap at the job. Can you ask your manager what they expect of you?

Todaytomorrowyesterday · 09/08/2021 08:24

I have something similar- what I have found works is being in control of the record button on teams - no video of me just screen sharing showing steps & my voice , when I start to explain how to do something I hit record and then turn it off after any questions.

I hate it! Completely out of my comfort zone! But understand if in the office they would shadow me a lot more and probably see me do it more often! So it at least means if they forget they have an easy way if remembering!!

TheCraicDealer · 09/08/2021 08:27

So does she wants to record a full day's work? That's weird. How is she going to find the answer to a quick query in 7 or 8 hours worth of video?

I'd record me performing certain tasks like opening new cases, adding notes to the system, etc. and send her the files, but say no to just having the session set permanently to record.

FourEyesGood · 09/08/2021 08:30

I really don’t think asking to record you working through the processes is a strange request. It means she can go back over things that have already been covered and know what to do without having to bother you with questions. I get that being recorded makes you uncomfortable, but PPs have suggested ways of making it less awkward. I hate being recorded too, but it’s part of my job now with remote working, and I reluctantly accept it.

Original poster
Rosefer · 09/08/2021 08:34

Thanks all, I feel sad as I have been putting effort in.
I will raise with my manager and see the expectations.

OP posts:
Valeriekat · 09/08/2021 14:09

Of course it is a strange request! She sounds too lazy or disorganized to take decent notes and she is making it your problem.
Does she want video or just audio. Make sure she isn't doing it without your permission.

NoSquirrels · 09/08/2021 14:21

It depends what she wants to record, really. Honestly, a video of someone working through a system is super helpful for everyone - much better than written notes. It’s why YouTube is great Grin

But recording every session your colleague does anything at all would be really odd.

Planty13 · 09/08/2021 14:23

What kind of recording? Recording phone calls of training sessions I’d be fine with as I would forget it’s even happening. Any type of video recording I’d be uncomfortable with

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 09/08/2021 14:25

Record you doing what exactly? I feel like this context matters

QueenBee52 · 09/08/2021 14:48

@TopBlogger

Sounds like she is already getting ready to blame you if something goes wrong, you weren't "willing" enough to help her rather than her not understanding her role.

Yanbu to not want to be filmed, it's your right to chose.

What do you mean by being sad though?

I agree

QueenBee52 · 09/08/2021 14:49

@Potatoy

She went on to state she wants to learn; the issue is the willingness of whoever wants to teach her. this sounds like she's trying to set it up so she can blame you if she's crap at the job. Can you ask your manager what they expect of you?

yip 🌸

KrisAkabusi · 09/08/2021 15:07

I'm not reading it that she wants to record you 8 hours a day, but I don't see anything wrong with her wanting to record procedures. It would cut down on potential errors. Someone mentioned YouTube above as a great example of how video walkthroughs can be more helpful than notes.

And even after your explanation, I still don't see why you feel sad.

Jobsharenightmare · 09/08/2021 15:37

Does she want to record you with video so she can literally see what buttons to click? Sounds like she should not have taken the job if she can't learn remotely!

Original poster
Rosefer · 09/08/2021 16:45

Perhaps sad was the wrong word, a little disheartened that the time I have spent allowing her to shadow, providing debriefs is unappreciated.

OP posts:
SchrodingersImmigrant · 09/08/2021 16:53

I learn better through visual and audio and I would never in my dreams try to force someone to agree to being recorded!
A no is a no in this case.

Good you will raise it with manager

StoneofDestiny · 09/08/2021 16:57

Can't imagine what you do that requires her to record you. I get your concern.

Hankunamatata · 09/08/2021 17:30

So she is watching you on webcam shadowing?

Dont thinks entirely unreasonable for her to record specific processes if you sharing your screen with her

lap90 · 09/08/2021 17:35

It doesn't sound all that strange at all, actually.