Changed job, keep being asked to do things related to my old job

[PakkaMakka]

I went for and got an internal job. Same general department but very different role, different job title, different management chain etc. My previous role was one where recruitment is a (national) issue and we had some people unexpectedly leave, so before I went my manager and their seniors were trying to negotiate me taking certain pieces of work with me because they hadn't manage to fill my post. I had to put my foot down not to, and tbh I think the only reason it was accepted was due to a combination of me taking annual leave and having some external training days in my induction which meant I physically wasn't there to do what would be needed.

I'm two weeks into my new job and my old manager keeps emailing me and copying in my new manager with requests for me to do things relating to my old job, eg to take part in meetings so I can be there to explain projects etc.

My previous job is one where working unpaid overtime isn't unusual, and before I finished I worked excessive hours for weeks, so that I could tie up as many loose ends as possible and provide very detailed handovers. I know (from seeing other staff coming and going) that I went further than most in doing so. I feel a bit of a victim of my own success, if I'd done a worse job they wouldn't be asking!

The requests are coming due to a combination of my job not being filled and work I had been in charge of being handed over to staff who don't really have the time, so it's an easier thing for the manager just to think 'oh we'll get pakka on it as they know it so well' and other (senior) people agreeing because with my knowledge, I'm the 'best person for it'. There is a degree of risk/impact to the public if things aren't done properly.

The AIBU part is that my new job can allow me the time to do it, because the new job is a slower pace (currently, will ramp up) and my new boss is accommodating. So in theory I'm in the same company, we're all ultimately working to the same goal, and they can allow me the time without feeling too pressured. However, mentally I wanted to make a clean break and I'm feeling resentful that these requests are coming. I left my job for a reason. The requests are worded in a way that I don't get the impression I can say no (Hi X we need Pakka to do Y, I can see they're free on that date...) . Also I feel like the slower pace of new job should be for me to enjoy when I start, not to be filled in to help out my old team.

I can't decide whether I should suck it up for the sake of professionalism/workplace relationships, or whether I should push back on it, or if this risks sounding petty.

AIBU to be annoyed and consider pushing back against this?

I would tell a white lie. Say sorry but you are getting to grips with the skills needed for your new role and it requires your total focus. They will need to hand over the existing work to whoever replaces you.

YANBU. They're trying to get you to do two jobs for the price of one. Why should they prioritise getting a replacement for you if they can just ask you to do it?

YANBU. There’s a big difference between being asked for input/advice, which I think is fine and makes sense (i.e. let’s get Pakka’s opinion on this because she worked on it for years and would have good insight, but then someone else actually takes the work on), vs you continuing to work on projects directly as if they were your responsibility. The latter is not ok- and it sounds like that what’s being asked of you?

And I know exactly what you mean about a slower pace to start with- you NEED that in a new job to get your head round things, who does what, what the new processes are etc. It doesn’t mean you’re sat there doing nothing, it’s just when the pace ramps up- you need to know all that foundation stuff or it will slow you down when you need to be able to react quickly to things!

What is your new manager like? I would speak to them and say you’re happy to give advice to your old team, but devoting an afternoon to one of their projects is affecting your ability to concentrate on your current job. Perhaps they could respond to those emails from your old boss to say ‘OP can provide advice if needed but she’s being briefed on new projects at the moment and I need her to concentrate on those, so she isn’t available to take on her old work load’

Good luck OP!

If you did thorough handovers, just bounce it back to them “this is no longer within my remit, I handed over this part of my former role to Susan, I am sure she will be happy to assist’.

Most jobs have a “and other tasks as the business requires” built in to the contract and JD. Be careful that the business doesn’t decide that these other tasks are essential and urgent and you are best placed to fill them until they can properly resource the department.
the “it’s not my job” mentality rarely goes over well.

Perhaps you should explain to your new boss and HR that you recognised that you had to leave the old job for the sake of your health, and that you are concerned that the old stresses are now following you, and you don't want your new job to be affected by the stress and uncertainty of these requests from your old role.

In mine line of work its really common for internal candidates to bring up to 50% of their old job role with them and in one case 100%- the worker was literally sat in our office, paid out of our budget but doing the other teams job. Its infuriating! We get away with it because our wok is a statutory duty but its dreadful for the receiving team and for the employee. I think it depends on the culture of your organisation. I hate taking on internal candidates because it can be 6-9 months before they fully drop the old job.

Can you do an idiots guide step by step on certain things you’re being asked about?

I think a conversation with your new manager is in order with clear parameters about what can be reasonably expected and a conversation about how this impacts your outputs in the new role.

I think its reasonable to say you are happy to support 'knowledge transfer' for a limited time but this shouldn't involve delivering work from your previous role. Also, how it plays out depends how big your company, how good your manager is and how much risk is involved for the business not having someone in your old role.

You are utterly being taken advantage of and have every reason to be pissed off.

You need to articulate that to your boss, particularly as you left the last position because of possible burn out.

Would they care if you left?

Because you would be well advised to start looking externally if they are going to continue to exploit in this way.

I'd just keep asking if there was any plans for someone else to do the work and what stage it was at. They'll get the message in a polite way.

Yes totally agree, I think you being called into meetings to offer advice is fine during this transition period but you shouldn’t be literally doing the work yourself.

You need to tread delicately. The first thing is to express to your new manager that coming up to speed on your new job is your top priority. Maybe take more shadowing and training opportunities?

The second is to legitimise your planning, thinking and otherwise private working time. As PPs have said, formally diarise it. Just an entry for eg 3 - 4.30 pm ‘Smith project: analyse metric data’ or whatever. If your old manager tries to encroach on this time, present it to your new manager as an attempt to take time from your current job.

It would be a good idea to keep track of each and every thing you do for your old team, because it sounds like it is adding up to rather a lot. I think this might be a good time to cultivate some outside interests making you genuinely less available to your old team for unpaid overtime. Any overtime now should have the side effect of benefitting your career and it doesn’t sound like working for the old team, who are taking advantage of you, will

But I think you run the risk of being seen as the problem if you do too much overt complaining. Of course part of this is sexist. If your main concern is to get ahead I do think the less direct approaches will get you further. Sadly

1. I wouldn't complain - I would simply block out my diary for 'strategy' from 9-5 so there was no time available

Or

1. If I was feeling generous or wanted to compromise in some way if it would benefit me I would put 2-3pm in my diary for 'old work' and tell old work that any tasks have to be done in that time - and I'd constantly list all 'old work' completed in that hour in an email to my new boss and old boss

I would then say after 1st June I will not be available to do 'old work' as I wish to fully focus on new job

YANBU. Old job team / manager are taking the piss. You don’t work with or for them anymore. Your new manager needs to push back. Im confused about why people on here are insinuating you’re shirking, you are getting your head around the new job and learning. That takes time including reviewing, checking and considering things. It’s hardly as if you’re painting your nails and on Facebook!

The previous manager is unlikely to check or care about your diary. The best way I reckon would be to communicate what work you have got and what you can do / prepared to do from both and ask your manager what they want you to do and they can feed back / push back on the old work. Best to engage.

Except op specifically said that old manager messages new manager saying "we need OP to do x I can see she's free on that day." So how would old manager know if she's free without looking at her calendar?

Just in case you're confused I, and I assume other pps mean a shareable online calendar like outlook/teams etc whereby staff can see other people's availability, not an a4 desk diary!

@latetothefisting (amazing username btw!!) Yes that's correct, shared online calendars, hence old boss seeing that I'm 'free' ie because I don't have back to back meetings.

I'd never have an issue with knowledge sharing, and I did the detailed handover for that reason. It's the picking up tasks because noone else is doing them that I don't want to be drawn into.

I do have some sympathy for my old boss, it's not that they're not trying to recruit but my area was quite specialist and they struggle to - it isn't unusual to go through all the hassle of recruiting someone to then find out the week they were due to start that they're not coming because they've been offered more money to stay where they are, for example. I know that my boss' boss is worried about the gap and wants me involved because it reassures those above as I was known to be reliable.

Also in my new job a lot more of it has to be driven by me. My old job has lots of day to day tasks that have to be done, and are very noticeable if not. Whereas my new job requires me to grow and improve projects. So it means no one will be on my back telling me off, but I won't be fulfilling the role properly if I don't use my time to focus on new job. It's the equivalent of going from say, a clinical role to a strategic role.

I am on less pay in the new job, same level but there was a temporary pay increase for the old job to try and help with the recruitment shortages, so there is that too!

Are you working for the nhs?

This shit is rife where I work.

Yanbu.

Can you not express " surprise" that this is needed from you considering it was comprehensively dealt with in your handover??

Lol my bad.

id politely outline your boundaries.

hi - thanks for the request for my assistance in my old role, I’m currently trying to settle into my current role and am engaging in the multiple/x projects that need my attention so won’t be able to commit to assisting anymore in my old role.

in my handover phase I wrote up sufficient notes for other members of staff to cover these roles and im sure the team as a whole will be able to step up and improve their understanding of all the moving parts and actions that need undertaking.

just a reminder that I took on this role as I wished to move into this area of work, working pace and environment and do not feel it beneficial to my working environment to continuously have requests to undertake work that is no longer my role.

• the final paragraph might be more for a final pushback or for explaining to your current manager?