Work Issues - WWYD?

[kcchiefette]

I have worked in a smallish business for just over a year now as an account manager.

Upon starting, I was supposed to be trained and reporting into a Head of Department who could help to guide me as it was the first time I was doing this role although I had relevant experience in all areas at some point in the past.

As I was reporting into a senior, I was told I was only to concentrate on certain activities and avoid any legal documents, pricings for new customers etc.

My senior then left the company. I had around 2 weeks from my start date with them to learn the basics. That senior position has not been filled since and I now report directly to the CEO. I don't have anybody else in my dept.

When senior left, I had started to be given contractual work which I had to learn on the job and by experience. As its a small company, getting this experience is slow depending on what comes up.

I recently had to do a project which I have had no previous experience in. I looped in CEO and relevant people to help and assist. The CEO was out of office during most of this time, but as it was a time restricted project, I had to crack on with it.

I had to depend that what others were providing me was accurate, but apparently these were not.

We had a final review and the CEO was not happy. I had a call with him yesterday where he dialled in HR and said that he as not impressed with how I handled the said project. Ive reminded him that this was the first time in dealing with said project and I had little guidance or training for this so I went in essentially blind, but after going through this, I now know what to expect for future projects.

I hadn't been given any warnings or anything official but it has rattled me somewhat.

Nobody else in the company has experience in contracts or the legal work except the CEO. He is unable to provide me with solid training because he is so busy and also this applies when I ask for support or advice.

He will generally tell me to "have a go myself" and when I have a go, he will pick this apart and essentially Redo it. I have asked for guidance documents, checklists etc to be compiled but this hasnt happened.

WWYD?

I am tempted to either look for another job or essentially tell boss that I can no longer deal with contracts/legal work etc until I have received adequate training on them.

Whats the plan to replace the senior role you were reporting into ?
I don't think you can expect a CEO to be writing check lists, training, guidelines etc. So basically you need to be clear that this stuff is beyond your capability/experience at this time. You will then be faced with either waiting for someone to be appointed into the senior role or you can leave and find an job that's more appropriate. Small companies often don't have the training and infrastructure that you may want so it may be mot a great fit for you

There is no plan to replace her.

Essentially she was a head of department and I am doing all the tasks she had now rather than what I was initially told.

There is a "senior account manager" in my company who has since been shifted elsewhere. I have asked for help from him also but he has never been asked to do this type of work.

It makes me question why they are asking me as a junior to do it when a senior hasn't completed anything like it before.

I was open about what skills I lacked when I started and was told that dont worry - we will provide the training.

The roles of everyone in the business seems blurred. I dont particularly want to report to the CEO but that his his ask and he will be the one initiating calls and meetings with me, not the other way around.

It is confusing as he will say one day that he doesnt want involvement, and I will crack on with my work. The next day, he's asking about said work and becoming increasingly involved in it.

If it were me, I would put it in print in case you need it again.

Dear John,

Since X left, I have been tasked with completing X,Y and Z in addition to my precious workload.

While I am delighted to get the opportunity, I must flag sone concerns and seek you advice on how to overcome these matters.

1. My l
3. ack of experience on similar tasks
4. The unavailability of others, with the required experience,to earn from
5. No training to allow me to develop these skills

I understand you were disappointed with my first attempt and I am keen to avoid repeating this on my next attempt.

Can we have a meeting to discuss a aay forward as I'm sure you join me in my wish to improve the process?

Thst way, if it turns ugly you have evidence that you communicate all of your concerns, that it was something you aren't family with,that you had flaged concerns and sought help. Print a copy of the email for your own safekeeping in case you need it re unfair dismissal or disciplinary at any stage.

Thanks for that

Ive already created templates and checklists which I have sent for approval (with HR copied) and highlighted in said email about lack of training, learning as I go and that I am happy to do it with correct support in place and that we need more collaboration on what is expected

I didnt receive a response yet but I have learned from previous jobs to make sure everything is written and not just verbal.

He did emphasise "its not a big deal", "lets draw a line under it" etc when I highlighted my concerns on the call

Overall, I think I’d be inclined to start looking elsewhere. It sounds like the job hasn’t worked out as expected, which happens, and it might be time to put this one down to experience.

Are you being paid more now that you’ve been given all the work of a senior, just without the title?

Start looking for a new job.

No, not getting paid any additional.

Our appraisals are happening the next month or two so I can see if they will provide a raise then, although after that conversation I would be likely to say I wouldnt.

However, I will be highlighting that these are "senior" duties not in my job role so it would be unfair to base an appraisal on that as such.

Apart from the additional contractual stuff, the job is as expected and I enjoy doing it.

Is there any opportunity for them to pay for external training with a professional organisation ? Any qualification they can provide you with the opportunity to obtain? If they are willing to acknowledge that you are keen to develop these skills and that they aren't providing the promised opportunities then HR should be willing to help you as it seems that they are essential to the company and they now have no one who can do it.

I have also offered external training but they havent responded back either.

I provided links etc to bodies that could provide this as well

I think you should highlight this again. Stress that the company doesn't have anyone qualified/able to do this work and you are happy to take on the training, but without it you cannot take responsibility for that aspect of the work.

Yep, the previous person had a law degree and had worked in the field for 10+ years (also had director status within the company)

CEO has law degree so is responsible for all the contracts and legal documentation.

I am happy to amend and complete as its standard template work, but some of this isnt "common sense", its either from experience of doing, or having trained on it.

In a larger company its easier to get experience as they'll be coming in more often, but when legal meetings, projects happen say once a year, I havent had an opportunity to learn from one yet.

Its definitely something to bring up at the appraisal and see what way to go forward with it as I dont want more grief and possible disciplinary/performance issues on things I cant particularly control.

Good luck with the appraisal as it sounds like if you could sort this you would be happy there.

The rest of the job is great!

I enjoy my colleagues, its flexible work so I can WFH and pop away to get DS etc, I enjoy working with existing clients and have a great rapport with most of them.

If I can get this aspect sorted, it would be a lot better.

In previous years they have had specific teams for sales, account management etc with team of up to 4-5 people but now the sales, contracts plus the existing client relationships is on one person.

It has been a lot to take in when you've been put into a new industry and trying to juggle so many different aspects.