To say no

[atbreakingpointwork]

At work this morning I was told that I need to take on another piece of complex monthly work that I have no experience in.

My manager (who came in 2023 and would not realise what this entails) said I need to arrange a handover on it today because the person handing it over is leaving tomorrow. There is supposed to be a 2 month process for handing over this task due to the complexity. I said no, I have no experience in this and am not taking it on.

I was then told someone on my team will have to take it. We have 3 staff at the minute where we should have seven because attrition in the department is so bad. I told her I don't have anyone so she has asked me to tell the heavily pregnant person in my team that she has to do it. I don't want to put this stress on her and think it's such an unreasonable ask and illogical since why hand over to someone who will be on maternity in a few months.

Wibu to tell manager I don't agree with this and I am not passing on the message at this late notice with insufficient handover?

This is the last straw for me with this job. Its been an awful morning and I can't put up with the unreasonable requests any more. Staff are treated terribly and I don't want to do the same to those that are left.

I'd start looking at other jobs. Join the rats and leave the ship to sink

If your objection is that it’s a complex task
requiring a three month handover then stick to this. The pregnancy is not relevant.

I think you're brave for saying no. Good on you. And it definitely shouldn't be handed over to your staff member either.

Your LM (or whoever else delegated to her) should have planned properly. Let them work it out.

It’s a little relevant if they go on leave in 2 months! But it’s not the point- the point is you say no. Or you say it’s a 2 month hand over and you say we have one day? Sure if you have filled the 4 open spots in the team. If not, no.

Hi @atbreakingpointwork if nobody in your team has time to do the extra task I’d be asking which existing work is to be stopped so this new thing can be picked up. I’d also be asking why something that needs a 3 month handover is being dumped on you with 1 day to
handover (assuming you/your team could stop everything else with no notice).

You are not responsible for someone else’s lack of planning/foresight. I would be asking for a meeting with all management and saying something like ‘would help if we could but simply no capacity and passing it to someone soon on Mat L is just kicking the can down the road a bit and won’t resolve the issue’.

Suggest the manager does it until they find a better solution. No further discussion. I'd step right away from that and not touch it or go anywhere near it. Managers problem to solve.