To Follow Last Orders (Work Related!)

[Tickytocky]

Been in current role 8 years covering several departments at once.
Job requires flexibility which I have accommodated. No complaints from anyone, including me, all good.

Recently my Line Manager (over only 1 if these departments) has greatly reduced my ability to accommodate the flexible business needs (as I see them, which I voiced concerns over), but ultimately this was all ‘agreed’ and put in writing with HR (so official).

Now I’m having lots of requests to break these new instructions from the other departments. It’s really difficult for me to say no as I’ve worked with them a long time, and I want to do a good job, but it will mean going against the newest instructions, unless I essentially do it in my own time.

Any advice greatly welcomed ☹️

YABU - Just do what all depts ask
YANBU - Just follow the last instructions from Line Manger/HR

do what your manager says

I'd direct every single requestee to your new Line Manage. As in "I'd be happy to do that, but can you just confirm with X when they would like me to do the work".

Do what the manager has said, but make it very clear to the other departments - in writing - that this is what you have been instructed to do.

Your manager has prioritised your work load and the business needs, it is not your decision.

Tell the other departments it is not your role anymore and they need to go through their/your line manager. Once you have said it a few times they’ll get the gist, it is always difficult to adjust when there has been a change of role, but you need to support the new ways of working.

Yes create a personalised email signature if you use outlook or similar and just click on it every time you get one of these requests (saves you typing it out over and over)
And it can just say something like
My job role has recently been changed and I am required to spend more time on (sales/accounts/ whatever) and I am unfortunately unable to continue to work as flexibly as I used to so I am unable to assist with this query.
Do not start working over your hours. That’ll never end. People will either understand or push back but you can’t control that and if they do push back theyre not worth working over your hours for anyway.

If you don't have capacity to step "out of your lane" then you cannot take on the tasks. You don't need to people-please here, if it's not your department and you've been told its not your problem, it's not your problem. If you have capacity to take on the tasks, but it is against the instructions of your manager, they need to speak to your manager not to you.

This

Send them all via your manager.

Hi x, thanks for your email, id be happy to accommodate your request, however any additional work outside of my standard time needs approval from my manager x, please can you email her and come back to me once you've got approval.
Thanks
Y

some great answers here, very professional too, thanks ☺️