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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to formally tell HR I think new employee is too slow and potentially a liar?

276 replies

simbale · 19/04/2026 07:14

I work closely with a new employee. They joined from another company and it was known that they didn’t really have the right experience for the job, but hoping they can learn fast.

This employee is a nice person, but they are just so slow. We have tight deadlines and she never wants to tell me an exact time she will finish something if I ask “when will X be done?”. She just says “hopefully by tomorrow” rather than “by 11am tomorrow”.

Recently I had to work really late to finish a work product because my boss was chasing me for it, but the new employee had sat on it because she didn’t know how to do it and was “busy”.

I recently found out that she has been telling another manager of my level that she couldn’t take on more work for him because she is super busy with my work. She told me the exact same thing the same day, that she couldn’t take on more work for me because she was super busy with his work.

I don’t know it, but it sounds like she is playing one off against the other to avoid work. AIBU to put this in formal feedback with HR?

I obviously don’t know for sure, and she seems very eager to learn when I have time to train her.

OP posts:
OrwellianTimes · 19/04/2026 07:16

How new is she?

CheeseAndTomatoSandwichWithMayo · 19/04/2026 07:16

Have you raised this with your LM as an issue which affects your work detrimentally?

ExtraOnions · 19/04/2026 07:18

Not a HR issue. A performance issue like this should be raised to a Line Manager.

araiwa · 19/04/2026 07:19

It sounds like she is being blamed for having a shit manager

Morepositivemum · 19/04/2026 07:19

Basically she’s finding the job tough, panicking and yes lying but I feel b as for her. She’s new and you’re obviously not though so I don’t know that I’d jump to reporting her but it takes me a while to get into a role so I think this is me feeling bad for her. Can you not ask her how she thinks it’s all going, ask her to have a talk with the manager?

Original poster
simbale · 19/04/2026 07:19

She’s 3 months in.

OP posts:
jackstini · 19/04/2026 07:22

You should raise it with your line manager first, not straight to HR

How many managers does she do work for and do you have the same overall
boss? Could you have a joint meeting to agree split of work and expectations of how long tasks should take?

How long has she been doing the job?

hididdlyho · 19/04/2026 07:22

3 months is still early days for a lot of jobs I would imagine. Agree with raising it with line manager as it sounds like she needs more time and support with her training.

EmbarrassmentLovesCompany · 19/04/2026 07:43

Not an HR issue, but does need resolving.

Although, im a bit skeptical about your first point. I don't think id say '"I'll be finished by 11 tomorrow". I might say tomorrow morning, or before the meeting, but I wouldn't give a specific hour.

Freedomsjustanotherword · 19/04/2026 07:50

Are you her line manager? If so, you should be helping her to prioritise her workload. If something is urgent, you need to ensure that she knows this and doesn't sit on it.

Original poster
simbale · 19/04/2026 07:55

I have told her several times that she needs to be faster. She needs to aim to respond to my emails she gets within one hour, for example.

OP posts:
CoastalCalm · 19/04/2026 07:55

Are you approachable ? Does she feel able to say she’s struggling and needs extra training or help with time management ?

I really stress with all my staff that I’d rather they asked questions etc than sit and feel overwhelmed as I’ve been there and it is not a nice position to be in and can start a downward spiral in confidence.

tnorfotkcab · 19/04/2026 07:57

simbale · 19/04/2026 07:55

I have told her several times that she needs to be faster. She needs to aim to respond to my emails she gets within one hour, for example.

Is that company policy, that colleagues reply within one hour if each other??

HotGazpacho · 19/04/2026 07:57

I’m struck by your comment “when I have time to train her”. Who has been responsible for her training previously?

elessar · 19/04/2026 07:57

What is your relation to her and who is her line manager? That’s the person to share your concerns with and the person who should be addressing this with her.

InfoSecInTheCity · 19/04/2026 07:58

She has a line manager and so do you, the correct process would be to give feedback about her performance to her line manager so it can be addressed and to raise your concerns about how this affects your ability to perform to your line manager.

it should be grounded in fact though, specific examples, what did happen, what should have happened, what was the impact and how improvement can be made.

InfoSecInTheCity · 19/04/2026 08:01

simbale · 19/04/2026 07:55

I have told her several times that she needs to be faster. She needs to aim to respond to my emails she gets within one hour, for example.

Unless this is established a a behavioural norm or SLA in your workplace you can’t expect this. I don’t respond even close to that quickly unless it’s an actual urgent issue. I also don’t necessarily reply at all, if I’m just Cc’d in for example they go straight to a folder that I look at as and when I have time.

Bearbookagainandagain · 19/04/2026 08:05

By all means reach out to her line manager, but jumping straight to HR is out of place. HR isn't here to manage performance issues instead of the manager.

I would keep the feedback factual (communication issues, slow pace, capacity issue...). Implying that she is lying is OTT.

As a manager, I find you quite harsh for a new employee of 3 months that required upskilling. It doesn't sound like she is getting much support or help if she is getting tasks assigned that she was not trained on.
I agree with others that a 1h turnaround for emails is massively unreasonable unless standard across the company.

DeftGoldHedgehog · 19/04/2026 08:06

InfoSecInTheCity · 19/04/2026 08:01

Unless this is established a a behavioural norm or SLA in your workplace you can’t expect this. I don’t respond even close to that quickly unless it’s an actual urgent issue. I also don’t necessarily reply at all, if I’m just Cc’d in for example they go straight to a folder that I look at as and when I have time.

Show quote history

This. I turn emails off and only check them twice a day when I'm doing focused work, they are a distraction.

mumonthehill · 19/04/2026 08:08

Replying to a managers email within an hour is a very tough target and difficult to do if busy with other things. This is a training issue and if you are her line manager this is on you to do. If this is a fast paced environment that is new to her then training on how to do the job and perhaps time management will be vital. If I had a manager that told me I had to respond to all their emails within an hour I would be looking for a new job especially if I was new in post. Perhaps spend some time with her to understand what she is struggling with, understand how she works, help her understand how you work and then see.

tnorfotkcab · 19/04/2026 08:11

Going to HR is ridiculous for this. Surely there's a line management structure in place?

InMyOpenOnion · 19/04/2026 08:11

I am not clear on the dynamics here. Are you more senior than her, work with her but are not her manager? Have expectations been made clear? What role is she doing that you expect her to respond within the hour? It sounds like poor communication mainly

ColdAsAWitches · 19/04/2026 08:13

If you're a manager, you should know that you don't go straight to HR. The first stop is her manager.

DisforDarkChocolate · 19/04/2026 08:16

You sound very unapproachable, resistant to acknowledging her training needs and far too exacting. Wanting a reply to your emails within an hour is just guaranteed to reduce performance.

MissCooCooMcgoo · 19/04/2026 08:17

You sound very unreasonable op. Where do you work so I can avoid making and application please?

Please remember, unless your a brain surgeon or something, everything can wait. No email is so urgent it needs a within the hour response.