What should I expect from my line manager?

[JanePurdy]

I started a job recently & am having some issues, mainly around having work to do! It's a new role & my manager himself is in a new role, so I have no doubt that plays into it, but basically he seems to think he can just leave me to it & my work is not within his remit. There are no clear duties or responsibilities to my role & as he doesn't task me I am left with nothing.

That's not right, is it? I am doubting myself about whether I am not being proactive enough in being able to create my own work plan. I haven't experienced working like this before & wanted to check what others thought could be expected from a line manager.

I would expect a set of job objectives which set out what you're meant to be doing. They should be SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound).

Have you spoken to your boss and explained how you're feeling?

Is it public sector?

I spoke to my manager a bit ago & he recognised the issue but nothing changed... I have had work to do that someone else gave me but that's finished now so I am under occupied again. I'm planning to ask him for another meeting but he is on annual leave next week. It's very de motivating having nothing to do!

It is public sector.

What job is it and how senior are you? I think that makes a big difference.