A Manager wants to speak to me in the morning, do I admit to struggling or blag it?

[GetYourFingersOutOfThere]

I'm part time in a role that has increased in work load significantly this year.

I have taken on a lot of extra work which has challenged me to breaking limits although I still very much enjoy going to work.

Due to redundancy within management I have taken on even more responsibility and have openly admitted to my director that I don't have time to do what I was initially hired to do although I didn't go into specifics he was happy for me to continue concentrating on the managerial side instead of the non time restricting admin side.

I've dropped a ball, not massively ie financially but it's still a dropped ball and is/will cause others to have to change their plans etc. The manager of the team I dropped the ball for (I'm not answerable to them at all but very much respect them and want them to trust and be confident in me) wants to speak to me about.

From a professional point of view do I tell her I made a mistake and let her know how I plan for it not to happen again (stop doing everyone else's job and just concentrate on mine although I can't do that for another two months) or admit I'm under pressure with too much to do and hope she is understanding?

I can't work full time and tbh if I was doing what I was employed to do alone my role wouldn't warrant full time it's just at this time with the extra support I need to give to others it's making it all very full on.

I think I'd say I was struggling with the workload and discuss what needs to be prioritised, what can be handed over to others (if there's anyone), what can be dropped. I'd also make sure I had some idea of which areas I want to focus on, and what's in it for them for me to do that.

But first, if you're not sure why they want to see you, I'd wait to see what they say. No point dropping yourself in it at all if it's about something entirely different.

Thank you Ebear, I'm confident that this is top of her morning to do list, as it would be mine if I were her.

Currently I have passed the blame to an outer agency but I feel bad for lying (she could find me out in seconds) and I don't want to lose her trust. I'm going to have to admit I've got too much on aren't I? I really wish I could do more hours during this change over but it's not possible (childcare and school holidays approaching)

I think I would be honest and try to reassure her you will do your best to not let it happen again.

I do think it is worth outlining the context of your workload so she aware.

Is it not worth revisiting the workload issue with your Director? 2 months before things get better is a long time.

As an outsider it does sound like you have been very accomodating in taking on extra work but are they asking too much of you? Whilst you try to cope with it all there is no reason for them to try to resource things adequately etc.

Good luck tomorrow. As Ebear says let her go first....she might want to talk about something else.

Unfortunatly it's just me at this time, great for me because I'm learning lots in a new area but doesn't help this sort of thing happening.

I'm really lucky that the managers I support (don't report to) are all really professional and a pleasure to work with when they are on site but I'm a worrier by nature and because I know I'm slacking in my own areas I feel bad even though I've made other areas shine since the redundancy.

Thank you for letting me get it off my chest and I will listen and then be honest, it's not long term and I can recover my mistake, this time ad also have a little time to show them how well the team (s) are doing whilst I'm covering.

How did it go OP?