Being told to do the workload of two full time people

[babycham75]

Today I've been informed, after loads of misinformation and concern, that for the next two weeks I have to cover two full-time jobs.
Both jobs demand 100% attention to detail and need constant updating and monitoring
Purely because someone is on holiday for two weeks.
I'm upset, worried and angry. I'll make mistakes, be frantic,
The pressure will be immense but my line manager has asked me to "give it a try".
I swear they think that I'm shuffling papers and looking at my nails all day. Any advice would be appreciated

It's hard to offer suggestions without knowing more details. What kind of work is it?

It's work involving health and government targets

Have faith in yourself, you might enjoy it, there is only so much you can do, what sort of work is it. You will need to prioritise the work, has the other person left any notes, handed outstanding work over. Your boss should also chip in but don't panic, you'll be fine.

Is it inputting a lot of data, what government

"Of course I'll be trying my best but as my normal job role takes up 100% of my time, covering the other job will require some items to not be done this week in both roles. What should I prioritise in these two job roles?"

Are you sure you’re expected to literally work the same as the person going on leave? In lots of jobs covering someone’s holiday involves dealing with anything which cannot possible wait for the person to get back, urgent queries and the like, rather than literally doing the whole job. What normally happens at your work when you or colleagues go on holiday?

The job has to be covered. It can't be left, it involves consultants referrals for essential treatment. Needs constant monitoring

It's typical - it's always the same. Piling pressure on someone else.

I've had to do this 2 for 1 cover and found it awful. Honestly my advice is bring painkillers to work, take it easy in the evening and count down the days.

As your line manager has said you should “give it a try” I’d let them kniw that you’re planning to send them daily status updates on what is outstanding and ask them to prioritise if that becomes necessary.

I’d also document your concerns via email about accuracy, because sure as anything if something isn’t done correctly no one is going to remember or appreciate that you were being expected to carry out two roles.

Give it a try as asked. Send daily status updates. If you can’t prioritise by urgency as it’s all important then take a first come first served approach, be methodical and do it to your usual standard without cutting corners (and risking mistakes). If things fall behind then so be it, you’ve told them you don’t have the capacity so if that happens it will be up to your manager(s) to also pitch in. Try not to stress about it. I’ve been there and once spent a month doing 3 people’s jobs due to a gap in maternity leave cover and holidays. It’s shit but you’re one person and you can only do so much.

So what do they normally do, get a temp in? Who were they expecting to cover this leave, given that you've just been told now, has something fallen through?

All you can do is try, and make sure your manager is kept informed of things which you are unable to do/asked what you should prioritise. If you can't do it you can't do it, but key is making sure your manager is fully aware.

You are overreacting- it is only for 2 weeks not forever.

I know people in the public sector that have done this for years because of staff cut backs.

My sister did this for 9 months. I do this every time my manager has a day off (5 weeks a year).

I just prioritise and list what hasn’t been done for my manager on return.

I didn’t moan about it because how else will people get time off? It doesn’t make sense to provide external cover for a 2 week absence as training them probably takes that long. If you can do the job it makes sense to ask you.

Don’t get stressed about something that others are unwilling to provide external cover for. Do what you can. If mistakes happen then they happen

I would record everything by email. Confirm what your boss has asked you to do and your strategy of how to manage it. Then
I would email any outstanding work on a daily or alternate daily basis. If you are brave enough cc in their boss or union (?).

Just because it is becoming more common for people to do two people's jobs doesn't mean it is right. And as a pp pointed out, you'll get the blame if something goes wrong.

The UK seems to have sleepwalked into a highly exploitative attitude towards workers lower down the chain. More work, less pay and be grateful - seems to be the order of the day.

Also no one cuts you any slack even when they know you have been left in the shit. It can be really, really stressful. I have a colleague who does a long holiday every year, I get anxious as fuck anticipating it.

You are overreacting- it is only for 2 weeks not forever

Harsh. Effectively they are asking the OP to do 14 hour days for 2 weeks. That is not acceptable.

I would be constantly checking with my line manager about what they want me to prioritise, especially every time you get a new task / email.

So, "Today I had scheduled time to complete X, Y and Z [your on job] which I know will take 3-4 hours. Mr A has just asked me for blah-blah. He thinks it takes Mary about half a day, but says he needs the report before the end of the day if possible, and I need to work out what's involved first. I'd appreciate your advice on priorities."

This'll be the NHS then? Be aware that if you manage to do it, someone will decide they don't need two people after all and you will end up doing two peoples work permanently. It happened to me and it was shit