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How to cope with 'headless chicken' manager and chaotic new job.

2 replies

Metabigot · 28/07/2021 14:23

Just started working on a project as an interim, the project manager is also an interim. To say chaos reigns would be an understatement!

Project manager doesn't seem to know what he's doing and is well behind on timescales. He keeps emailing very vague instructions then when I phone for clarity he is snappy saying 'don't have the bandwidth' etc then when I inevitably make a mistake he's challenging this and asking why I've done it this way or that way.

Then he sent me some work to complete and after I'd sent it back asked me where file xyz are - he never sent those over in the first place!

He's ok when he's not stressed but seems to be completely losing it at the moment (big moment in the project) and I just feel like a bumbling fool quite honestly. It doesn't help that we're both interims and the established senior staff in the department are not being particularly helpful given that there's a lot of internal info we both don't know.

I know he's stressed but I've really tried to be as accomodating as I can be saying I'll start early / late (all unpaid) and asking what I can do to help.

The other person at my level has already walked out due to the chaos so now its even worse.

I feel like I can't do right for doing wrong. What's the best way to play it? this is my first job after being made redundant and I don't want to get fired.

To make things worse I have ADHD and have asked for adjustments such as clear written instructions etc which were agreed with HR when I joined but now completely ignored, I don't want to make a fuss or play the 'disability card' but it's like I needn't have bothered to actually ask for them.

OP posts:
stillcrazyafterall · 28/07/2021 14:31

You need to cover your back here. Get everything down by email, and keep them. Contact HR again (by email) explaining you are struggling- they can't fire you for them not doing what was agreed. Can you talk to your LM LM? If they've already lost one person they need to have it explained why.

Metabigot · 28/07/2021 14:42

I'm relying on the fact that he needs me as we are one man down but he could equally decide I'm more trouble than i'm worth!

I'm having to do detailed checks of important documents with very little time as well which is an ADHD nightmare ! (well for me it is anyway)

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