Work issues

[Dreadingmybirthday]

Hiya,

I started a new job few weeks ago but there are some niggles, if nothing else thanks for allowing me to get it off my chest! I thought it was a call centre type role but feels more like some ticket reply robot.

Perhaps I'm making a load of excuses for my stats (which are the only reminder of call centre work) being down:-

I've never had to assign work which I'm finding difficult as different with previous workplaces, where more modern systems have been in place to prevent cherry picking and you'd get work to do automatically, instead of having to find and select it yourself if that makes sense.

The company I've gone to work for has such an old CRM (I knew it was called a dinosaur at one of my previous workplaces when I struggled to use it there for another purpose entirely) - you literally have to log off it at lunch time even!

Now logical would be to tell a manager, bring it up, but there is no manager to speak with, so I've noticed all questions attempted so far gets fobbed off under don't know. (unfortunately, I didn't find out there was no manager until day 1)

I also have an issue forming with one of the other new starters who appeared very needy to begin with, their mood swings quite a bit from tears of I can't do this job to let me tell you what to do when their ex manager side comes out (they have no experience of the industry we're in to go for the mgr role) - when we started it was as if they were the only new starter so much to the point they received all the help and whilst I had welcomed their friendly touch in work, it's grating they keep asking me for help and are top of the leaderboard stats wise in a way I don't know how unless they are a touch typist. I don't know how to tell them nicely to stop interrupting my day as less as possible before I land up down the job centre, without the worry of hurting their feelings, is it possible? I'm currently bottom of the stats board and don't know how to begin to help myself. I did think about asking one of the other colleagues (we all started as a group) if they would assign me work but I don't know then if that is viewed as me deliberately stopping them working and whether it gives rise in a no manager situation for them to then act as my supervisor.

Apologies for war and peace.

Sorry to drag this up.

Yesterday I got a colleague to assign me work but it has today affected their stats so least we know that is not the way forward.

Also, another set of stats have come out today which reveals our individual work attendance to all (whilst I'm not planning to go sick and have a good past attendance at other companies) but can they make things like this really so public?

It does sound difficult, and not a role I have ever worked in, but in the absence of other replies, or to bump...
I don't think there is anything wrong in saying to Needy Colleague, "My stats are down, and I need to concentrate, I can't help you, sorry.".

This publishing of league tables re attendance etc. I've seen this sort of thing, and it does harm morale. No idea if it's legal.

Many thanks, it seems to be getting worse by the day. Today one of the younger team members told needy colleague they have been literally forced to work overtime this coming weekend causing more drama. It does feel like the younger half of the team are trying to wind us oldies up.

I've been employed by the company now over a month without a Manager and everytime there is a question, it's feels conveniently brickwalled for enabling not getting any answers.

I think I'm now willing to put my head on the block - should I go towards HR or attempt to speak to the person who interviewed me?

As you don't seem to have a line manager, I would contact HR. Sounds like a bad environment. Unless there was an understandable reason why things were a bit chaotic, I think I would be looking for something else.

I’d definitely speak to HR and find out if you have a line manager and who/where they are.

In terms of the day to day work:
As there is the ability to cherry pick tasks I’d be interested to know if that’s how some of the new starters are topping the stats leader board.

Are there any experienced staff there that you could ask for tips? Sometimes after years of doing a role people have shortcuts or guidance notes for processes that they’d be willing to share.

Ignore the needy colleague and the drama. If needy is topping the leader board she doesn’t need help, she just wants attention. Be polite but aloof. If she sends you messages, just give short replies. “In the middle of something at the moment, can you check this with x?”. If you use MS Teams can you set yourself as busy or do not disturb?

It does seem like you’ve been thrown in at the deep end with little ongoing support. Unless they’re having a major and unexpected issue, this doesn’t seem like an organisation that is invested in your ongoing success. Feel out HR and see what type of response you get. If they are dismissive and avoid the issues then I think that speaks volumes.

I feel for you, there’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re floundering at work with nowhere to turn for support.