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Manager issue

6 replies

EmmaDilemma5 · 21/02/2023 19:37

I'd love some advice please.

I've started a new job and on paper it's a great one. Good variety and pay, great work/life balance and nice wider team (but they do a different role).

My issue is my boss's communication isn't ideal. I can go all week with very little input. This would be fine if I was well established but I'm only a few weeks in and I feel like it's taking a long time to learn anything as I'm not exposed to anything. I've been given a few tasks and lots of reading but they're pretty low level tasks and the job is predominantly WFH, as are most other people, so there's not much opportunity to integrate myself.

She regularly complains about her level of work but she won't give me anything significant. She seems stressed and overwhelmed and has expressed that she doesn't have the capacity to manage me in the way she'd like to. I totally understand that, but I guess selfishly I'm just feeling a little underwhelmed about the job and with some regret about moving there. I loved my last job, it was just badly paid.

What shall I do?

I've asked for work and offered my support. I've expressed and interest in getting involved in new areas.

Any tips?

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ScottBakula · 21/02/2023 19:55

It must be difficult when WFH with situations like this as face to face conversations tend ( imo ) to resolve things better , however , next time you talk to her and she starts to complain about here work load ask if there is a specific issue she is struggling to find time to do and see if you can help .
During the first stages of the pandemic my boss was run ragged trying to find things like sneeze screens , auto hand sanitiser dispensers , aprons ,and a myriad of other things . We are a FM company so was getting inundated with 100s of calls from our clients about different products they wanted . .

So we set up automated emails and voice mails saying if you wanted xxxx please contact Scotbakula and if you wanted yyyyy please contact Mr manager ,
that we were not both looking for the same thing emailing the same company's asking for the same quotes.
It was still a hard slog because at the time very little was known about covid , how it was transmitted , what killed it , etc
I remember us having a conversation when we had placed a few ordered worth around 12k and us saying we may struggle to sell this as I bet it all blows over in a few weeks ! .

So is there anything you can do to lighten your bosses work load ?

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rubbishatballet · 21/02/2023 20:00

I'm just feeling a little underwhelmed about the job and with some regret about moving there.

I think you need to ask for a 1:1 and say this. If she's any sort of decent manager (and just overwhelmed/distracted by her own workload) this ought to be enough to sharpen her focus.

And if it turns out she's not a decent manager, I would consider approaching her manager. Perhaps by asking for an intro 1:1 (if that hasn't happened already) and during that finding a way of dropping in your experience of induction and misgivings about the role.

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Sleepychicken · 21/02/2023 20:22

Can you ask to job shadow her or some of your colleagues to help you get up to speed, then you can volunteer to take tasks on as they arise. I’ve been in your managers position and it’s really stressful - I felt like it was easier to do things myself because by the time I’d explained what needed to be done I could have just done it! Not a helpful attitude for you but an easy trap to fall into!

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EmmaDilemma5 · 21/02/2023 20:48

It's difficult to shadow and jump in as the systems are completely new to me, as is the sector. So there are definitely some things I could help with (low level) but the more technical tasks are ones I'd need to actively be shown I think. But that's a good idea, perhaps she'll agree to meet somewhere centrally so I can watch her work and learn - although I wonder if she'll want this.

I've raised my concerns subtly a few times now and she definitely has acknowledged and heard me, but nothing is changing. She's now seemingly getting more stressed and to be honest, looks like she's on the verge of a breakdown.

I really feel for her as I'd imagine her heavy workload is the reason why I've been employed. But equally, I need job satisfaction and I'm worried how long this will go on for. She hasn't indicated a time when she'll be able to be more "present".

I'm reluctant to make my feelings too official or too much of a big deal as once you say things you can't take them back and I had hoped we'd have a great working relationship. I really don't want to either stress her out more or make myself look like hard work.

I think, if she wasn't busy I wouldn't feel so bad for not being busy, but it's hard watching her drown while everyone else in the team must wonder why I'm not helping!

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NewChange · 21/02/2023 21:12

You’re only a few weeks in. Be patient and offer help.

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EmmaDilemma5 · 21/02/2023 21:16

NewChange · 21/02/2023 21:12

You’re only a few weeks in. Be patient and offer help.

This is very true!

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