Ok, I know the obvious answer is just admit it, I just feel really tearful about things right now. Please be gentle. This is long, sorry.
I am not employed, but I work for a few different organisations all within the same field. I'm self employed but they work a bit like jobs only without the benefits.
One of the organisations I work for I find really difficult to understand their processes, and am often ignored when trying to get departments to do things (eg if I need some find Comms put out I'm not allowed to do it myself but then Comms don't respond so it doesn't happen).
I also have to fill in a form whenever I want something. I can't just ask someone "please can you create a QR code for me?". I have to fill in a form which generally has questions on it that I can't answer, then I get stuck, and I'm not allowed to make the qr code myself!
I've flagged this to my line manager but she can't change anything, so I'm a bit stuck.
Added to this I have an unwell child who I thought was going to get better when I took this particular job on, but hasn't, plus I'm now suffering with menopause and feeling quite ill a lot of the time.
Because I recognised the pressures on me, and that I couldn't continue to do everything, I gave notice to one of my other clients (for want of a better word) but I can't leave yet.
My problem is I thought I was on track to meet a deadline for something quite public, despite having had to move things back a bit on occasion.
I've now had an email from my line manager who is clearly angry, saying they are going to have to postpone the thing, and asking me to confirm I've done a number of things she has listed.
The problem is that a number of them I didn't even know I had to do, and others I thought were ok to do nearer the time but apparently it all needs to be done within the next fortnight.
I can't achieve that deadline as I only do a day a week on this and I've other commitments for other "clients" next week that I can't move.
I've been thinking of quitting this role anyway. I was advised not to do it by the previous incumbent who I know a bit and had chatted with, and I'm experiencing all the issues that she did in the role.
I have to give a month's notice so I'd still need to resolve the issues, I just don't know how to respond.
I can't say "I'm in a total mess, I've not done this stuff, didn't know I needed to, and don't know how to get it done navigating your systems," can I?
I accept that some of this is on me. I should have asked more questions and pushed back more. But I'm struggling with my family health situation (my dad has been ill as well) and I think they should have been clearer about what they wanted from this as I was not aware of some of their expectations.
I'm in a bit of a panic at the moment, need to take some time to think it through and reply, but I would appreciate some advice
I feel really sick and anxious and like I just want to hide away (which obviously wouldn't help!). Even thinking about this job makes me feel sick and I've been feeling like that for a while now.
My line manager is actually really lovely so to send me the email she has means she is either very very cross, or feeling concerned, or under pressure, or a mixture.
I want to deliver, I just don't think I can and I feel awful about it.
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I've messed up, can't deliver as promised, what do I do?
Concestor · 17/03/2023 14:48
wildseas · 17/03/2023 15:06
Sometimes when we’re anxious it feels easier to say that we can’t do something than to fix it.
I think that you need to sit down quietly with the list and plan out how you can fix this.
What could you reasonably do if you worked a weekend day or a couple of evenings?
What do you need done for you? I think it would be reasonable to ask your boss to request and chase this for you.
What did you think could be left until later. Look at it again. Can you leave it till later? Or have you miscalculated. If it can be left till later diary it now and give your boss the completion date.
Is there anything which absolutely can’t be sorted in time. If so is there a way round it? Could you recommend a freelancer? Or ask them to use someone in house to help?
Does that feel like it might work as an approach?
NoSquirrels · 17/03/2023 15:15
Plus - stop telling yourself your role ‘works like a job but without the benefits’.
No - you are freelance. You don’t have the same level of responsibility. The company has the responsibility to brief you properly and manage your contribution.
Don’t accept the de facto position of employee when there’s no upside to you.
TheFlis12345 · 17/03/2023 16:02
Do they not give you a written brief with tasks and deadlines attached?
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zurala · 17/03/2023 15:02
No that's not it. Sorry it's complicated and I don't want to be identified.
A lot of the problems are due to them effectively blocking me getting able to work effectively.
I could deliver if the goalposts were still where I always thought they were, but they want extra things doing really soon which I thought I had more time to do. They weren't clear about that.
I guess we disagree about the process, which has been an ongoing issue - with their processes and how difficult they are. I often don't realise I have to go through a process till I try to do something and am told I can't, someone else has to do it but I have to fill in a form first and then see if they will. It's really hard to get anything done.
And yes they aren't my employer, I'm self employed, but it's not as simple as a client scenario, they treat me like an employee.
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