Should I talk to my boss's boss?

[Redhothoochycoocher]

Started a new job 2 months ago. The work is totally different to the job description and each day I have to ask my boss for something to do as she hasn't set up any system for me to have any autonomy over the work. Eg day to day she'll ask me to do a data task, type up notes etc. Yesterday she wasn't in the office and I finished the work she'd set me by lunchtime and literally nothing else to do until I went home at 4pm. I've touched on this with her but she shut it down and moved the convo on. Clearly she was not happy at my raising it.

I think I should leave but wonder if generally advice would be to speak to senior management first. My 2 issues are the lack of autonomy and the nature of the work being so different to what I was expecting based on the JD and convo at interview.

I'm at work now and she's been in a.meetint since I got here so I've had nothing to do for an hour. I'm not sure when she's due back either. Really struggling with the lack of control which makes me want to jump ship.

TLDR: issues at work. Should I leave or speak to senior management team?

Personally, I would leave. I can’t see anything good coming out of you going over your boss’s head, she will just make things difficult for you, and likely to blame everything on you anyway, I don’t think many bad line managers would accept they were at fault, and you would just end up with the same result of needing to leave.

Yes this is my thinking too. Thank you, just needed to hear it from someone else

You need first of all to schedule a meeting with your manager to discuss your objectives. Highlight the differences between the JD and what you're being asked to do.

What's stopping you carrying out the responsibilities in the JD you signed up to?

Who hired you and interviewed you? Was your manager the hiring manager. Maybe email everyone involved in the hiring process and ask for a general progress meeting. Avoid criticising your boss. Add your keen to be working more independently and prefer more structure. Try to be positive.

If the alternative is leaving then alienating the boss is going to happen anyway.

JDs are often broad to allow flex for a range of different activities. I think OP you need to pinpoint exactly where it deviates from your expectations and what support you would need to carry out what you’ve been asked to do. Or if you really can’t stand it, just leave!