What can I do now?

[Sunnysaturday1976]

I work in a team of 2, my colleague has been in long term sick for over 12 months.

I have been left with the full workload myself, I also had time of sick for 6 weeks as I was so run down. I returned to work with no assistance or phased return from my then manager. I decided to cut my hours, this was a big mistake as this still didn’t force them to take on any cover and I was in a worse situation so went back full time.

A new Manager asked someone else to step in temporary to help me for 4 weeks offering 5 hrs per week, this doesn’t even touch the sides. He is making it obvious he doesn’t want to assist, he also told the Manager he didn’t want to do it. There is no communication, I don’t know what has or hasn’t been done. When I ask it can take 1 week before I get a reply.

I don’t know where to go from here, I’ve had multiple meetings about my concerns and nothing changes. My husband things I should leave as the situation has gone on so long and nothing is getting done to resolve it. My health continues to deteriorate.

I feel so let down. This wouldn’t happen in other teams, staff is replaced swiftly as management don’t want to upset or stress other colleagues yet I’ve been left to it.

Another manager has also left so I now have to start again with my concerns with someone new, this will be a 4th new person.

Is there anything else I can do at this stage to resolve things or is it time to go?

Keep talking to management but also tidy up your cv and look for other options.

Emphasise how their failure to hire more people is messing up their business

And don't work beyond your contracted workload. If management see more jobs incomplete, they should make the new hires a higher priority.

Its sounds stressful and draining OP. I've been in a similar situation where 3 staff left within a month, so I was trying to do their jobs along with my own!

If you haven't started looking elsewhere, then do so ASAP! The other 2 staff have been off sick for 12mths! Not just a few weeks and they still haven't done anything to help, except throw in a few hours by someone who clearly doesn't want to do anything.

Keep an email trail of why jobs cannot be completed- X job cannot be completed due to my 37hrs being dedicated to ABC etc. I'd just try getting out though because the stress can be soul destroying.

Unfortunately I’m unable to do this, I’m licensed in my position and the responsibility is with me.

To keep within timescales/regulations etc I work beyond my hours and during A/L, management know this yet still don’t try to assist.

Go above manager or to HR and complain about the lack of permanent replacement

This may be completely off beam, but can you talk to your licensing body about what is being asked of you? Just having one licensed staff member doesn’t give your employer some magic right to expect you - and your licence - to cover unending work. Also are you not putting your licence at risk by working in this way, where mistakes are very likely to happen?
The real answer, of course, is that you need to leave as soon as possible…