How to speak to manager when induction poor

[cleo333]

Hi I started a new job 2 weeks ago and have been unable to finish my induction tasks ( mostly online ) due to no time as I’m being loaded with work tasks( so many emails ). There is also minimal hands on support ( read this read that but no time) where I’m totally overwhelmed and actually not able to answer all my emails in the day as there’s not enough time . I’ve now started going in early to try and get on top ( unpaid) but am also not sleeping, worried about it all . How would you word this as right now to my manager as I feel a bit of a failure but also know that’s not right ?

Do you have a team lead, or anyone who’s keeping track of your learning up to now? If so, start with them and stick to the facts. You’ve been asked to do XY & Z, there isn’t enough time, what should be priority.

Is it that there is too much to do in not enough time or is it that it’s taking you personally longer which
leaves you short on time?

Not enough time and I’m having to read instructions a lot

Do you have any colleagues who started at the same time, and are they having the same issues?

I’d chat to a manager, but worth figuring out in advance whether it’s a case of too much work not enough time generally OR that you personally are struggling and taking more time than expected to read/learn/work in which case more support or adjustments may be needed.

Ask to schedule 1 to 1 if you don’t have it in your calendar yet, and just tell them - Mr/Mrs Manager, I got all this induction to do but I am worried that I won’t be able to complete it in time because XYZ.

just talk to them…

How many of those emails need immediate answer? Are they all addressed directly to you or someone else can pick it up?
How long are your responses, each email require war and peace with attached evidence?

block yourself some time in calendar an hour every day and do it then.. maybe you need to prioritise work in different way?

There is no time in my schedule to block time out as my role has many different areas of work . The person who did the job has left and there’s no shadowing just lots to read and to be honest no time to read it . I’m so miserable 3 weeks in

Once you know how to do everything, so no longer need to stop and read instructions, do you think the role is manageable?

If yes, then that’s what you go with. Speak to your manager and say that the role has a high but manageable workload for someone who already knows all the systems, but as you have no one to shadow so have to stop and read through instructions, you don’t currently have the time to completely everything. You know this problem will take care of itself once you’ve learned the role but, at the moment, there is just too much and you need some support.

I'd start looking for another job. It sounds like they're taking the piss out of you by overloading you with work. Your first few weeks should be enjoyable where you get to know the team, shadow people, and take the time to learn the systems, processes, etc.

Bullet point the original post but take the emotion out.

Sit down with your manager and tell them the points, bullet point by bullet point.

Put it over to them to work out what work gets taken off you in order to complete the induction tasks.

Dont do any free extra time, you do that at this stage and it will only ever get worse.