When getting anything done is like pushing jelly up a hill!!

[Donury236]

I am having a day - I've been up since 3:30 when my partner left for the airport, so I am crabby AF to start with!). this is likely going to make 0 sense - which doesn't help as that's how it s in my brain. I am just again pissed that I am being expected to do work of technical people when I AM NOT AN ENGINEER!

We have some projects, and qualification documents, going on that I have been tasked with helping on.
I have done what I can and have had to refer to our parent company for assistance, because OUR UK technical specialists are working on projects for another region.
BUT...their teams are busy as well.

I am having to wait days for replies and keep getting asked what stage I'm at - I literally cannot do anymore. I am an admin role - I cannot answer about if our company can fulfil a technical work scope - and indeed if its us or parent company!
We get told to find tenders, we get told we can get assistance when needed. Then its either minimal, they are too busy, or they just say NAH don't tender.

Then turn around and complain we have no decent revenue stream!

I need to apply for international travel documentation for some of the team, and I asked parent company HR to advise. They called, said would send into over asap - still nothing, and its literally just forwarding 1 email that they showed me in the call!
The team are being asked to provide these documents by another team, in another country, on another project that they also are going to help with!

Though, with the USA-Israel war, the most important part is stuck on a vessel the wrong side of the strait! So not much can happen till that is on its way.

And I have to prepare a proposal for a local project. Its not big, but the last time it was done it went SO sideways there was a literal paper written on it. You never know...a perimenopausal female might be able to come up with a better solution than a load of chartered civil engineers... My solution so far is to cut it off😂. Which actually given that it is not longer doing what it was when it weas constructed, and its literally a redundant item, and this is just a public relations/tidy up exercise - might actually work.

Is this a public sector role?

Nope..........Ironically I did 5 yrs in public sector before this and we had to react so fast. If we went at the speed they do here we would get a PIP!

It’s hard when you are reliant on others for input, have the job of pulling it together and the frustration from higher-ups when you can’t progress what you’re trying to do through no fault of your own. Commiserations - it’s a rubbish situation to be in, especially when you’re someone who takes personal accountability/responsibility more seriously than those senior to you. Best of luck.

I have a motto, if someone is going to do something for you or send you something then "don't say thank you, say when". Obviously I do say thank you, but I'm sure you see the point.

If someone promises something I just ask something like "As it's on screen can you send it now so I can work on it right away" or "When will you send that over so I can [reason why you need to do it now like you're being chased for it]" I then log it, with name/date/what I'm expecting, as soon as it's late I call them or slack/message them. I will also say something like "When will you send that over as I need to complete the report for X and will need this info". If they don't give it to me I do let X know (in as nice a way as possible, but I won't cover for them).

Re the UK teams being otherwise engaged I'd ask "When do you think they'll be able to work on this, so I can let X know?" That way you sift out whether they are making an excuse or it's an actual reason. I have found people often go "Oh! don't mention it to X I'll get it to you by X date". Because you've just blasted through their excuse. If they are actually doing something else you'll need to let others know you can't start it til the date they give you and it's only fair you inform them so you don't look bad.

People soon get to know who will chase them up and they tend to respond quickly. It can be frustrating if you're in a collation type role but whilst I try to be nice I also project an air of ruthless efficiency to get what I need.