I have effectively sacked myself

nrsql

You're freelance so you should be able to perform the work you agree to do.
If you're asked to do work that you cannot then just do what you can. There's no point in getting into a state and failing - it is not a service to yourself or the company.

In the talk with your boss you should say what you are able and willing to do. Able due to your experience and ablility and willing for the money you get paid.
They should realise it's counterproductive to ask you to do things outside your competence and it's then their decision whether to pay you more for things you don't really want to do. As long as you are offering value for money that shouldn't be a problem.

It's a managers job to make sure that the work gets done - if you're not a manager (and it sounds like you're not) then that's your bosses responsiblity. He'll have to do it himself if there's no one else.

If it's a critical problem for the company if you don't do the work then again you are doing them a service in highlighting a risk that management should have mitigated.

skintchick

No, I'm definitely not a manager!! I'd be rubbish at that.

To be fair, my boss started after I did! I was doing the job that I can do, for a couple of weeks, then someone left, and as no-one else wanted to take over her role, I did cos I thought I'd be leaving soon and they'd recruit someone for it.

But they kept me on, and I was doing really well until they decided the role ought to be much more responsible, which is where my experience has failed me.

I expect my boss thought that his boss knew what she was doing leaving me in that role, and he likes me and wanted to be able to give me a permanent position.

No-one is really to blame, it's just unfortunate that things have developed as they have.

But if what I do doesn;t get done then the entire product doesn;t happen!! It's far too much responsibility for me and beyond my skill set. I am just too willing to have a go I think, and so they thought I'd be able to do it.

Wonder what will happen tomorrow? Still feel sick at the thought of going in, but it will surely take them at least a month to recruit someone else?

gallygirl

Skintchick - don't be so hard on yourself! I know the industry you are in, and there have been no disasters recently, so you've obv done your job well!!!!!

It sounds to me like you are perfectly capable of doing the job well, but are lacking in the confidence to believe in yourself as it's outside your comfort zone. But the other issue from what I remember is that you're not doing the job you really want to do. You've now got some great additional experience on your cv, so go back to what you love the best.

Glad you have resolved this x

ZTD

ali007 wrote:

It sounds to me like you are perfectly capable of doing the job well, but are lacking in the confidence to believe in yourself as it's outside your comfort zone.

Exactly! And with a little bit of help and support from your managers to enhance (rather than them knocking) your confidence, you would grow into that role, and they would not have needed to find anyone else. It's not like you can't do the job - you have been doing it, the proof is in that pudding - but it came before you were ready (confident enough) to fly solo in it.

Another one of those "for want of a nail, a war was lost".

But don't worry, another opportunity is bound to come along, and it'll come as less of a surprise this time.

Littlemiss-lotsofdebt

Skintchick

I agree wholeheartedly with the others, NO job is worth risking your health and happiness for, and thats all that counts at the end of the day. I think you've absolutely done the right thing and that very soon you'll be doing something you're much happier with.

Good luck for the future.

LMLOD xx

LookingAhead

skintchick wrote:

Wonder what will happen tomorrow? Still feel sick at the thought of going in, but it will surely take them at least a month to recruit someone else?

Hey there. Maybe it won't be as bad as you think......sometimes when you know you are leaving, you can cope with so much. Keep your chin up love! There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Just keep thinking to yourself "I'm outta this job!!" and use the remaining time to try & secure something else. You'll be ok.

tawnyowls

You definitely did the right thing. And don't think of it as 'leaving them in the lurch' - it's far better to go now rather than wait till you had a breakdown and then really have to leave at a moment's notice; wouldn't be good for either them or you (but especialy you, and you have to remember that!). You've been upfront and honest with them, you've done the best you could, and at the very least that should be worth a decent reference. So go out there and find yourself something better (but treat yourself to a few days off too).

Best of luck!