Created a bad situation for myself at work

kazwookie

Sounds to me like you are in the wrong job / company.

I would start looknig for something else.

Good luck

Emmzi

m0t wrote: »

I typed up a long response but my phone ate it so I will be brief.

I made the mistake of not explaining the environment in which I work. There is an extremely rigid structure which means every bit of work I want to do has to be approved by my boss.

I can't start doing tasks that he hasn't agreed to because when he finds out I will be in trouble. I can and do make suggestions to him but he does not agree to them because he wants me ready for whenever he happens to need me.

Again, this is how everything is happening "to" you and how helpless you are.

What do you think
a) you *should* have done and
b) you should do now?

I have some more ideas, but don't want another round of "yes, but..."

m0t

I am genuinely interested in what you would do in a situation where every idea/suggestion you have has to go through someone who does not want you to carry out any other task than what has been assigned.

The reason that there is no work is that he has too many staff in his unit for the level of work he has.

k3lvc

As someone at the business end (though not in Finance) it's interesting when it comes to 'bidding' (as you put it) for Grads. As Emmzi points out my role as Manager is not to spend 100% of my time looking after you and finding things for you to do - as one of the 'chosen ones' you should be adding value from Day 2 (I'll let you off on Day 1 for all the fire training/coffee drinking/diversity training etc). From day 3 onwards you need to be delivering as much to the business as they are delivering to you - despite your qualifications you've generally been hired for your potential and such you need to start showing it. You need to be clever/astute enough to challenge Management without coming across as 'spoilt brat' and you need to be able to generate results despite barriers put in your way.

Once you're doing these things you will be THE Grad that everyone wants to bid for, without them you'll become another statistic who lasts 18months and is only remembered for their name rather than what they did.

The leaders of tomorrow overcome the obstacles/rules/internal politics to make a name for themselves. They may not always be liked but they're generally respected and they get on with things without moaning about not getting what they're entitled to.

Welcome to the big bad world of work - a bit different from university life isn't it ?

teabelly

Jobs are often nothing like the job description. Welcome to the real world. Find another grad scheme elsewhere if the one you're on isn't suitable. It is normal practice for managers to want to know what you're doing. Gone are the days when as a graduate you are treated as special and able to work without much direction and be trusted to do your own thing. You have to do what you've been told to do however menial or irrelevant you feel it is.

m0t

I agree with you, in the other placements I have had I have been assigned responsibilities on day one and gone from there.

As I said the rigid structure means I need approval before starting anything that isn't specifically covered in my job spec. I have never before had problems identifying new tasks and process improvements because previous managers have listened to my suggestions before approving them. I have so far been offered a permenant position by each manager I have worked for (including this one) so I am clearly adding value somewhere along the line.

I wouldn't get too hung up on university, I am not some posh kid scared too do a hard days work. My family is relatively poor and the only reason I went because I saw a large glass ceiling in the organisation I worked for before university. Every post above a certain level required a degree and at the time I wanted to make a career in that industry.

Emmzi

m0t wrote: »

I am genuinely interested in what you would do in a situation where every idea/suggestion you have has to go through someone who does not want you to carry out any other task than what has been assigned.

The reason that there is no work is that he has too many staff in his unit for the level of work he has.

1) Do a workload planner for his department, allowing for peaks and troughs. Show him how he can save money by downsizing

2) If he won't give you stuff in case a rush job comes up, assure him you have no problem at all doing unpaid overtime to do both your development and his priority work

3) Ask him for honest feedback about what you coud be doing better, then agree with it all, whether you think it is right or not. He has years of experience, and right now, you are an annoying gnat. One of the best ways of winning friends in the workplace is to show them that you value their experience EVEN IF YOU DON'T. You need a clear the air meeting. You need to be the oe to start it.

4) It's easier to get forgiveness than permission. Worry less about the hierarchy and process and do stuff! There will be things you think can be done better, product the improved process maps, control systems, spreadsheets, then show him.

5) Phone the manager of your last placement and ask for guidance. Sounds like you need a neutral mentor to help with your people skills.

Emmzi

PS if you hazve been offered a permanent job why haven't you taken it?? Call the nicest person who had one and ask if the offer is still open!

m0t

I am going to attempt to give my thoughts on the above, which I agree are all good ideas.

He has a workforce plan that he meticulously updates and is well aware of the massive troughs in the whole teams workload.

He works 8-4 and will not stay a minute past that time so his worry is that if he wants something done before he leaves and I have gone off to work for someone else then he won't be able to get his work finished before his 4pm get up and leave regardless of the state of his work deadline. I am more than happy to do overtime when needed as he is aware (but unable to understand).

Whilst he does have a great deal of experience he is resistant to change and no longer operates according to the procedures and rules of the organisation. I have now been hauled up several times in front of senior managers to explain things he has instructed us to do incorrectly (for the record I have spent time with him going through these problems but he has no desire to change). He is known as a great obstruction throughout the organisation.

The rigidity of the organisation means that if they offer posts then they must go out to everyone (the manager then chooses from the applicants once they have passed assessment). Currently a large number of people are sat in a redundancy pool because a massive project has just ended so all jobs have to go to these individuals first. I missed my opportunity.

I will look over your thoughts and try and find a method to make them workable where I am. Thank you for taking the time to write them.

Tixy

Is this placement supposedly for a fixed period of time or is it indefinite?
Are you PQ now? how soon will you qualify? would you at that point expect to move department/or be given an option to?

Agree that it might be worth speaking to one of the departments you did like working in and making it known to them you would consider a permanent job, they might well be willing to take you on above others as you already have experience in that department.

Now you have made your issues known I would sit it out for a couple of weeks and see what happens, and in the meantime just do all the work you are given as well as you can. Hopefully the training manager or HR team might come back to you with a solution.