What to do - workload problem

AliceBanned

PlutoinCapricorn wrote: »

Just a few more thoughts.

In your position, I might remind myself of the standard distribution or bell-shaped curve. This means that someone who is well above average fast, accurate and conscientious will feel that they live in a world full of slow, careless and irresponsible people!

The Dunning-Kruger effect means that many people are not capable of evaluating the contribution made by colleagues who are better than they are. There is no point in trying to obtain respect and recognition from those who have not got it to give because they cannot tell the difference between a good project manager and a bad one.

Unfortunately, changing jobs does not always work as bad management and people who get away with a lot are endemic in office culture. On the other hand, I used to work with someone who was fine until a new 'Head of' arrived.The newcomer had favourites; for some reason my colleague was not among them and a few spiteful digs soon reduced her to a bad state and she lost confidence. She realised that things were unlikely to improve and found another job. The travel time was much less and the salary was a lot higher. She has been there for around 10 years now and has no complaints.

I completely agree. I think this is the source of my frustration and I think it is better for me to move on, and keep moving if necessary. It is scarey that it could be the same elsewhere but I'm not going to use that as a reason not to try.

Incidentally today I bumped into a former colleague in the corridor and was chatting; she just popped in after maternity leave but was no a short contract so isn't coming back. I mentioned that there had been lots of changes (the dept has expanded by about 15 people and they have crammed us all into the same office). The director (line manager of my manager and the source of the problem imo) was walking past and said to her something about Putin and 'his expanding empire'. Ugh. No wonder I hate my department. :mad:

AliceBanned

Have been meaning to update but so much happening I didn't get the chance. Work has been very busy so I have been burying myself in that too.


The meeting was ok but some hot air as usual. The director did say that some of my work would rise in profile due to some structural changes. OK fine but I don't want to stay in it! I've been to see about two postgraduate journalism courses, as one possible way into something new that I know I would like and am meant to be doing.


Also the lazy one at the meeting again kept protesting (exaggerating) and there was a comment about the workload for 2015 which has been set(her doing less than half the others) and she asked for reassurance that 2015 workload would not increase!!!:mad:


A couple of days after this I noticed I as wanting to snap at people so I decided I had to get it out of my system. I emailed my manager, stating in no uncertain terms that this was very unfair, and that the rest of us were just getting on with the things she was protesting about as a matter of course etc. It was pretty clear I would push this further but I was giving him the chance to DO something.


He wrote back that he would so I have it in writing now - he agreed it needed to even out. We have since met and he has verbally said that it will take a couple of months and there are other reasons why I will take time but if it doesn't happen by then he will shift some work from the others. I have made a note of this meeting.


Nothing has happened but errr coincidentally two days later I got approval on some courses I applied for over a year ago, costing about £1200 between them- professional courses. It is only what I deserve but if it is 'hush money' that just shows that there is something wrong.


Anyway I am watching what is happening - wouldn't surprise me if I have to send all my info to HR but in the meantime I'd rather get another job and get out of there (difficult at the moment - no response on my latest application, which I spent 2 days on and really wanted!).

PlutoinCapricorn

Does this mean that you are still being strung along? Would you have to repay the cost of these courses if you got another job?

AliceBanned

PlutoinCapricorn wrote: »

Does this mean that you are still being strung along? Would you have to repay the cost of these courses if you got another job?

We probably will be strung along a bit but if nothing changes I think he knows I could well report to HR. He said by end of April if nothing changes he will give her work from our portfolios. I am sure she will always do a lot less though. So yes being strung along. But their panic at me raising it is evident. Spineless managers!

Yes I would have to repay. But I have a 2 month notice period anyway. The most expensive course at £900 is in May. The other in July but I would pay for it if pushed. In the circumstances HR might not make me pay, not sure.

Do you mean they have added the courses to stop me resigning as easily?

PlutoinCapricorn

It sometimes happens that an employee who is not really appreciated is known to make a big contribution so yes, they may not want to lose you so are offering you the courses.

Perhaps they really are afraid that you will take the problem further.

AliceBanned

Yes, I am probably more secure at work than I feel. I feel I make a big contribution but am not 'popular'. There are a lot of big personalities and charmers, some of whom have got away with doing very little but they make the bosses 'look good'. It's really immature and unprofessional in many ways.

If you are a professional in all that you just show them up, without trying. So yes I suspect that the combination of me contributing a lot, and then possibly leaving and bleating about it all as my reason for leaving in particular, would really show them up. Particularly as 3 years ago they started a disciplinary process on a poor performing team member, which the manager managed to escape unscathed - but a second problem of a similar vein with no action taken by him could start to ring alarm bells.

However I now how HR works and I doubt they would bat an eyelid - I have given up trying to change things - if I need to express something I will, but I am pretty much demoralised. I am trying to rise above it and focus on myself and my career and not see my employer as contributing to that in any way, as the clearly won't.

AliceBanned

OK so today I was sent a written proposal of the changes in the team. It has definitely been evened out if this goes ahead, but still reflects more seniority so a slightly heavier workload for me as I have been there longer, but I don't mind that, in fact welcome it as I don't want to be bored. I just wanted the extreme difference in workload to go, where one person is doing a lot of 'presenteeism'.


Our manager still has to speak to the person concerned today but I don't see how she can refuse. He called a team meeting to all discuss what we thought given that a team member is leaving and we are getting a new colleague. I made it clear I saw it as an opportunity and after so long doing some less responsible stuff I would like increased experience/seniority and was happy to palm off some stuff that I had shown commitment to for a long time, to elsewhere. That seems to happen with other teams and that certainly happened when I arrived - I got the workload I was given, no choice. My two remaining colleagues were both wimps and said everything should stay as it is, even though behind the manager's back one of them moans non-stop about the unfair sharing of workload.


To my surprise this has gone in my favour and in favour of other colleagues as the lazy person in the team is having some of it handed on to her. I don't see how she can refuse, but he has informed everyone else and just has to tell her. I'm glad I kept my cool as I was at the point of desperation and wondering whether it was a grievance. It has taken 3 months and 3 reminders on my part but I think we are getting there.


I think the manager must by now be beginning to see the real picture, ie she does not want to contribute the slightest and will do the bare minimum, and is trying to do even less than that. But he is not a strong manager so it has taken me raising this calmly but firmly to get him to realise he can't just let things remain as they are.


I've never been so patient in my life! I have really had to deal with my emotions and be flexible and sometimes at work when people are being difficult that can be so hard. I have in the meantime applied for a couple of jobs and that has helped, though didn't get any interviews. Just being prepared to stand my ground or leave really helped me deal with things. It's so hard at work sometimes!

PlutoinCapricorn

So in a way you are the better for this experience as you have handled it well. Your calm and firm muscles have developed! I do hope that you get the outcome you have been wishing for.

AliceBanned

PlutoinCapricorn wrote: »

So in a way you are the better for this experience as you have handled it well. Your calm and firm muscles have developed! I do hope that you get the outcome you have been wishing for.

Thanks PlutoinCapricorn. So far things are looking up. I think just having the unfairness recognised properly makes a big difference. I also feel the message about using newcomers to progress people with more experience (if they want it, which only seems to be me) has got through. There are limited possibilities but I will get new experience in training new staff and was involved in interviewing them - worked wonders for my understanding of the process for when I come to go to some interviews hopefully.


I also really enjoyed the external training and that has given me another avenue to explore - I seem to have a bit of kudos around the place - only a bit whereas before I felt abused really. So a lot relates to my own attitude and confidence and how I am projecting myself, but there are some sloppy management practices and strange things going on there too. There is a lot of change and big expansion going on though, so it is an opportunity as well as a bit chaotic. I just need to keep looking elsewhere and keep developing myself there in the meantime, and trying to progress in some small steps so that there is more for my CV and so I feel better about my position at work.

PlutoinCapricorn

Always bear in mind that if you can take it or leave it, you are more likely to get it - very unfair I know.

People who feel outraged when they are treated badly sometimes wonder why others are lukewarm: this may be because there is nothing left! So letting some of the bad feelings go lets others get their share - on your behalf.