need advice work related....

highwood1968
highwood1968 Posts: 61 Member
edited December 2024 in Chit-Chat
So I am in an secondment away from my normal position at work...when I took it I thought it was going to be myself and another person doing the job as the position was too busy for just one person. I come to find out this week that the other person is going on medical leave for the next 6 weeks...leaving me by myself...in a new job in which alot of the tasks is unfamiliar to me or very brief training.

I am getting stressed about it as it bothers me that the reason they brought me in a month ago was because it would be too busy for this girl who has been doing that job for years, while the other girl who I am replacing, is away...now it turns out that somehow now it is okay for me to be myself???? I hardly slept last night getting more concerned about this....would you say something...if so what..or just suck it up and hope it all turns out well:(

Replies

  • camoballerina91
    camoballerina91 Posts: 257 Member
    When I started at my current job, which I've held for three years now, I started out similarly to you. I was asked to come in to work as a temp to help a woman who was ill. On my first day I find out the lady had been out of leave for a few months already and they had a person from a nearby location filling in when she could (which was about once or twice a week). I literally got a 2 week crash course on how to do this job and they left me with it. Of course my major in college was for this position or the like, but I was still very unprepared.

    The lady on leave did come back for a few months, but I was still having to fill in for her more often than she would have liked. It wasn't long after she came back, maybe 3 or 4 months, that she resigned and handed the job over to me (still with very little training on the full position). This job has been a complete learning experience from the start, I can honestly tell you I still come across new stuff. It's not very often that I'm sending out emails or making calls to my superiors to find something out, but it still happens.

    It's been over three years and I can honestly say I love my job even with the bumpy start I had. The lady wouldn't have left the job to me if she didn't feel confident that I could do the job, even with so little training and experience to begin with. I you feel it's too much for you to handle, then yes I would talk to someone. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it, ask questions when you come across something you don't understand. She may have been the sole person to hold that position, but I'm sure there is someone in the office who knows a enough about her job to help you out.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    You need to speak up if you are uncomfortable with your work situation. Let them know that you are not fully trained in that position and that you were told you were there to help ease the workload of the other person, not take over. They may not realize you have not been fully trained on the tasks.
  • _BrewingAZ_
    _BrewingAZ_ Posts: 252 Member
    Yeah, definitely have a talk with your boss about it. I was in the same boat just a year ago where I started with a new job and my counter part is someone who has been here for 25 years, doing things his way and that's it. He has the communication skills of a rock too. So it was a challenge. My advice is to just talk to your boss about it, let them know where you're at, and just take it one day at a time doing the best you can do. Because at the end of the day, that's all you can really do, right?
  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
    I would not make the assumption that because the previous person could not keep up with the job means that you will not be able to keep up with the job. Productivity levels vary greatly from person to person and if she is going out on medical leave then she may have already been missing time for medical issues or performing poorly due to medical issues.

    Stressing is not going to help your productivity, getting a good night of rest will, so try to put away the stress until you get to work and leave it at the door when you go home. Take good notes, do your very best to be productive, and feel free to express your concerns about the quantity of work to your supervisor/management. Just try not to sound like you are whining, try to keep it positive, you are looking for a workable solution, not just complaining about having to do the work of two people - "I'm very concerned about the workload since it's designed for two people and I'm only one person, I'm concerned about being able to keep up since these tasks are new and unfamiliar, how do I prioritize things if I get overwhelmed, or how do I get help if I get overwhelmed".
  • highwood1968
    highwood1968 Posts: 61 Member
    Thanks all! I did express my concerns and was told to not worry about it...just do my best, etc. I know I tend to get anxious and work myself up. I think I am somewhat insecure in this position and keep imagining people thinking "wow when do the regular folks come back, soon I hope" I know that negativity can get into my head and work its magic so to speak.
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