Various coincident circumstances mean that I am stupidly busy at work at the moment. One or two of these circumstances could easily be handled but the sh1t seems to be coming from every direction at the moment. I occupy a unique position within the company and possess a unique combination of “skills” which means that I am the sponge that soaks up anything “extra” which needs doing. I don’t mind this. In fact it is rather a good place to be in some respects, especially during times of economic uncertainty.
However, it also means that I am the busiest employee by a country mile. I don’t mind this. One possible career path involves becoming a partner and what better way to prove that I can step up to the plate than to take on the workload ahead of time?
What I don’t like is the expectation that I will just get on with adding new work to the pile without any compensating reduction somewhere else. The bosses simply expect me to absorb anything extra on top of my already busy schedule. I am already considerably more productive than most of the other employees but I am expected to become more and more efficient each day. Not a day goes by without me being given a new responsibility or two, whether it’s a new set of cases to manage or a new office-management function. I don’t know whether the bosses appreciate my work or not, they never say one way or the other. I have to assume that if I was getting something wrong then they would tell me. I am not expecting to be lavished with praise at every turn, I am not that pathetic, but it would be nice if there was the occasional acknowledgement that I work bloody hard and go above and beyond what would be expected of most people.
“I am already considerably more productive than most of the other employees but I am expected to become more and more efficient each day. “
The first half of that sentence tells you why the other half of the sentence exists, I think you’ll find…
Taking on workload and taking up slack without complaint or appreciation is a fool’s game, Blue. Problem is, if you make it look easy everyone will assume that it is. It sound like you’re not saying No enough.
Being the office hero rarely works out well. You won’t get appreciated, just used.
There’s an old adage: If you want something done quickly, ask a busy person.
You need to look up a couple of Harvard Business School `classic` articles, “Managing Your Boss” and “Who’s Got the Monkey”. I commend them both to you.
More partners owe their promotion to subtle blackmail than sheer hard work, Blue. The blinkered employee view always appears different in other reference frames.
Welcome to what was my world in the UK BE!!!
I know myself as a boss, when you need to give out work you always have a tendancy to take the easiest route. Someone who will do a good, efficient job and doesn’t grumble. You’re that person.
Interestingly here in Oz I know a few people who actively seek to fly under the radar and not get too much work sent away. There’s even a book going round telling you how to do it.
Short term pain, for the long term gain of partner!
I could have posted that word for word. In my case, my employers know perfectly well that I juggle several balls in the air while running around like a blue-arsed fly, but it’s not in their interest to admit it. Remember: Illegitimi non carborundum [Don't let the b*stards grind you down].
They will flog a willing horse until it drops … be careful .. you know what I mean
You must speak up. Next case load that drops on your desk ask
A} Which bits of my existing work should i give to someone else?
or
B} Ask for an assistant.
OR do the usual male domestic washing cock-up that means you will never be asked to do anything again. The office equivalent of the red sock in the white wash.
I agree with Stu and the added problem is that if you are so very useful and irreplaceable where you are you will never be anywhere else. Essential and irreplaceable little cogs don’t get promoted into big wheels.
You can make managing your schedule/resources sound very impressive. You ARE a resource and that resource has to be managed effectively. If you make suggestions as to managing your time whilst making it clear that the ultimate decision is someone elses they have to accept responsibility for your failure or indeed your success. But you have to have that discussion (am I right in assuming that you want this job done urgently which I estimate to take X for which I could shelve this other job? Or would you like me to shelve this one?) or no-one is accepting responsibility for your workload except you.
Give them a clear choice is my advice – this or this? Busy people are happier if you give them a choice.
Saw this and thought of you, Blue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HE9OQ4FnkQ
You are not leaving enough time for greasing the bosses or laughing at their jokes.
Work smart, not hard.
They won’t value you for it. Keep some secrets back. Hide some files. Fuck the photocopier and stapler up for the next guy and be a general c**t behind everyone’s back.
That’s how I got where I am today.
Thanks for the comments ladies and gents. I’ve spent all day doing ridiculous stuff so tomorrow I will be accused of not having done any work tomorrow!
I could have written this exact rant.
DK
In some ways that’s quite reassuring!