How do I get out of doing a development plan?

[anonymous-user]

I've been in the same job for my employer for over 3.5 years. Although I'm grateful to be employed I'm starting to think about my future prospects now I'm qualified and decided I'm better off trying to achieve this elsewhere. Problem is I can't start looking until September because I'm doing a Masters and my research is on my current employer.

My boss's boss has told my boss to put me on a development plan. The logical development for me is to start doing some supervisory work, my boss concurs with this. However, he says there's no opportunity for me to do this (there is but he won't allow it for reasons I can only speculate about).

Therefore in order to tick a box he's put me on some bullst development plan which includes offering my services to a dying specialists forum (e.g. meetings co-ordinator); acting as a 'buddy' to our trainee; and giving verbal report summaries at Committee meetings.

I've told him at my one to one and put it in an email that I think this is a waste of time (I stopped short of saying a braindead moron could do that plan) but he is adamant this will develop me. I have an appraisal coming up and was thinking of raising the same concerns. I've come up with the following solutions:

- To just accept it and do it until I leave. But I then let down the specialists forum by leaving them so soon after commmitting myself, which from an integrity point of view isn't good.
- To refuse to do the plan on the grounds it doesn't develop me. I suspect my boss's boss will agree with me but if he over rules my boss and then I leave this doesn't look good.
- To refuse the plan outright and asking to be left to do the job i'm employed to do, which will mean falling out with my boss and creating a toxic environment.

I'm thinking the first option is probably best - what do you guys think?

[davepoth]

First option. Play it cool otherwise you won't be in the company to research it any more.

[Jader1973]

First option.

And make it look really good on your CV.

You didn't just a buddy for the trainee - you mentored less experienced team members etc etc

[Foliage]

Take what he has suggested it, run with it, spin it so it works for you, then blame him/give him the credit when it does/doesn't work.

[Moonhawk]

I'd take it on - if nothing else it gives you more stuff to flesh out your CV with.

"acting as a 'buddy' to our trainee" could easily be interpreted as "employee supervision" on a CV

[rog007]

I would concur with the advice above. Every opportunity is an opportunity if you frame it as such and we all have capacity to develop and learn from different experiences even if doesn't look so apparent at the start.

[Martin4x4]

I agree with the other posters, you are looking at this the wrong way.

Don't look at these as an unwanted imposition, treat these as a way to strengthen your CV.

Embrace the suggestion and run with them, go further than he suggests. e.g. So give the briefing verbally then ask if there any questions, turn any suitable questions into action points, second time round hand out a summary notes.

If they don't work out and you follow through with your exit plan then you have some good examples with your bosses boss during any possible exit negotiations on how your are being held back.

[elanfan]

Perhaps another 'excuse' you could use is that you are busy enough with your Masters as it is but you'd be happy to do as they ask come september

[Xerstead]

There's also the option of coming up with a better, more useful, plan. You and the company benefit and your boss is happy.

[Vaud]

Moonhawk said:

I'd take it on - if nothing else it gives you more stuff to flesh out your CV with.

"acting as a 'buddy' to our trainee" could easily be interpreted as "employee supervision" on a CV

Accept it.

And buddying can be "mentoring"...