Unhappy worker, over reacting?
Discussion
Young developer I’ll call Alan (all names changed) was due to work on a project for Brian, but this wasn’t due to start for 3 weeks. Alan was assigned to Head Office for the three weeks because Charles needed a developer. Alan was perfectly happy with this because the project Charles gave him was rather more meaty than he normally gets, most of what he’s picked up lately could have been done by someone with rather less experience than Alan has.
Slight snag was that the work was estimated as 4 weeks rather than 3, but Alan reckoned he could do it. He obviously saw the project as a good chance to prove himself to Head Office, and Charles works closely with the IT director.
In the third week Brian checked a couple of times that Alan was on schedule and would be available on time, Alan assured Brian he would be. Last Thursday, two working days before Alan was due to start on Brian’s project, Alan’s work was complete, signed off and installed. Alan deservedly felt pleased with himself.
Charles then said ‘I’d now like you to develop this vaguely similar function for so and so’. Alan was pleased because it would be a far more interesting project than the relatively routine stuff he’d do for Brian, but pointed out that he was supposed to be back in his own dept working for Brian from Monday.
‘I’m seeing Brian tomorrow (Friday) and I’ll sort it out’ replied Charles.
Alan took this to mean a negotiation between Charles and Brian as to which project he should work on. He would prefer Charles project given the choice since the work would be commensurate with his experience, while the stuff for Brian would be routine.
Charles came back on Friday afternoon saying Alan would remain working for him and that he had told Brian that Alan wasn’t available because he still had work ‘outstanding’.
Obviously Charles just meant some more work he wanted Alan to do, But Alan is apparently absolutely furious. He took Charles use of the term ‘work outstanding’ imply that he hadn’t finished what he was supposed to be doing, so Brian thinks Alan has let him down.
Alan had worked very long hours to get the project in, to prove himself, and feels that not only has he got no credit for it, but Brian and most of Head office are now under the impression that he failed and has caused Brian’s project to run late.
I think he’s overreacting to one word, but I can see his point. What does everyone else think?
Slight snag was that the work was estimated as 4 weeks rather than 3, but Alan reckoned he could do it. He obviously saw the project as a good chance to prove himself to Head Office, and Charles works closely with the IT director.
In the third week Brian checked a couple of times that Alan was on schedule and would be available on time, Alan assured Brian he would be. Last Thursday, two working days before Alan was due to start on Brian’s project, Alan’s work was complete, signed off and installed. Alan deservedly felt pleased with himself.
Charles then said ‘I’d now like you to develop this vaguely similar function for so and so’. Alan was pleased because it would be a far more interesting project than the relatively routine stuff he’d do for Brian, but pointed out that he was supposed to be back in his own dept working for Brian from Monday.
‘I’m seeing Brian tomorrow (Friday) and I’ll sort it out’ replied Charles.
Alan took this to mean a negotiation between Charles and Brian as to which project he should work on. He would prefer Charles project given the choice since the work would be commensurate with his experience, while the stuff for Brian would be routine.
Charles came back on Friday afternoon saying Alan would remain working for him and that he had told Brian that Alan wasn’t available because he still had work ‘outstanding’.
Obviously Charles just meant some more work he wanted Alan to do, But Alan is apparently absolutely furious. He took Charles use of the term ‘work outstanding’ imply that he hadn’t finished what he was supposed to be doing, so Brian thinks Alan has let him down.
Alan had worked very long hours to get the project in, to prove himself, and feels that not only has he got no credit for it, but Brian and most of Head office are now under the impression that he failed and has caused Brian’s project to run late.
I think he’s overreacting to one word, but I can see his point. What does everyone else think?
Charles is a prat and should put it right.
Whether he has the guts to do so is a different matter.
If were Alan I'd talk to Brian and go to that project from Monday and leave Charles to hang - with a verbal conversation with the IT director explaining that I'd done everything that was asked.
I have been accused of overreacting in the past but if I feel strongly about something then so be it.
Whether he has the guts to do so is a different matter.
If were Alan I'd talk to Brian and go to that project from Monday and leave Charles to hang - with a verbal conversation with the IT director explaining that I'd done everything that was asked.
I have been accused of overreacting in the past but if I feel strongly about something then so be it.
Edited by Vee on Friday 11th November 09:32
Charles needs to clarify the situation with Brian and anyone else who now has an inaccurate view of Alan. Alan has been made to look like he can't complete his work on time and has also been made to look dishonest because Charles's choice of phrase suggests that Alan hasn't completed his work on time even though Alan told Brian that he would do. Alan has every right to be furious. I would be too. This is how good workers end up looking bad, because people at a more senior level aren't fit for their roles and then just brush off the consequences of their actions with the same casual disregard with which they undertook them in the first place. Charles needs to tell all concerned that the 'work outstanding' was actually additional work, not an overrun of the original project, and make it clear that Alan has completed the project assigned to him within the time frame originally specified.
Alan needs to speak to Brian to clarify exactly what terminology was used. At the moment Alan's understanding of what was said is only from Charles and, sometimes, there can be miscommunication. If Alan speaks to Brian the outcomes are
Alan realises Brian is aware of the real situation - no further action required
Alan realises Brian has been misinformed - Alan explains the correct situation and Brian either accepts or re raises the matter with Charles.
Im not sure what the purpose of a formal grievance is tbh.
Alan realises Brian is aware of the real situation - no further action required
Alan realises Brian has been misinformed - Alan explains the correct situation and Brian either accepts or re raises the matter with Charles.
Im not sure what the purpose of a formal grievance is tbh.
Why is "Alan" working somewhere he can't just bob out an email?
Brian,
Just to clarify, I am ready to work on your project. However, Charles has added Workload 2. Workload 1 all signed off an complete ( see INtranet here )
Please verify you are happy with the extra Workload 2 being assigned and that I will be starting Workload 3 a few days later due to this. If not then lets meet to discuss 2/3 prioritisation?
Alan/
I *hate* places where they think IT had to tug at their forelock to Management. If that email would get me in trouble with either then I know who to work for.
Brian,
Just to clarify, I am ready to work on your project. However, Charles has added Workload 2. Workload 1 all signed off an complete ( see INtranet here )
Please verify you are happy with the extra Workload 2 being assigned and that I will be starting Workload 3 a few days later due to this. If not then lets meet to discuss 2/3 prioritisation?
Alan/
I *hate* places where they think IT had to tug at their forelock to Management. If that email would get me in trouble with either then I know who to work for.
Alan has spoken to Brian and seems to have corrected the misunderstanding at that end, but Brian has already accepted the delay on his project. Alan has also tried to point out to Charles that he was up to date with his work but got nowhere.
From speaking to Charles myself he apparently thinks that because he had this additional project in mind for Alan all along, then Alan still has work unfinished, despite the fact that Charles hadn't bothered to tell Alan about it.
From speaking to Charles myself he apparently thinks that because he had this additional project in mind for Alan all along, then Alan still has work unfinished, despite the fact that Charles hadn't bothered to tell Alan about it.
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