Issue with supervisor/job trainer

[funkyrobot]

Hello all.

I have a friend who started a job last August and is finding it stressful, but quite rewarding (what decent job isn't!). Anyway, he is having a few problems with the chap who is supposed to be guiding him into the role.

I should note here that the company originally offered him the role to develop as he does as his education was in the same area, but he lacked good work experience in the area. He also hadn't worked in a similar role since just after leaving uni (about 5 years previously). However, his personality and enthusiasm shone through and they hired him, well in the knowledge that he would need development in the role.

My friend joined the company he works for as a Junior in his role, but within 3 months of his 6 months probationary had been promoted to the full role. The company were pleased with his progress and he was making a good name for himself. When his 6 month probation ended the company made him permanent and even gave him a payrise (very good for the current climate).

The chap who is supposed to be guiding him and assisting his development (he used to do the role but was promoted to project manager when my friend was promoted) is being very awkward when he is approached for help.

My friend will ask him questions but he will get short cryptic answers. He sometimes leaves my friend guessing about things. For example, my friend recently asked him about sorting something out on a custom database that the chap had built. The project manager's response was completely unhelpful and he even said that if he had more problems, maybe they should sit down with the department manager and review his job role! Bit harsh isn't it?

This has apparently gone on since my friend started the role. Any requests for help are pretty much shunned, and when help is given it is apparently like taking blood from a stone.

I have informed my friend that he needs to sit down and have a quiet chat with the dept manager as this lack of guidance and help (which the project manager should be doing) is causing frustration and hampering his progress. He even had to go and see a chap in one of the factories to get some help once, simply because the project manager kept saying to ask someone else.

So, what do the PH masses make of this? Have I given my friend the right advice and should he approach the manager? He is concerned because the dept manager and the project manager have worked together for 5 years, and he has only been there since August. Any ideas anyone?

Thanks all!

Edited by funkyrobot on Friday 1st May 17:05

Edited by funkyrobot on Friday 1st May 17:06

[Scraggles]

the friend should go and ask the project manager's boss for advice - tend to drive to various sites and some tight bastid wanted to restrict my ability to use hotels for long jobs, so went and saw his boss and explained how was too tired to drive long distances even with taking naps now and then... manager got educated about health and safety with regards to driving and everyone benefited

or

the friend can carry on until he loses the job for not having the bottle to ask for help when he needs it

[ChrisOB1]

OK putting my HR hat on.... Rather than appraoch the dept head with a problem tell your friend to go to him to ask his advice. As a business colleague of the project manage for over 5 years your friend would like to know how best to work with him as he seems reluctant to want to help. Perhaps he feels threatend by his rising star but ultimately you (sorry he) wants to be as productive as possible and would appreciate any pointers he could give.

This way he is not complaining about his boss but asking for suggestions as to how he can better manage upwards, whilst making the powers that be aware that there may be a possible issue. Site some examples as you have done i.e " So in this case what would you have done different etc.....

Again tackling this in this manner at this stage is very non agressive and shows true management potential.. he he he....

hope this helps