Help with a silly but awkward situation
Discussion
I work 2 days as week as a receptionist. The other 3 days are covered by a lovely lady of 63 who has worked this reception job for the last 20+ years. No-one else has worked here untill i came along to job share so she could slow down.
When i started i was mindful that it was "her" job and she may find it a little hard to "let go" of some of her duties and i believe ive been respectful of that.
However I am considerably younger, better qualified, more experianced etc etc. Not that it matters though it just that a fresh pair of eyes can help streamline some processes etc.
We pretty much share everything although there are things she just wont do. She's not stupid and perfectly capqable of learning (mail merge for example) but just wont, preferring me to do it. Which is fine. i can do it and i do.
But recently she has taken to becoming incredibly forgetful, not saving things on the pc, putting them in odd places we cant find easily, ordering large amounts of stationery we dont need because she forgets to check or look for things first etc. She also recently either ignored a request from me or just forget again and I dont know how to deal with it.
Obviously a first thought would be to see my line manager however he is of the attitude she has been here a long time and wouldnt want to upset her. There is no one else. We work in one of those places everyone has been here 10+ years, its a job for life, no-one ever gets fired or leaves and you can never do wrong.
When i started i was mindful that it was "her" job and she may find it a little hard to "let go" of some of her duties and i believe ive been respectful of that.
However I am considerably younger, better qualified, more experianced etc etc. Not that it matters though it just that a fresh pair of eyes can help streamline some processes etc.
We pretty much share everything although there are things she just wont do. She's not stupid and perfectly capqable of learning (mail merge for example) but just wont, preferring me to do it. Which is fine. i can do it and i do.
But recently she has taken to becoming incredibly forgetful, not saving things on the pc, putting them in odd places we cant find easily, ordering large amounts of stationery we dont need because she forgets to check or look for things first etc. She also recently either ignored a request from me or just forget again and I dont know how to deal with it.
Obviously a first thought would be to see my line manager however he is of the attitude she has been here a long time and wouldnt want to upset her. There is no one else. We work in one of those places everyone has been here 10+ years, its a job for life, no-one ever gets fired or leaves and you can never do wrong.
This is a really interesting situation and one that comes up quite regularly. You're right to take a considered view rather than banging the table. I would definitely have a chat with your line manager to get their take on things. These new developments you cite; he may not be aware of them. I agree that longstanding employees require respect, but so do new employees. Your feelings are just as important, particularly if the situation is affecting you. What I would do in your LMs position is to consider giving your colleague a specific project that takes them away from their current post but that is still within their competencies or offer early release at no penalty. Now of course the incumbent might not want either, then you, with your LMs full support, just get on and manage the situation as best you can. Good luck!
spikeyhead said:
If your line manager isn't worried then why should you be?
Because I take pride in my work and believe if a job's worth doing it's worth doing properly.Also we order enough stationery to stock a small staionery suppliers. Simple economics suggests if it's not in the buisneses financial interest its not in my finiancial interest. We havent had a payrise for anyone in over 6 years. Whilst im sure streamlining our stationery outgoings wont realize a payrise for everyone its a small step in the right direction.
Lemmonie said:
spikeyhead said:
If your line manager isn't worried then why should you be?
Because I take pride in my work and believe if a job's worth doing it's worth doing properly.Also we order enough stationery to stock a small staionery suppliers. Simple economics suggests if it's not in the buisneses financial interest its not in my finiancial interest. We havent had a payrise for anyone in over 6 years. Whilst im sure streamlining our stationery outgoings wont realize a payrise for everyone its a small step in the right direction.
Tannedbaldhead said:
Sit back and enjoy the easy life. That or leave and join a more thrusting and dynamic outfit.
This might be the answer.G/f has a 'great' job but she just isn't the type to enjoy a job she doesn't have to think about and can spend 2 out of her 3 working days plucking her eyebrows. Add to this a workforce who, to a man and woman, will not accept change unless under threat of job loss directly from the boss. The managers are a joke and have no idea about management agreeing with every initiative and stating that it is exactly what is needed when it is agreed and then spending the next month or two feeding the right miss information and priming workers to complain about how it isn't working/going to work to ensure that old methods are left unchanged and no one needs to learn anything or improve.
She starts her new job on the 22nd...
Lemmonie said:
Two years ive been here. Encounter first problem and leave.
Yup, that'll fix it!
You speak about a company full of intransigence and ‘not invented here’ syndrome. Your initial posts suggests you are not happy where you are.Yup, that'll fix it!
When approaching a problem consider all possible solutions and delete until you achieve the one you are most willing to implement and which you feel will give you maximum results.
Obviously it’s not bothering you that much or else you would consider finding another job, after all the way you write you clearly believe you are capable of more than you currently do.
Out of interest have you tried the unusual step of talking to her directly about your concerns? Put in a nice and even “Oh did you get chance to do X the other day for me?” etc you might just get somewhere.
Rude-boy said:
When approaching a problem consider all possible solutions and delete until you achieve the one you are most willing to implement and which you feel will give you maximum results.
Out of interest have you tried the unusual step of talking to her directly about your concerns? Put in a nice and even “Oh did you get chance to do X the other day for me?” etc you might just get somewhere.
Thankyou. I asked for advise because it's what i wanted. Im certainly not above asking for help when i require it nor do i believe i know everything. Someone might throw something else up ive not considered!Out of interest have you tried the unusual step of talking to her directly about your concerns? Put in a nice and even “Oh did you get chance to do X the other day for me?” etc you might just get somewhere.
Whilst I am over qualified for the job I have never job shared before or worked closely with someone who may be having difficulties doing their job for whatever reasons.
I have considered asking her but I never see her. We communicate via email and so far all has been good. I dont want to upset her or for her to think maybe im questioning her ability to do the job.
Ive never managed people myself so really i was rather hoping someone who has experiance with dealing with staff issues could advise.
But in answer to your question I will endevor to call her. Believe it or not i want to handle the situation sensitivly and with consideration hence me asking for advise.
Lemmonie said:
But in answer to your question I will endevor to call her. Believe it or not i want to handle the situation sensitivly and with consideration hence me asking for advise.
As someone who spends more of my time managing people than I like I have a little experience in with dealing with staff issues.Number one on the list is have you spoken to each other about the issue? I appreciate that it is difficult if you never actually meet the person who you share a job with.
I would not do the phone call or e-mail thing, can you drop by the office on one of the days you are not on but she is? Face to face is always so much better as so much of communication is non verbal and that does seem the issue here to me - communication. In truth you aren't 100% if she is just having a 'mare of a few weeks, losing the plot, or trying to make you look bad. 5 minutes face to face should sort out her angle and assist you in planning the way ahead IME.
Lemmonie said:
haha We are in social care. Im grateful to even have a job still!
Well that's easy then. Ring her, "I know we work in social care...I just didn't realise you were one of the people we are 'looking after"
On a more serious note. Why not arrange a couple of hours shared together to do a stationary audit - then you can have a complete list of what you have and what you don't need to order.
Agree on a location for a note pad of outstanding tasks that you leave for each other, the following person simply ticks the ones they have completed..
Stuff like that
good luck
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