by Nick Corcodilos
Question:
As has happened with every job I've ever had, I've come in entry level, and have had more and more work piled on me until I'm a bundle of nerves and stress. I've handled this very well until now. My current job (software documentation) is the first I've had that recognizes my abilities and has compensated me fairly, both monetarily (not too fairly, though!) and with responsibility and management duties. However, I have now inherited more work than I can handle. I've absorbed the workloads of two individuals who are no longer working with the company. HELP! I'm only one person and can only do so much in a 16-hour day! (Isn't it supposed to be 8 hours?) I look forward to any suggestions or comments you are willing to provide!
Nick's Reply:
I've known more than a few people with a good work ethic who don't know when to tell management "this is too much!" The fact that you keep getting yourself into these situations isn't surprising: It's a bit of a personality trait, I think. You've got to deal with it.
Part of what you're paid for is to tell management the truth. The truth is this: The documentation function in your company requires additional staff.
Prepare a simple plan that outlines:
1. The work that needs to be done (the source of the work, the nature of the work, the time it takes to do it).
2. The profit produced by the work. (Remember, Profit = Revenue-Cost: You contribute to either or both, but you must produce profit or your job gets eliminated).
3. The cost of manpower and tools required to do the work profitably (you, and any additional proposed staff).
4. A description of the relationship between size of the department and the amount of output you can produce (16-hour days are not allowed).
No matter how much work you keep taking on, as long as you accept it the company will continue to heap it on. It's their fault for expecting so much, but it's more your fault for letting them think you can handle it.
Schedule a meeting with your boss. Don't tell him you're having a problem. Tell him you think you have the documentation function organized now. Then show him your plan, including the requirements for additional staff. Don't complain, don't be defensive. Just give him the facts. Not wanting to work 16 hour days is not something you have to apologize for. However, it is your responsibility to show the company what needs to be done to handle the work effectively.
If you don't deal with this problem now, on this job, you will continue to face it at any future job. The sign of a good employee is dealing with the problem, not compensating by working 16 hour days.
One caution: Some companies prefer to kill an employee with work rather than spend what it takes to do the job fairly and do it right. If this describes your company, be prepared to start looking for a new job. I hope your employer is ethical. You owe it to yourself to have a job that's reasonable.
Copyright © 2010 Nick Corcodilos. All rights reserved. Ask The Headhunter® is a registered trademark. Nick Corcodilos is president of North Bridge Group, Inc. and the author of two new e-books, How to Work with Headhunters and How Can I Change Careers? He shares his contrarian advice and hopes to learn a lot from you, too. Got questions or comments? Please join the discussion!
Post originale: http://career-resources.dice.com/articles/content/entry/ask_the_headhunter_how_do4
