New Line Manager Not Interested

LegacyUser

Hi guys,

I went anon for this and will change bits and pieces below to make it more anonymous.

I work for an SME and was brought in under a fixed term annual contract having worked for the company on a very occasional basis in the past. Having impressed the company they decided to offer me a one year junior management position. I was happy enough with the position and the salary etc. but am still young and had a strong line manager who was happy to guide me. This LM fought tooth and nail for my position to be created and I am happy that he did.

Fast forward three months after I got in the door and my line manager quits. Tells me that he doesn't like the company and what they are up to (long story) and wants out. So do three other junior managers. This means that I am now left which once was a team of 7 to a team of 3. We are understaffed and I am overwhelmed. My salary has not changed and although I have taken on my line manager's responsibilities I am left in the lurch as his line manager (who I'll refer to now as my line manager!) figures out a new team.

At first I thought I'd be able to do my role along with his role but I am finding it a bit daunting. I've messed up a few things that he would have been 100% grand at and am asked to give presentations on topics that I know VERY little about but don't have the time to properly prepare because I am doing my job + his.

My line manager's line manager (this is confusing) isn't being incredibly supportive and isn't that great to be honest. He only joined the company recently and seems to second guess things and isn't really into foresight... just acts rather than let it sit and figure things out. I also got the impression that he doesn't really like me and wasn't that supportive of my ex-boss' efforts in securing me a full-time position (and said that he couldn't see me staying longer than a year hadn't my line manager left and left us with no other option but me).
. I think he sees me as unncessary and weak and it's just getting annoying. I also asked him could I look at getting permanancy in order to figure out a mortgage and he said he'd work on it but that he's enough on his plate.. (i.e. he doens't care and not pushed)

I have been applying to other jobs but this is my first job after two years of traveling and feeling that I just can't keep up. I am also annoyed that I have taken on a person's job that they don't seem to be actively recruiting for (if they ever replace them!) and now it's as though I am expected to do two jobs for the price of one. My standards are slipping, I'm making mistakes and I've exams coming up to qualify. I am over my head... I generally thrive off this kinda crap but I guess the following are the big things -

1. not getting paid enough to be taking on so much responsibly
2. new line manager not seeing the value/ gravity of the responsibility in point 1 and in what i do and so not seeing the need to fight for my raise/ second contract/permanency
3. overwhelmed with two roles + doing exams and quals
4. not confident in my ability because of 1-3 above

Sorry, this turned into a random rant.. I hope it makes sense

Any suggestions here for actions to take (if any)?

R

txt_mess

Your stuck in an awkward place have been there before myself doing multiple roles.

For me the options would be stay on but ask for the title of the role you are doing (don't worry about the salary because realistically you will never get it) and at least then you will get some benefit on your CV.

Or cut your losses and go sooner , which to be honest is the way I would go when you are starting off as a manager it can be hard as you have a little power but not enough to affect real change so it can be hard to get used to it and without a supportive line management it is a nightmare.

cml387

Just one point. You're in a new job, and studying for exams and thinking of getting a mortgage?
I think you may be in too much of a hurry. Worrying about a job becasue you have to pay a mortgage is gong to heap up the pressure. Slow down a bit.

Rubberchikken

can you speak to HR? explain that your doing a job but would like the title to go with it. long term that would look good on a CV.

don't be in any rush to try for mortgage if you can. try to get the work issues sorted first, followed by exams/quals.

don't expect a raise, i think someone has seen that you are well able, bar a couple of little slipuos, to do this job effectively so they won't rush to raise salary or give out a title. but you pushing for a better title could benefit you in the long run.

good luck

Sleepless and Manic

I'm in the US so i'm not sure about employment customs..

But would it be possible to get some kind of Performance Review? Its not unusual in a new job. And at that point you can talk about the specific Job Description.

I mean if they were going to hire someone to take over your position tomorrow how would they describe your duties? Your manager should be able to do this and if he cant then you're getting close to the heart of the issue.

jimmycrackcorm

Because your are on a one year contract you should actually refuse (but not in a belligerent manner) to take on your old line managers responsibilities. You will get no benefit out of it, you are getting clear indications that you wont be kept on.

Stick to the job you are good at, when asked to do presentations on things you don't know then speak up and say that you can't because it is outside your area of expertise. Insist you cannot take on the extra responsibilities of a second job and remind them that you are not a permanent employee. A performance review for example doesn't apply to you.

You need to be assertive, the worst that can happen is your contract finishes up as is due. They can't let you go early because of the reduced staff. You are more likely to get some respect for standing up for yourself.

LegacyUser

Hi guys,

Thanks for the input. Couple of things have happened last few days and been offline.

-new responsibilities are really getting on top of me and really struggling.
-new line manager has noticed and has asked other depts to back away a bit from asking me for favours
-I found out my old line managers salary and he got double what I'm on AND they gave him a rake of bonuses and perks that I don't get (health insurance, company car etc) while I don't expect that at my level im just bulling that they're pulling such a fast one.

I have been looking around for a job outside my company and there's very few opportunities out there at min. Should I consider asking for permanency? Might be good after 6 months?

Thanks guys had such a crap week and was crying in the loo at one point.., I know. Like I like the work it's just I feel like zero hand over happened (as line manager assumed he'd be replaced when left) and I keep making mistakes.

orthsquel

Have you talked with the remaining team members or asked them for help?
I get the sense that your new manager (your former manager's manager) isn't that bothered and is really looking for you to solve the situation yourself, use a workaround like asking the other remaining line managers for some help, rather than coming to him with a problem. If you're getting the impression he thinks you weak and disposable after your contract is up, perhaps he is just testing you, pushing you to prove him wrong. And probably is dismissive of you right now and any future such as permanency because maybe to him he hasn't seen much results in a difficult situation that was not your, or his, making.

In general I'd agree with majority of what has already been said, but the above is just an idea I had and may be totally wrong, but thought I'd suggest it anyway.

What are you getting out of that responsibility? Are you learning any new skills, management experience, stuff you can put on the CV or discuss further in an interview or take to a new job elsewhere? Even just in the ability of dealing with being overwhelmed and how to ask for help? If there's no such benefit to you even for something on the CV, skills to take to another job, or even for maybe being considered for replacing your former line manager, then maybe you will need to draw a line somewhere with it all and continue looking for a new job elsewhere.

Flex

If its a case that you really have to stick with the job for the foreseeable future, as others have suggested,

• Could you try delegating workload out to others remaining in the team?
• If your manager is just not helpful or appreciative of what youre doing, could you try building bridges with managers of other teams or areas that you interact with, getting them to see the workload youve taken on and the value youre adding
• Or just ask for a 1-2-1 with your new manager and really lay out that youve had to take on all of this extra work and responsibility and he hasnt supported you or made you feel that hes there to help you

In the meantime, to try make yourself feel not so bad about the situation, try to look at it as a great opportunity. Youve taken on your former managers role effectively, so while its overwhelming youre getting great experience and learning new skills, things that you can put on your CV and tell future employers about during interviews. You could end up turning the tables on your new manager before your contract is out by demonstrating that he threw you in at the deep end but you succeeded and can then head off to a new employer who will compensate you fairly based on this experience youve gained and leave him to try carry on without you

hopefully you get a resolution soon, nothing worse than being in a job that stresses you so much

ShowMeTheCash

Hey OP I see some good advice on here however:

1. Do not get hung up on what your manager got!
Your manager got twice as much? You said yourself you are in on a one year contract something your manager had to fight for.... This really is or perhaps was an opportunity to step up to the mark, people are usually paid based on experience they take to a role and not on the role itself.
Even if you take on the role there is no guarantee your salay would or should change.

2. Zero or Hero - You are in a position albeit struggling to really set yourself apart... I would have a talk with your manager and outline what you can do and if you are trying to do the work of two people i.e. Your own role and someone elses I would highlight that... But you need to be correct in that... If someone else comes in and is able to do it you are going to look bad!

3. I would not refused to do anything, you are essenitally a temp on a 12 month contract, you start refusing to do things they can cut it short. Again I would just have a conversation and highlight realistic objectives for the next X amount of months...

If you are good at your job if you step up the mark and people think... "Hmmm OP really handled the last 6 months well" then you come out smelling of roses!!!
If however once the the madness has settled they think "This guy was difficult and could not cope" then you probably will not be asked back.

If you do a good job and keep them afloat and they do not recognise it as suggested your line managers manager does not like you then you are better off out of the company.