Part time position

Giving it a go

Hi All,

I'm relatively new to the part time working week mon - fri 9-1.

Its a office based position in the area that I qualified in so I am v lucky to get it close to home, however, I find that from the minute I start in the morning until 1 pm I am under huge pressure get get things done as it is a very busy office (and I really think now they probably should have hired a full time person rather that part time)

I have a WIP list thats never ending and weekly tasks that need to be complete for clients that I feel are getting done but in a very unprofessional manner (clients dont really notice but its the back up work in the office looking shabby) due to time constraints. I feel that it makes my ability to do my job be questions but the reality is that there is so much to do everything is rushed and nothing is done to a standard that I would like.

No one has said anything yet but I feel its only a matter of time, and in the meantime I keep getting more work pushed my way...

I guess I am just venting but wondering if there is anyone out there in this position and its just the way part time work is....

TheBlock

Giving it a go wrote: »

Hi All,

I'm relatively new to the part time working week mon - fri 9-1.

Its a office based position in the area that I qualified in so I am v lucky to get it close to home, however, I find that from the minute I start in the morning until 1 pm I am under huge pressure get get things done as it is a very busy office (and I really think now they probably should have hired a full time person rather that part time)

I have a WIP list thats never ending and weekly tasks that need to be complete for clients that I feel are getting done but in a very unprofessional manner (clients dont really notice but its the back up work in the office looking shabby) due to time constraints. I feel that it makes my ability to do my job be questions but the reality is that there is so much to do everything is rushed and nothing is done to a standard that I would like.

No one has said anything yet but I feel its only a matter of time, and in the meantime I keep getting more work pushed my way...

I guess I am just venting but wondering if there is anyone out there in this position and its just the way part time work is....

My Wife works Part Time 8-1 by choice as we have school going kids. She is constantly bringing work home and tells me she gets the eyes when she leaves the office at 1 (Needs to collect the kids) I have told her she needs to bring this up with the boss, as she is only getting paid part time she should be only working part time. It's as if she thinks they are doing her a favour by paying her part time money for a full time job.

The more you put up with the more you'll be put upon. Make your position clear, if they need someone full time or another part timer that's up to them

Giving it a go

Thanks for the post, I dont get the eyes when Im leaving (yet) but I do get asked to do things at 12.55 that take more than 5 mins and cant wait till the next day. I also have to do school pick ups so need to be out on time..

I guess i will need to chat to my boss if this continues and try sort something out, I dont want to leave as part time positions are rare...

LimeFruitGum

You need to be comfortable in discussing workloads and tasks with your manager. If you are part-time, it doesn't make sense to me to be giving you time-sensitive tasks.

Track your tasks & how much time it takes you to do them before talking to your manager. Is there any way the most time-consuming tasks could be made more efficient from a technical perspective, or should really be done by a full-timer?

Giving it a go

LimeFruitGum wrote: »

You need to be comfortable in discussing workloads and tasks with your manager. If you are part-time, it doesn't make sense to me to be giving you time-sensitive tasks.

Track your tasks & how much time it takes you to do them before talking to your manager. Is there any way the most time-consuming tasks could be made more efficient from a technical perspective, or should really be done by a full-timer?

Thanks for your reply, I think they need more staff but thats not my call, it seems as if if I don't do the tasks no one will so I am getting asked constantly when they will be done. When I say yes its on my list, I am just doing ABC... etc I just get an oh ok...

I guess I just feel very pressurized and its not a great environment to be going into everyday

CIARAN_BOYLE

You have 3 potential problems

1. you are bad at your job (and it takes you too much time to do things as a result)
2. they are giving you too much work
3. they don't care about the back office part of the work the clients don't see

You need to identify which is the actual problem and address it.

If the problem is one you need to work out why. There may be a more efficient way of doing things.

if the problem is 2 tell them.

if it's 3 you have to decide if you can live with that.

LimeFruitGum

It may not be your call, but this works both ways. You can only do so much in the mornings you are there. If you don't flag that, they won't know. (Also an element of CYA)
It is totally normal to tell someone you have other tasks in the queue and you won't be able to do their task on til Thursday or whatever. You really do need to figure out task priorisation & timelines with your manager asap. I bet everything is listed as 'asap', but when you break it down, they're not equally critical.