Reader Ralf has been forced to work harder since his ex-colleague left – and there’s no sign his employers are rushing to recruit anyone. Jobs Guru James Innes is here with some advice
A colleague left several months ago and I agreed to cover on their work while the company recruited a replacement.
At first, my boss was very appreciative and assured me it was only temporary. Now I’m repeatedly told there is no budget to replace them, whilst all their old responsibilities seem to have become permanently mine.
I’m working longer hours, rushing things and constantly worrying that something important will be missed. How do I make it clear that this cannot carry on without sounding unhelpful or as though I’m refusing to do my job?
Ralf, Manchester
Well, this has quite clearly already carried on too long, Ralf! You helped when somebody left – and your employer has turned that emergency arrangement into the new normal.
Don’t begin with “I refuse to do it.” Begin with the work itself. List what you handled before, what you inherited and what is now slipping, being rushed or pushing you into unreasonable hours.
Then ask your boss to choose priorities.
“I can keep x and y moving, but I cannot also deliver xyz properly by Friday. Which would you like me to postpone?”
That stops everybody pretending that one person can indefinitely do two jobs because the spreadsheet (euphemism for the finance department) says there’s no recruitment budget.
Be careful about rescuing the situation every week by working later. The more successfully you conceal the shortage, the less urgent replacing your colleague will appear.
Ask what the actual plan is. Will the role be replaced? Will some duties be removed? Will the extra responsibility be recognised in your pay or job title? Get dates rather than another pointless promise to “review things soon”.
If your boss still expects everything, indefinitely, with no more resources or recognition, I’m afraid you have your answer. The company isn’t solving its staffing problem. It’s just handing it to you on a silver platter.
Top Tip:
Don’t argue vaguely that you are overworked. Show your boss the full list, explain what cannot all be done properly – and ask them to choose the priorities.
Spotlight On: Temp to Perm
When one job becomes two… It happens by inches. Someone leaves. You cover “just for the moment”. A month passes, the work still gets done and replacing them slips down the list because, well, you’ve got it covered!
Before long, that temporary favour has become your permanent responsibility. This is one reason why being endlessly helpful can sometimes work against you!
If you absorb every extra task, stay late and keep the cracks hidden, management sees a functioning department. You see the cost; they see the output. Sometimes you just have to learn to say no!
Don’t sulk or deliberately do a bad job, but do state clearly what your available time will and will not cover.
Get a head start in your job hunt with James’ new book, The Job You’ve Always Wanted – out now from Pearson at £16.99.
Our Jobs Guru, James Innes, is a best-selling careers author and founder of the world’s leading group of professional CV and resume writers .