Frustration of New Role

[gee4]

I know there can be teething problems with every new job, but I would like some advice on this before I act.

My new role came into effect as of 2 November.  I received an email request overnight (with the email trail included) asking me to raise the necessary paperwork for car rental for the period Sept 09 to Oct 09.

Now, whilst I have no problem supporting my current boss and his team, I am also expected to support my new boss and his team.  However is it wrong to draw the line at clearing up someone else's mess/paperwork which relates to something 2 months ago?

I don't want to seem unhelpful but at the same time I don't want people to think I am a walk over and will clear up their missing paperwork.  The secretary who should have looked after this has now moved with her boss to her new role and has obviously cut all ties.  I firmly believe this is still her responsibility to sort.

Please advise.

[eturtle]

Congrats on the new job!  I am curious on what others will say, but for me, I would suck it up and do it.  Even if I don't like or want to.  I would call the old secretary and ask if she knows or can find the information as it was her responsibility, but as it is yours now, the end results falls on your shoulders.   I will add if the paperwork is impossible or totally lost to make sure they know you did all you could.  That will not reflect poorly on you as it was before you.  It will look better if you do your best to resolve the problem.

[gee4]

So do I leave all of my missing paperwork for the secretary who will take over my role?! 

(which will never happen by the way as I don't work like that but just making a point).

[Cathy S]

I would sort it out, but having done it I would make a clear note on the audit trail that you are resolving a 'left over' matter started by ANO - along the lines of: "Car Hire Sept-Oct 09, arranged by X Secretary for Y Boss.  Retrospective procurement documentation raised by Gee (date) at the request of (whomever)". 

This both protects you if there is any future fall out from the matter but it also makes it clear you have done it because you are a professional and not just because you are a walk over in a quandary.

If there is anything you really cannot piece together a polite e-mail to the previous secretary requesting her input is fair.

I do agree with you the previous secretary should have behaved professionally and tidied up her assignments, but picking a fight over it won't make her do that in all probability and sets the wrong tone in your new role - let them see how professional you are and what an asset they have in their current support.

Good luck

Cathy

[geminigirl]

Very annoying but I would just get on and do it but, as Cathy S says, make sure that it's known you're resolving something started by another.  It wouldn't hurt to contact the other person and see if she has anything helpful she can add to the mix - perhaps point you in the right direction to get it cleared up.

I've had to deal with similar stuff in the past - it's all part & parcel of taking on a new job.  Annoying having to clear up someone else's mess but par for the course.

And of course, brownie points with the new boss when it's all sorted professionally and efficiently!

Good luck!  And hope the new boss is going to be easy to kick into shape 

[gee4]

Why is it that when we keep everything afloat and manage to juggle balls in the air, we get little or no praise but in fact more is expected of us?

I still haven't moved to my new location and to top it all my colleague has been off sick since last Tuesday.  I am now managing current boss and his team, plus new boss and his team as well as my colleague's boss and his team.  I actually think I deserve a medal rather than hear someone say, "mmm I hope you are looking after my team".

Are people that insensitive or is it because I'm doing such a good job that they expect more?  I know what you are all going to say, do these individuals have any idea what my workload amounts to, answer yes!  They are all well aware given the comment above.

If I don't keep up with the work, jobs don't get done, meetings don't get arranged, travellers don't catch flights and things fall apart.  On the other hand if I keep going at the rate I'm going, something is going to give.  At the minute I am having 10 minute lunchbreaks just to stop emails and phone calls mounting up.  Not good I know and something I don't really believe in doing.

In order to alllow myself some breathing space, I have now decided to use any remaining flexi and annual leave to take off every Friday in December. 

As for the other matter of clearing up someone else's paperwork.....find me 5 minutes in the day and I'll think about it! 

[JessW]

I so hear you.  My currently underappreciated roll is covering for any two other teams, monitoring the entire sections billing, doing half of the billing, monitoring and chasing unpaid bills (mostly so that credit control don't embarrass us to the clients), teaching the fee earners how to bill, teaching credit control how to identify correct bill types prior to above-mentioned embarrassment,  ... sorry, ran out of breath.

My point is, do any of them appreciate that you are a professional and doing a b@oo$y good job?  Of course not!.

Hope you enjoy your Fridays off!

Jess

[gee4]

Jess,

The one thing I will say is, that several people have commented on how organised and efficient I am which is a big compliment as I am very particular about what I do and how I work.

If only they could shout it LOUDER! 

[officepa]

I have found that initially I am really put out when asked to / or find myself having to do work someone else has left behind as they, usually, can't be bothered.  However, when this has happend to me, the main reason for sorting it out is that if I don't, it will only reflect badly on my boss or his department so I really had no choice.

But, I have always made a point when the work was completed of telling my boss at an appropriate moment what I have sorted out and they have always been grateful (and hopefully noted this for when they are doing my appraisals and salary reviews! )

I find myself doing odd jobs now that really are not mine to do but in doing them, someone has always commented that it is really good to have someone sort things out and thank you very much. 

To a certain extent I do feel appreciated but won't let it get to the stage when others in the office just assume I am a soft touch and will ignore things assuming I will do them.

Once I heard someone say when the copier got jammed, "oh, leave it, (me) will sort it out" - I told them in no uncertain terms that I am not the odd job person so they need to sort it out themselves.  I suppose people will always try to take advantage but hopefully the ones that matter (like bossie) will reward you for being such a model employee