How to approach this (employee, highest, temporary, job)

[Chicagoist123]

Ok, so I have been really successful in my job from the year I have been here. Got a great 12% raise, have gotten continous praise from the highest of highest ups. Everything is going fantastic.

One thing though. My workload has become unblanaced and too much. Let me explain. Since I have been working here I have been in three departments and this is all in a period of one year.

First 5 months, I worked for the company's Organizational Development department. Then they moved me to Internal Communications for 5 months but I still kept my organizational development duties. Beginning of this month they moved me into the Marketing department where I sit now. With that being said I still have my organizational development duties, internal communications duties and now NEW marketing duties. Basically I am everywhere! I have moved from department to department, but my duties never change, just get added on to.

I was feeling fully loaded last month but able to handle it. But now in my first month in marketing they have given me a lot more duties and and have great plans in the direction they want me to go. One problem is though, I just don't have the time to keep up with my older department's duties. I literally just don't have the time, specifically the organizational development duties.

I am having a meeting with the VP of Marketing next week and thought I would bring it up to her. Cause to be honest she needs me to be on full time marketing (Marketing department is running super lean!). I am also going to lunch with the Global President next week as well to discuss my "future" with the company. He wants me to lead the creative communications globally at some point.

So my thing is how do I approach this issue and how do I go about voicing my concerns? It really boils down to that I have become too unfocused in the scope of work and that there simply is not enough time for me to work on it all. I am already seeing that the organizational developemt work is being neglected because marketing work cannot fall behind. I know they are doing everything to keep me happy, so I am sure things will work out, but how should I approach it to them?

[jaypee]

You and your boss need to sit down and agree to what your job role and priorities should be so you are not inappropriately spending time and effort in areas your boss doesn't place a big value in.
If some responsibilities are temporary, define what temporary means including duration.

[Moonlady]

Originally Posted by Chicagoist123

Ok, so I have been really successful in my job from the year I have been here. Got a great 12% raise, have gotten continous praise from the highest of highest ups. Everything is going fantastic.

One thing though. My workload has become unblanaced and too much. Let me explain. Since I have been working here I have been in three departments and this is all in a period of one year.

First 5 months, I worked for the company's Organizational Development department. Then they moved me to Internal Communications for 5 months but I still kept my organizational development duties. Beginning of this month they moved me into the Marketing department where I sit now. With that being said I still have my organizational development duties, internal communications duties and now NEW marketing duties. Basically I am everywhere! I have moved from department to department, but my duties never change, just get added on to.

I was feeling fully loaded last month but able to handle it. But now in my first month in marketing they have given me a lot more duties and and have great plans in the direction they want me to go. One problem is though, I just don't have the time to keep up with my older department's duties. I literally just don't have the time, specifically the organizational development duties.

I am having a meeting with the VP of Marketing next week and thought I would bring it up to her. Cause to be honest she needs me to be on full time marketing (Marketing department is running super lean!). I am also going to lunch with the Global President next week as well to discuss my "future" with the company. He wants me to lead the creative communications globally at some point.

So my thing is how do I approach this issue and how do I go about voicing my concerns? It really boils down to that I have become too unfocused in the scope of work and that there simply is not enough time for me to work on it all. I am already seeing that the organizational developemt work is being neglected because marketing work cannot fall behind. I know they are doing everything to keep me happy, so I am sure things will work out, but how should I approach it to them?

The key is to remain positive and not come off like you're whining. You have a very valid point - they have piled a lot of work on you because you could handle it, but it's time to speak up. Letting them know you appreciate the opportunities and that you are concerned about things slipping or not getting the attention they need are good points to make that show you are concerned, not complaining per se.

I would expect an employee with too much on his/her plate to work effectively to speak up, so it's quite appropriate. As a matter of fact, it's better that you do this now rather than wait until something does slip and it reflects badly on you.

Good Luck.

[Roman77]

You have to build the case that being given so many extra duties means none of them are likely to receive the attention and care they each deserve, and it's not to the benefit of the organization for this to continue. If you make it about you ( i.e I can't handle all this work) it's more likely to fall on deaf ears and it could come off as whining. As mentioned above, nip it in the butt now and you'll appear proactive instead of reactive if something goes wrong which could cast you in a negative light.