Like my job, don't like my new manager. (paycheck, jobs, company)
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I have been working at my company for about a year now. For the first three months, I had an awesome manager that showed me the ropes. She was smart, efficient and made sure I left on time every day. She knew how to push back on project deadlines so we weren't overloaded, yet still made everyone (ie - clients and internal departments) happy with the quality of work.
Unfortunately, she left the company about 4 months after I started since she hadn't received a raise in about 2 years. I had no manager for about 5 months, but I knew what to do and happily did what was required of me. Then, finally my company hired someone about 2 months ago.
My new manager is nice and all, but I'm having issues with her. She came from a much larger company with a team of 8 people - now she just has me. She has all these ideas, which are probably great, but I simply can't do all the work she wants me to do. My normal workload has tripled and I am staying late everyday. She also is a bit scatterbrained when she gives me assignments - so when I do a project, I have to revisit it several times because she "forgot" to tell me to add something in. She seems irritated when I can't get to certain things or don't finish my tasks on time.
On top of that, she never stands up for me. I have this other manager who tries to recruit me for his own projects (this was no problem before my new manager started). I told him I was overloaded and would need to talk to my new manager to see if I could squeeze the project in. He ended up talking to her about it (annoying) and she said I could do it - but still gave me a ton of other work to do.
I've expressed my concerns about the workload and tried to offer suggestions on simplifying processes. Her responses are these hollow agreements that never go anywhere ("sure, I can take a look into that"). I am the most stressed I've ever been at this job and I feel like I am making mistakes all the time.
It sucks, because I was really happy at this job for the first 9 months. I don't want to leave, but I don't know how much more I can take of this manager!
Does anyone have a similar story or any suggestions?
Have you tried putting your general angst in writing and presenting them to her in a letter along with your suggestions? If I liked the job and the company that would be my first inclination when attempts to address the problems orally have gone nowhere. It's one thing to either really like or be ambivalent towards your manager but a whole different scenario when the manager's demands create stress and thus affect your all around ability to do your job.
Give it some thought - and if you go this route be sure to keep a copy of your letter in case you end up having to go over the manager's head.
Location: Stuck on the East Coast, hoping to head West
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At this point, I would think you would have a general idea of how to prioritize. Do the most important things first. If her wishlist items don't get done, then so be it. I would also keep a journal in which I tracked my time and documented all that I did during the day. The other manager would not be an issue for me. I'd simply say that I'd love to help, but can't. I wouldn't quit a job over a manager because, as you've seen, management changes.
Have you kept in touch with the old manager? I once had a manager I loved working for. I always kept in touch with her and ended up working again for her several years later.
She may be power-playing you. She's new, you've been there for almost a year and you had a great relationship with your previous manager. Honestly, most female managers I've known have been deeply insecure and some will do anything to make themselves look or feel more powerful. They don't care who they throw under the bus, as long as it doesn't affect their position or paycheck.
Watch your back, work hard, be direct and get her to be direct about her expectations.
Nothing I dislike more than a new boss throwing his/her weight around. Sounds exactly like my most recent ex-boss, who kept piling on the work, and changing things over and over, and telling other co-workers I was incompetent. He fired me within 6 months of his first day on the job.
Everything I tried failed- - asking him to help me prioritize, asking for his input and advice on every single project, trying to anticipate what he wanted, learning new ways to do things, staying late to finish the work piled on me.
Thought for sure I could outlast him but no. I should have started looking for a new job immediately.
That's my advice- -start looking. You don't necessarily have to leave right away, but it's nice to know what possibilities are out there .
Quote:
Originally Posted by stava
She may be power-playing you. She's new, you've been there for almost a year and you had a great relationship with your previous manager. Honestly, most female managers I've known have been deeply insecure and some will do anything to make themselves look or feel more powerful. They don't care who they throw under the bus
Sounds likely most recent manager- - a man.
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