SO NOT FAIR...somebody help me please??!!??

Question

I'm a full time employee and student (I work at the same university I attend) and my boss (who knows school starts soon) just gave me 5 projects (one is HUGE). He wants me to draft a 237 page document for a committee among other things. How do I get through this? I have a family to care for, school, work, and now this!!!

I can't delegate...I'm "on the bottom of the food chain" if you will.

In our state companies...no way to delegate when you're not a supervisor :(

Answer 1

You're right-that workload is unfair. However, you have to look at this from his prospective. It's irrelevant whether you're in school and have a family. You're getting paid to do a job and your personal life shouldn't interfere with your job. That said, it sounds like even if you were single and not in school, the workload is overboard. I think your best thing to do at this point is to tell him that while you believe that you could complete the tasks he has assigned, you don't feel that you'd be doing any of them justice. You'd rather concentrate on few projects and do them well, rather than rush through 5 projects just to get them done. Explain to him approximately how long you think each project will take to complete, and tell him that there doesn't seem to be enough hours between now and the deadline to get it all done. Ask if there's any way some of the projects could wait, or if you could find an assistant to help you get the projects done. Maybe the guy doesn't realize how long some of these things take. Some people are pretty clueless about other people's jobs. Maybe he just needs more information from you.

Answer 2

Well, I can think of a number of things.

First, I'd like to look at this type of situation from the other angle. A supervisor gives an employee some work. Does he/she truly expect that it will get done? Not necessarily. Just think: If everything assigned actually got done, every jerk supervisor on Earth would be amazingly successful. Most supervisors spend a lot of time mopping up assigned tasks for a variety of reasons. Are you sure you are that person who has to be perfect? Or is it possible that this boss knows he can saddle you with his problems--which might include poor planning and/or poor staffing?

There is a school of thought that a person should continue to challenge an employee--especially if the employee has a strong work ethic--and see what they are capable of doing. But don't think that the work supervisors assign is always done and always done well.

Second, if the supervisor truly is giving you too much work, it should come out in the end. Just make sure that you are giving him periodic updates, as it is inexcusable to withhold bad news from a superior--unless the superior has shown a desire to "kill the messenger". If it doesn't get done, it doesn't get done and you and he should know ahead of time. A trend should be obvious. But don't fret. Provide an update, "Of the five tasks, #1,2 and 4 are 75% complete, #3 is 10% complete and I haven't started on #5." Then try to move on.

Third, if YOU get in significant trouble even though you worked, in your eyes, very hard on the assignments, then you don't have a match. I don't know if you are working at the school to get a discount on tuition, which can be a sticky situation, but if you are in an unsatisfactory situation and can leave, you should consider it. (Always, always try to find another job before you quit!)

Take care of your family and your aspirations. Work to live, not live to work.

Answer 3

For the big project, can you use pre-existing database (spreadsheets, etc..) for this. If so, it may be just a matter of quick editing, updating.

Try to find templates or forms to fill in the gaps. Definitely ask for assistance in distribution - just making copies for a committee could take days. I would find out more about this committee requirement. No one sitting in a meeting is going to read through a 237 page document right then. Can it be broken down into sections?

Break it down to what can get done quicker. But set aside small bits of time to work on each project each day. Don't let that one big project overshadow everything else.

Perhaps you have indicated you are responsible and capable and now your boss has come to expect this. If you are a student employee, hired through the financial office, I'm pretty sure the department employer has to follow specific guidelines regarding student employees. It might not hurt to research those guidelines for yourself, he may not know what his limitations are.

You need this job, plus the skills and reference it may provide you in the future. Step back and examine the process. Don't expect to go home every day and there be nothing waiting for you each day. You can do this :)

Answer 4

Keep in mind that this may not be an attack on you...but whatever you are working on it has GOT to make him look good in front of his peers. If you feel he is testing you... You could play the sex kitten role while asking for a jump start or leveling with him regarding workload. But that'll just tell him you are not ready for a superior position in the future and that you are open for sex if it'll help you get farther. And sometimes it is OK to use this weapon. But get up earlier! Face this challenge. Dig in and do it! Surprise the heck out if him. So, you start school again. Well, no sleep for you since you have a family too. Get over it. Now, get your books and school stuff early and start on those papers DAY 1. Visit the professors DAY 1. (all the while you are finishing/working on those projects)... delegate school work to others to help pick up the slack while work is heavy. If hubby can start the research for you...if grandma can assist at the park while you get some reading done...last but not least, take Vivarin to pull a few extra hours out of your energy stores. Maybe you could carpool and let someone else drive while you get a few winks?

Answer 5

Well, I would say try to go level with your boss. Explain to him that for right now, this is too much. Make a suggestion that you share the project with someone (on your same level). Or if he could give you more time for the project. Explain your course load, if you are taking some harder classes this semester and the kids are sick. Try to get your point to him with some compassion. If he isn't a jerk he will try to come up with something too. Good Luck!

Answer 6

Work on work stuff at work and school stuff in your free time. In other words, don't spend time on work projects when you're not getting paid. If you're struggling, discuss the situation with your boss. Has he given you a deadline? If it's absurd, let him know why it's unreasonable. Suggest an alternative way to handle the situation.

Answer 7

Tell him that school starts next week (or whenever that is for you), maybe he just forgot the date. Ask him for some guidance on how to get started. Tell him you understand the situation he is in with his deadlines (it's just rhetoric, but will make him more open to understand you) and that you really want to get it done, but you need some help setting priorities. That way he can tell you which project to work on first, and you know which one is most important to him.

Answer 8

Ask what the time line is, and what order they need to be completed. Take a breath and dig in.

Welcome to the real world, where people balance careers, families, and sometimes continuing education. It is done every day. The key is allocating your time.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Delegate? Do you have anyone outside if you can't delegate at work that could help you through in a pinch?

Answer 10

Obviously if you have time post on here you arent managing your time effectively. Time managment is the one tool you need to learn so you can handle work, school, and home.