advertisement
Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
helloiamjim
Member
 
helloiamjim's Avatar
helloiamjim anxious
 
Member Since: Oct 2020
Location: Fargo, ND
Posts: 52
3 yr Member
23 hugs
given
Default May 03, 2021 at 05:28 PM
  #1
I'm a manager of a team that appears to not have enough to do, and I can't think of any projects for them, which causes a lot of anxiety for me because I don't want to get fired, and I don't want to fire any of them.

I meet with each person on a regular basis to talk about their projects. They all are working on a few things but not enough to keep them busy 40 hours a week. And when they're supposed to send me their status at the end of the week, some of them don't even respond.

I've stressed the importance of reporting on what they're doing because managers above me have access to the information. I don't think they're purposefully ignoring my request. I think it's simply that they don't have enough work.

My manager and his manager haven't noticed or they haven't spoken to me about it. I don't want them to suddenly find out and wonder why I haven't talked to them about it. And I don't want anyone to get fired.

I am able to delegate a little, but much of my work must be done by one person for continuity's sake. As a simple example, if I make a change in one file, I must know which other files need to be updated in the same way. And when I say "files", I mean A LOT of files.

What can I do? I don't want to talk to HR for ideas because I don't think our conversation would be confidential.
helloiamjim is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
RoxanneToto

advertisement
leomama
Grand Magnate
 
leomama's Avatar
leomama has no updates.
 
Member Since: Feb 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 4,703
10 yr Member
172 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default May 04, 2021 at 07:21 AM
  #2
Are you all working remotely

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
leomama is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
divine1966
Legendary Wise Elder
 
divine1966's Avatar
divine1966 Tired!!!
 
Member Since: Dec 2014
Location: US
Posts: 22,302 (SuperPoster!)
8 yr Member
1,274 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default May 04, 2021 at 11:07 AM
  #3
I am sorry but if people don’t have enough to do, they need to be laid off. I know it sounds cruel but they shouldn’t be getting paid if they don’t have work to do. I never had a day in my life with not enough to do and can’t even imagine. Sounds like a waste of time and resources
divine1966 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
seesaw
Human
 
seesaw's Avatar
seesaw grieving
 
Member Since: Apr 2014
Location: Home
Posts: 8,341 (SuperPoster!)
8 yr Member
1,262 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default May 04, 2021 at 11:16 AM
  #4
Quote:
Originally Posted by helloiamjim View Post
I'm a manager of a team that appears to not have enough to do, and I can't think of any projects for them, which causes a lot of anxiety for me because I don't want to get fired, and I don't want to fire any of them.

I meet with each person on a regular basis to talk about their projects. They all are working on a few things but not enough to keep them busy 40 hours a week. And when they're supposed to send me their status at the end of the week, some of them don't even respond.

I've stressed the importance of reporting on what they're doing because managers above me have access to the information. I don't think they're purposefully ignoring my request. I think it's simply that they don't have enough work.

My manager and his manager haven't noticed or they haven't spoken to me about it. I don't want them to suddenly find out and wonder why I haven't talked to them about it. And I don't want anyone to get fired.

I am able to delegate a little, but much of my work must be done by one person for continuity's sake. As a simple example, if I make a change in one file, I must know which other files need to be updated in the same way. And when I say "files", I mean A LOT of files.

What can I do? I don't want to talk to HR for ideas because I don't think our conversation would be confidential.
This is a perfect time to find some training for your team to do to prepare them for future projects. Can you assign some training modules?

Can you find clean-up or maintenance work for them to do with files or past projects?

Additionally, I know the problem you are having in delegating. Can you take time to write an SOP for updating all these files then train your team on how to do it, so they can take some of it off your plate? As a manager this is a necessary thing you must do. You have to learn to delegate these kinds of tasks.

__________________


What if I fall? Oh, my dear, but what if you fly?

Primary Dx: C-PTSD and Severe Chronic Treatment Resistant Major Depressive Disorder
Secondary Dx: Generalized Anxiety Disorder with mild Agoraphobia.

Meds I've tried: Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Effexor, Remeron, Elavil, Wellbutrin, Risperidone, Abilify, Prazosin, Paxil, Trazadone, Tramadol, Topomax, Xanax, Propranolol, Valium, Visteril, Vraylar, Selinor, Clonopin, Ambien

Treatments I've done: CBT, DBT, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Talk therapy, psychotherapy, exercise, diet, sleeping more, sleeping less...
seesaw is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
helloiamjim
Member
 
helloiamjim's Avatar
helloiamjim anxious
 
Member Since: Oct 2020
Location: Fargo, ND
Posts: 52
3 yr Member
23 hugs
given
Default May 04, 2021 at 12:13 PM
  #5
Quote:
Originally Posted by leomama View Post
Are you all working remotely
Yes, most of my company works remotely.
helloiamjim is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
helloiamjim
Member
 
helloiamjim's Avatar
helloiamjim anxious
 
Member Since: Oct 2020
Location: Fargo, ND
Posts: 52
3 yr Member
23 hugs
given
Default May 05, 2021 at 06:28 PM
  #6
Quote:
Originally Posted by divine1966 View Post
I am sorry but if people don’t have enough to do, they need to be laid off. I know it sounds cruel but they shouldn’t be getting paid if they don’t have work to do. I never had a day in my life with not enough to do and can’t even imagine. Sounds like a waste of time and resources
I agree but I'd rather find work for them.
helloiamjim is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
helloiamjim
Member
 
helloiamjim's Avatar
helloiamjim anxious
 
Member Since: Oct 2020
Location: Fargo, ND
Posts: 52
3 yr Member
23 hugs
given
Default May 05, 2021 at 06:30 PM
  #7
Quote:
Originally Posted by seesaw View Post
This is a perfect time to find some training for your team to do to prepare them for future projects. Can you assign some training modules?

Can you find clean-up or maintenance work for them to do with files or past projects?

Additionally, I know the problem you are having in delegating. Can you take time to write an SOP for updating all these files then train your team on how to do it, so they can take some of it off your plate? As a manager this is a necessary thing you must do. You have to learn to delegate these kinds of tasks.
Good ideas, seesaw. I thought about clean up work but our stuff is already really clean. Delegating is definitely a skill I want to learn to do better.
helloiamjim is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
divine1966
Legendary Wise Elder
 
divine1966's Avatar
divine1966 Tired!!!
 
Member Since: Dec 2014
Location: US
Posts: 22,302 (SuperPoster!)
8 yr Member
1,274 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default May 05, 2021 at 07:05 PM
  #8
Quote:
Originally Posted by helloiamjim View Post
I agree but I'd rather find work for them.
I get it.

But if you have to invent work for them, it means there’s not enough real work for them: too many employees and not enough load. Of course you can assign them to iron handkerchiefs but if there is no real job task, then what’s the point

What kind of job is it? I know very many people work strictly remotely, they surely don’t have the issue of not enough work, quite the opposite. I might admit to higher ups at this point that my staff doesn’t have enough work to do
divine1966 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
helloiamjim
Member
 
helloiamjim's Avatar
helloiamjim anxious
 
Member Since: Oct 2020
Location: Fargo, ND
Posts: 52
3 yr Member
23 hugs
given
Default May 05, 2021 at 09:44 PM
  #9
Quote:
Originally Posted by divine1966 View Post
I get it.

But if you have to invent work for them, it means there’s not enough real work for them: too many employees and not enough load. Of course you can assign them to iron handkerchiefs but if there is no real job task, then what’s the point

What kind of job is it? I know very many people work strictly remotely, they surely don’t have the issue of not enough work, quite the opposite. I might admit to higher ups at this point that my staff doesn’t have enough work to do
We're insurance billers. Scary thought to talk to my manager about this. But if I don't, it's ultimately my *** on the line.
helloiamjim is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
divine1966
Legendary Wise Elder
 
divine1966's Avatar
divine1966 Tired!!!
 
Member Since: Dec 2014
Location: US
Posts: 22,302 (SuperPoster!)
8 yr Member
1,274 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default May 06, 2021 at 03:16 AM
  #10
Quote:
Originally Posted by helloiamjim View Post
We're insurance billers. Scary thought to talk to my manager about this. But if I don't, it's ultimately my *** on the line.
That’s just it. I know it doesn’t feel good but if it’s your job on the line then is it worth it to cover for them. It might not be their fault there’s not enough work but it’s not yours either.
divine1966 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Thanks for this!
helloiamjim
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:02 AM.
Powered by vBulletin® — Copyright © 2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.



 

My Support Forums

My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.

 

Helplines and Lifelines

The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.

Always consult your doctor or mental health professional before trying anything you read here.