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helloiamjim
anxious
Member Since: Oct 2020
Location: Fargo, ND
Posts: 52
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#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. |
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RoxanneToto
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Grand Magnate
leomama
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Member Since: Feb 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 4,703
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#2
Are you all working remotely
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Legendary Wise Elder
divine1966
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Member Since: Dec 2014
Location: US
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#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
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Human
seesaw
grieving
Member Since: Apr 2014
Location: Home
Posts: 8,341
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#4
Quote:
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... |
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Member
helloiamjim
anxious
Member Since: Oct 2020
Location: Fargo, ND
Posts: 52
23 hugs
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#5
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Member
helloiamjim
anxious
Member Since: Oct 2020
Location: Fargo, ND
Posts: 52
23 hugs
given |
#6
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Member
helloiamjim
anxious
Member Since: Oct 2020
Location: Fargo, ND
Posts: 52
23 hugs
given |
#7
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Legendary Wise Elder
divine1966
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Member Since: Dec 2014
Location: US
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#8
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 |
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Member
helloiamjim
anxious
Member Since: Oct 2020
Location: Fargo, ND
Posts: 52
23 hugs
given |
#9
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Legendary Wise Elder
divine1966
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Member Since: Dec 2014
Location: US
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#10
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.
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helloiamjim
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