Timeline for How to avoid volunteering for work on extra tasks
Current License: CC BY-SA 4.0
11 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 26, 2021 at 18:09 | comment | added | Issel | @nvoigt "While working on this task, I uncovered that the work involved is substantially more than 2 hours estimate we discussed. Here is the work I have so far, and I think XXXX person can finish this". Where XXX person is someone working for Sam. If they push back, tell them they need to email your manager to request additional hours. | |
| Aug 26, 2021 at 17:35 | comment | added | Mołot | @nvoigt is Sam can't approximate, this will open discussion about priorities, responsibilities and, of course, time. If Sam can put it into other measurements (like "I need you for steps 1, 4 and 5 of your recommendation, don't know how long it would take) then again, it is something OP can reasonably work with. | |
| Aug 26, 2021 at 14:48 | comment | added | Mad Physicist | @Kevin. It's almost like you can be a decent person, manage your time and still have the bandwidth to communicate effectively! | |
| Aug 25, 2021 at 23:37 | comment | added | Kevin | @nvoigt: Then you ask your manager whether you should be working on Sam's task or on some other task. This is not "tattling," as your manager has every right to know which project you are working on at any given time. But there's (probably, in most reasonable work places) nothing wrong with giving Sam an hour or two of your time, if you feel you can spare it, and then going to your manager after it outgrows that limit. | |
| Aug 25, 2021 at 12:02 | comment | added | ILoveKebab | @seeker123456789 you have been helpful already. just ask Sam to pick it up himself, because you have your own responsibility. You can't do his work! But do kindly say if he is stuck you are willing to brainstorm with him so that he can finish the job himself. that way you are teamplayer and you are not doing his part. | |
| Aug 25, 2021 at 11:52 | comment | added | Captain Emacs | Take the time estimate, add 50% (or whatever you think the error margin might be) and decide if you are prepared to invest that. If yes, once you are coming close, give a warning, once you are over, politely bow out of further major help investment. | |
| Aug 25, 2021 at 11:12 | comment | added | seeker123456789 | I think this is the most straightforward and non-confrontative answer. I should check how much involvement is expected here, then we can see. I was also really tempted to write back something like "sure /you/ can continue", but I think it's not wise to do that at the moment. I actually get along well with Sam so far. | |
| Aug 25, 2021 at 11:10 | vote | accept | seeker123456789 | ||
| Aug 25, 2021 at 8:00 | comment | added | nvoigt♦ | This can be very counter productive. If Sam says "2 hours" and you spent two hours and it's not done, then what? I mean how would Sam even know, what you can or cannot do in 2 hours? Wouldn't that be up to you to estimate? | |
| Aug 25, 2021 at 7:12 | comment | added | Nelson | Note that this is an open question, and there is no commitment. Something of this scale needs to also be informed by the manager for allocation and prioritization. If Sam tries to talk in person to get a commitment, always go back to email and create a paper-trail. Anyone that's trying to do shady stuff will shy away from creating a paper-trail, and may voluntarily leave you alone. | |
| Aug 25, 2021 at 7:03 | history | answered | Philip Kendall | CC BY-SA 4.0 |