Today sucked...

[redfathom]

Tomorrow I have a meeting with the bosses to go over a screw up at work. Blah!

 

We had a company wide meeting and were using a GoToMeeting program for people to attend remotely. I have never used it and the organizer was on a plane and couldn't be reached.

 

I setup 30 minutes before the meeting to get everything setup and even had a so called "expert" my boss recommended come help me. In addition four more people who have used it tried to get it to work and couldn't.

 

I told my boss weeks ago when he suggested doing the meeting this way that it didn't seem like a good idea. But he told me to make it work, but I guess I couldn't.

 

Even today he told me to get help from someone because the program is a pain to use and often messes up. I even asked him why we still use it and he said because we have to due to download restrictions.

 

Then the phone we had to use wasn't good enough and the phone he wanted took an analog line versus a digital line and thus wouldn't work.

 

Needless to say the meeting was 15 delayed and now I am in trouble...

 

And it's a week before our annual reviews! Booo!!!

[Art_Critic]

Do your best to explain what happened but don't "Blame" anybody and if you must blame equipment then backup your statement with what went wrong with said equipment..

 

also provide him with a resolution to the problem so it doesn't happen again.

 

Most times providing a good resolution to a problem is all it takes and will make you look good..

 

Good Luck

[redfathom]

Yes, I have been getting full documentation and getting my facts. I am going to learn how to use the program and also create a manual for other users.

 

I will make sure this doesn't happen again. I also now have access as an organizer and can create meetings and view them easier.

 

It's very confusing, and appears that most errors have been user error, now that I realize how to use the program...

 

Thanks Art!

[Art_Critic]

I am going to learn how to use the program and also create a manual for other users.

 

There ya go...I'm sure all he wants is a control on the situation and you are already on top if it and will show him you have the control..

 

and if you need more support from him or anybody else make sure you mention it in the meeting so he gets an idea of expectations being set.

[redfathom]

Yeah, I mean we use it all the time and he admited that it was always causing problems. I don't understand why no one knew how to use it better. But I will take the initiative and figure it out so empower others to learn it as well.

 

I can't fix the mistake and complaining about it (to the bosses) will appear annoying and lacking in leadership skills.

 

But between you and me, it sucks that I am going to get in trouble. They hate excuses, so I won't bring any to the meeting, i will just accept blame and let it go.

[redfathom]

So, do you think if they want to write me up, I should just accept it or fight it. I ask because 99% of all meetings we use this program at mess up. A manager told me he uses it about twice a week when dealing with our customers and he has the same problem.

 

He said he asked for training on this months ago...

 

So would it be fair for them to write me up for a problem everyone else has?

 

This is the only one to directly effect them...

[Art_Critic]

It wouldn't be fair for them to write you up for this....

on the other hand.. should you fight it if they do ?.. it really depends on how they word the written warning..

 

Why would you think they are going to write you up ?

[redfathom]

Well, I am not sure what they will do. But they are very upset...

 

I want to prepare myself for the worstcase scenario. I know I shouldn't "fight" them on it, but I also don't want to be punished unfairly. I think a meeting is in order, but not anything that would go in my employee file.

 

I do feel it will most likely negatively impact my annual review...

 

I almost want to mention how great it is that they now understand the frustrations everyone else has with this program. The guy I talked to said there is a better software out there that is approved to use. So I will suggest that (I have his permission).

[Art_Critic]

I do feel it will most likely negatively impact my annual review...

 

If you show them a resolution and take control of the issue as well as show them that the fixes work then in my mind it will help your annual review and not hurt it..

 

I hope all goes well RF...

[redfathom]

Thanks Art, I will post back tomorrow letting you know how it went. I appreciate your help, it calmed me down .

[Star Gazer]

I do feel it will most likely negatively impact my annual review...

 

One mistake rarely has an impact on an annual review... UNLESS it's the straw that breaks the camel's back. Only you know if it amounts to as much.

[redfathom]

No, I rarely make mistakes. But I just came back from leave from surgery and things have been very weird...

[Star Gazer]

If you need some sort of further accomodation as a result of your surgery, you need to communicate that to your employer.

[redfathom]

Oh, I don't. But I think that they think I do. Because even though I communicated with them on my recovery prior to coming back they were under the impression that I wasn't going to be back. I just don't want them to think that I made this mistake because I wasn't ready to come back.

 

Or that I am unable to do my job.

 

I have to say that one of my bosses never wanted to hire me. I was intereviewed two and a half years ago to be two peoples assistants when I was called with the job offer HR told me that I would mostly be the assistant to just one of them.

 

When I started the one that didn't want to hirer me would often make strange complaints, example: that I should not use pink post it's, even though I didn't pick them they come in a multicolored pack.

 

He often has his favorites and makes it clear who he personally likes and dislikes.

 

Then when I came back from leave my assistant was promoted above me and is now his pet project...

 

I am not trying to make excuses, because I did fowel up, I just want to ensure that this isn't personal based on their beliefs of my potential because of my surgery...

 

In my bosses eyes, if you don't work more then 40 hours a week you will NEVER be a superstar and never a favorite, despite the amount of work you do in those 40 hours. I don't want the stress of working more then 40 hours a week...especially right now. I have a family life.

[Star Gazer]

In my bosses eyes, if you don't work more then 40 hours a week you will NEVER be a superstar and never a favorite, despite the amount of work you do in those 40 hours. I don't want the stress of working more then 40 hours a week...especially right now. I have a family life.

 

Well then, that's it. In your bosses' eyes, you're not qualified for the job - surgery, or no surgery. They need someone who's willing and able to go above and beyond, and does so, including working over 40 hours a week on a regular basis, and they need someone they can rely on to do the job correctly every time. I understand the need for balance with a family life, but in these economic times, employers are demanding more from their employees... and understandably so, don't you think?

 

I don't think your surgery has anything to do with this. I think the situation (as you've presented it) is that you're not as dedicated and passionate about your job as others (who get promoted) are, or other future employees will be. Honestly, that makes you disposable. It's not personal. It's business.

[redfathom]

Oh, I can see their point. But in my defense when they interviewed me I told them that I didn't want to commit to working more then 40 hours, although I do weekly (but like 2-5 more hours). I don't see why I have to sit around here when my work is already done.

 

I am qualified for the job (and human, so yes, I do make mistakes, kind of like my bosses who also make mistakes). I get my work done faster then anyone else...no one should measure your qualifications based on how many hours you work, but how much work you get done in those hours. I am committed to not wasting their time or mine, by keeping my skills up with the times, improving my knowledge of software applications to be more efficient, and not wasting time during the day so that I have to stay late to get my work finished.

 

My asistant who got promoted told me she was doing 70% of the work I was and was staying late to get the 70% done, because my job is do demanding...

[Star Gazer]

Oh, I can see their point. But in my defense when they interviewed me I told them that I didn't want to commit to working more then 40 hours, although I do weekly (but like 2-5 more hours). I don't see why I have to sit around here when my work is already done.

 

Looks like they're changed their mind. There's no "defense" necessary. Responsibilities change and evolve with the demands of business.

 

Your responses sound a lot like the associates at my firm that meet their billable hour requirement for the month/year, but never exceed it. Quite frankly, those associates will never make partner, or get the big bonus, or be the partner's "pet."

 

The requirements of your job should always be viewed as a minimum, the floor... what you have to do to merely keep your job. If you're satisfied with that level of performance, you can't complain when your bosses favor those who are willing to go far above the set bar.

[redfathom]

But you are comparing performance (merit) to hours worked (with no measure). You can't say I have bad performance because I won't work more hours. I do go above and beyond everyday, but go above and beyond doesn't equate to working more hours. My level of performance is high, I often get exceeds expectation on my quarterly bonus, with out working several hours of overtime.

 

When someone at my job is hourly, they are not allowed to work OT, but sallary people are expected to.

 

My boss leaves everyday at 5:00 PM on the dot and I often come in before he does, so when I leave at 5:00 PM on the dot, he assumes I got into work minutes before him, when often it's been hours. Which is why you can't measure performace based on hours worked.

[redfathom]

So the meeting went even worse then I expected. I was told that from now I need to be perfect, that they have lost faith in me and feel that they have to second guess everything I do. When I tried to talk to them about my notes they said they didn't want to hear it and didn't care. They said that before I even come to them with a question I need to think very hard about it and make sure it basically won't waste there time.

 

They said they wonder if I can even do the job I am doing and if they need to get someone else.

 

I tried to explain what went wrong, and to offer suggestions but they again said they didn't want to hear it and weren't interested. All they wanted was for me to ensure that it doesn't happen again, but that they can't trust me not to mess up.

 

They said I wasted 15 minutes of everyones time and resources and I should think about how much of the companies money I wasted.

 

At the end I started crying...I am so embarrassed, frustration, and disappointed.

 

Two people saw me crying and talked to me about it. They said they were being cruel and that I didn't deserve it.

 

So how do I ensure I don't mess up, how do I get their faith in me back? Or do I try to look for another job?

[Star Gazer]

But you are comparing performance (merit) to hours worked (with no measure). You can't say I have bad performance because I won't work more hours. I do go above and beyond everyday, but go above and beyond doesn't equate to working more hours. My level of performance is high, I often get exceeds expectation on my quarterly bonus, with out working several hours of overtime.

 

Listen, I represent employers, and I am an employee who desperately wants to maintain a personal life. I really see both angles.

 

But to put it as my boss does, "you gotta put your ass in the chair and do the work. And when that work is done, there is more to do."

 

If you're more efficient than your peers, that means you can accomplish more than they can in the same period of time. Therefore, if you're working just as many hours as they are (staying longer), you're still doing more work than they are. If you're not staying as long as they are, you're doing the same amount of work. The only difference? They're proven dedication and passion for their job by putting in more time.

 

You're not getting paid for quantity of work only (such as number of widgets you build in a day). You're getting paid (and evaluated) based on your overall performance, which does (no matter how much you might protest) include your willingness to spend extra time "with your ass in the chair" doing your job.

 

Honestly, the thing employers hate more than anything is someone who watches the clock and leave at 5:00 on the dot. Even if it's for a legitimate reason, they don't like that mentality.

 

When someone at my job is hourly, they are not allowed to work OT, but sallary people are expected to.

 

Right. Because... why shouldn't they?

[Star Gazer]

So the meeting went even worse then I expected. I was told that from now I need to be perfect, that they have lost faith in me and feel that they have to second guess everything I do. When I tried to talk to them about my notes they said they didn't want to hear it and didn't care. They said that before I even come to them with a question I need to think very hard about it and make sure it basically won't waste there time.

 

They said they wonder if I can even do the job I am doing and if they need to get someone else.

 

I tried to explain what went wrong, and to offer suggestions but they again said they didn't want to hear it and weren't interested. All they wanted was for me to ensure that it doesn't happen again, but that they can't trust me not to mess up.

 

They said I wasted 15 minutes of everyones time and resources and I should think about how much of the companies money I wasted.

 

At the end I started crying...I am so embarrassed, frustration, and disappointed.

 

Two people saw me crying and talked to me about it. They said they were being cruel and that I didn't deserve it.

 

So how do I ensure I don't mess up, how do I get their faith in me back? Or do I try to look for another job?

 

Take a deep breath.

 

Now it's about damage control.

 

(1) Document what just happened for yourself (i.e., like a diary). Create a timeline of events (including your surgery dates, notice of your surgery, etc.).

 

(2) Stop crying at work. Just don't do it. Your bosses are human, but it's not professional.

 

(3) Be proactive. How do you do this?

 

Find solutions, or options of solutions, BEFORE going to your bosses. Give them options to choose from, don't make them fix the problem. Remember, your job as an assistant is to make their life easier, not more difficult.

 

If there's a meeting that needs a conference call set-up, or a GoToMeeting set up, arrange for it and practice setting it up the day, not minutes, before.

 

If their instructions are ever unclear, ask for clarification.

 

And honestly... I know you don't want to hear this, but, STAY LATER each day, if only for 15-30 minutes, to plan what you're going to do the next day. Get there before your boss, and make sure they know it (send an email, it's time stamped).

[Star Gazer]

Grr, I'm trying to PM you, but I can't...

[redfathom]

let me see if I can setup my Pm's

[redfathom]

I tried and can't send you any PM's...

 

In response, I will start documenting what happened. I know crying is especially bad, it shows that I am weak, I really tried to not cry.

 

I did try to give them solutions, but they didn't want to hear them and I don't think they will ever. They said they want to give me something and no matter what I should be able to get it done...

[Star Gazer]

They said they want to give me something and no matter what I should be able to get it done...

 

Which is true, within reason.

 

Other than the meeting issue, did they give you any other examples of where they felt you fell short of their expectations? If not, do you know of any other examples where you think you fell short?