How do I approach my manager?

Anonymous

May 9,2023 at 7:40PM UTC

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How do I approach my manager? I just started a new job in January. My manager has been very absent and the hierarchical nature of the company has not given me a ton of opportunities to interact with their broader team. It’s been a very slow start with few responsibilities. Mainly, I have been tasked with meeting notes and minutes with few higher level tasks. My job description was filled with higher level tasks and that was the main reason I accepted the role. I have tried to take initiative and learned parts of the job myself. Specifically, we had someone leave and I have fully absorbed their role and had great results. Our department got approved for a new position that will take away most of my higher level tasks. This position is lateral to my current role. It is making me anxious/upset that I’m losing these tasks that I really like, and I am keeping the tasks that no one else wants to do. How do I approach my manager with my concerns? Can I ask to move to this other role?

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AnonymousMay 9,2023 at 9:09PM UTC
Your boss probably knew that new position was in the works, which is why you weren't assigned any related tasks.
Apply for that other job! You have a perfect reason for applying for it, and the hiring manager should love to have a person who wants additional responsibilities.
AnonymousMay 22,2023 at 5:32PM UTC
By all means, update your resume and let your manager know you are interested as soon as possible. You may have an advantage over an outsider because you’re already employed and familiar with many of these job tasks. Good luck!
AnonymousMay 25,2023 at 5:29PM UTC
Formally apply directly to the other role, and be sure you let the higher ups beyond your manager know as well as HR that the role you accepted had those things in it and you prefer to be doing that and offloading the lesser items to someone below. If they decline and choose to hire from outside the company for that job then they are clearly telling you that they only see you in the other position (you have done a great job you know so why mess with a good thing) then you should look for something new. When you do a new job search let the prospective employers know that the job shifted to a lesser position because they were short staffed and that is why you are looking, as the job no longer supports your career needs.
Karen PittsMay 30,2023 at 5:21PM UTC
I would suggest requesting a meeting with your manager and discuss with them that you would like to either keep the tasks or apply for the new opening within your department. Just let your manager know that you really like those tasks and want to keep doing them, be energetic and show them that you can and want to do those task, keep it positive, In my experience managers are very busy and sometimes there isn't a lot of time to mentor new employees they usually appriciate someone that takes initiative.