Is my boss just being too hard on me and wants to push me to the brink of leaving?

Anonymous

March 20,2022 at 10:46AM UTC

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Is my boss just being too hard on me and wants to push me to the brink of leaving? I was hired 7 months ago into my current position and I was an internal transfer. The job description for this position states “preferred certifications” but not listed as required. I have attempted these certification exams 3 times and haven’t done well. I spoke to my boss on multiple occasions that it’s not working out for me and if I can continue the job without it. The job CAN be done without these certifications and the job description doesn’t state it’s required but preferred. My boss is always stressing me out by constantly talking about the exam over and over. I feel she doesn’t like it when I tell her I don’t want to go through this anymore. Besides that I have had a recent relapse in my health and have a chronic health condition. Upon starting treatment 2 weeks ago I have been exhausted and tired and can’t find anymore motivation to study after working 8 hours a day and be constantly nagged for a certification that won’t give me a raise or promotion. Do you have any ideas on how to handle this situation. I am in the health IT field just for FYI.

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Rebecca AliMarch 20,2022 at 11:50AM UTC
This sounds really stressful for you. Have you asked her why this is so important to her? If you aren't being incentivized to take and pass the exam, it's not a job requirement, and won't get you anything within the company, I'm not sure why it's being pushed. Maybe if you understand her motivations it will help. Also, you didn't mention it but who is paying for you to sit the exams? If it's the company, perhaps telling your manager that you're just not in a position to continue trying right now and don't want to commit the company's resources toward something that you aren't comfortable attempting again right now would be a good place to start. Also, if it is something you want to pursue when you're feeling up to it, ask for help preparing a development plan that includes building the skills required to pass. Good luck to you!
AnonymousMarch 20,2022 at 12:47PM UTC
Agree with the comment above. This does sound really stressful. If these certifications are so important to your boss, I feel that she should be more supportive and perhaps allow you to study and access materials during your work day, not after. Are there any other resources that you’d need to help? Giving you the tools you need to be successful is the bare minimum of what your boss should be doing. And I think that includes empowering you to try again when you’re comfortable.
AnonymousMarch 20,2022 at 7:10PM UTC
I have spoken to her that this might not be the track for me and perhaps the other track will be better. It’s been stressful as I am having my health issues and am in the middle of a move to another state as well. She doesn’t tell me exactly how it’s beneficial when asked she just says it’s important to have them. Again I have my RHIA which is the standard. I get paid less than the IT techs at my place and no I won’t be able to move within the dept as it’s a small team and people have left before me to pursue other opportunities. The only option would be to apply outside of this organization. I have maintained my RHIA through continued education and my organization doesn’t pay for those. It is paying for me to take the certification exams but I feel am wasting the resources as I haven’t been able to pass and have missed by 5-10 points. Me explaining to her is sounding like a broken radio sadly.
AnonymousMarch 20,2022 at 12:45PM UTC
I would suggest to have a conversation with your boss to 1) understand why she’s pushing you to have the certifications 2) explain to her about your health condition 3) ask when you’re ready to try again for the certification, if you can take the certification during your work hours and temporarily reduce your workload so you could focus on the exams
Sometimes boss push their staff to take certification or pursue professional development opportunities because they think in the long run it’ll be good for them even though currently we don’t see it.
My boss is pushing me to take a profession development course and he had to walk me through why it’s important that I should take it and how it fits into my career goals, before I am onboard. To make it work for me, professional development is during work hours and my workload will be reduced so I can focus on this course.
AnonymousMarch 20,2022 at 3:13PM UTC
You clearly must pass your certifications. Making all the arguments in the world is not going to get you anywhere on your career track. Instead you will be relegated to a single position and your career will stall.
Since your health is failing, make an arrangement with your boss and HR to reconvene in 3 months so you can attend to your health and then pass your certs.
In IT, being certified in certain areas is absolutely necessary and never-ending. You must make continuing education a priority.
AnonymousMarch 20,2022 at 7:05PM UTC
I already have my RHIA which is the industry standard the other certifications she’s talking about are hard core IT jobs and am not in IT to be exact.
I can pursue other opportunities for sure as there’s many other options like quality improvement and such that don’t require such certifications.
AnonymousMarch 20,2022 at 11:34PM UTC
I would pursue those other options.
Sophie JoernMarch 20,2022 at 3:27PM UTC
I think asking questions to gain a better understanding and clarity of the importance of these certificates is step one. There is a reason your boss wants these to be obtained, but it will be valuable for you to first understand the "why" behind it. It could be a personal preference, or possibly an industry standard your boss is trying to align with. Having open dialog about your concerns is important for your working relationship with your boss going forward. See what their response is first, and then decide on your next move. Is there a different role internally that may be better suited for you? A different organization all together? There are lots of options to explore but start with information gathering first ? don't forget to take care of yourself too! Your health is important, work with your HR department on a possible leave of absence if need be.
TMarch 20,2022 at 7:59PM UTC
Do you have a person that you work with or are you atonomas?