Telling another manager that’s not my role

Anonymous

November 13,2021 at 12:39AM UTC

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Telling another manager that’s not my role

Another manager asked me to do something (cc’ed my boss) that I normally wouldn’t do. She has staff on her team and it’s more appropriate for her staff to complete this task than me.

How do I communicate this diplomatically to her that this isn’t something I do for our department and she should ask so and so on her team/direct report to complete it?

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AnonymousNovember 13,2021 at 12:58AM UTC
You should hat with your manager and let them handle it.
FGB userNovember 13,2021 at 1:08AM UTC
Let your manager handle it
AnonymousNovember 16,2021 at 4:47PM UTC
I would talk to your manager since they where cc'd on there...though I wonder if your manager already knew that this request was coming and they had talked already? For sure talk to your manager about it.
KarinNovember 16,2021 at 5:24PM UTC
I'm curious if you reached out to your manager and, if so, what the response was. Is the other manager who made the request new and wouldn't know it's not your responsibility?
AmandaNovember 16,2021 at 6:14PM UTC
I'd check with your manager to make sure this isn't something they told the other manager you could do for her. Assuming the answer is no, I would simply respond with something along the lines of "this isn't something I typically do for the department; however, if your team is super low on bandwidth, I'd be happy to pitch in this time. (you know team player yadda yadda).
However, if YOU don't have the bandwidth, then I'd replace the part after however with "unfortunately I don't have the bandwidth to take this on right now, or I'd be happy to pitch in and help"
Elizabeth Gough-GordonNovember 18,2021 at 5:54PM UTC
Talk to your boss first; since they were CC'ed on the email, the manager and your boss may have already discussed it. It's also reasonable to ask your boss for clarification if this type of task is a one-time request or if it is something that will be shifting to your job duties.
Julianne EckertNovember 19,2021 at 2:15PM UTC
Definitely agree with connecting with your boss and ensuring you both are aligned on your need to help (or not). Then your response will firmly come from a place where you know your manager will be supportive and will be able to back you up if needed. Good luck!
Joycelyn M. SiameNovember 22,2021 at 3:56PM UTC
You should reach out to your boss. Ask them if they know that the other manager was going to request this of you. Tell your boss how you feel and say you are tied up in your own tasks. After discussing this with your boss, you should then approach the other manager with your response.