Should I go to Director over my line manager in this case?

Question

I'm currently working remote because of Covid-19. I work in the pharmaceutical industry so the work we are doing isn't expected to slow down just yet. I've asked my manager now two days in a row for additional work because I have time and I am not getting anything.it's isolating I'm trying not to jump to the worst case scenario. But given that we've been told that work should increase versus decrease and my manager isn't being responsive to my request for more work, should I go to my director and say that I have time to help with other work streams?I want to show my value in this case for job security and to be an asset to the company. Suggestions?

Vivi-Lou · Answer

Tough emotional situation, aside from the job security aspect I know how demanding under-working is on the mind and that in addition to the situation. I would first arrange anquick call with your direct manager, maybe even think about a few things you know need to be done, or which you think are important now. This way you avoid stepping over your manager who maybe is just overwhelmed by the situation as well and you can proactively bring yourself in position again. If you notice that you will not get any work from your manager during the meeting, you could also mention that you will check with the director for further work, so you are still keeping any politics, but also get to your goal either way.

Julie Schlueter · Answer

You have some good feedback from others. I had one more thought--do you know some of your co-workers well enough that they may be able to give you some ideas? They may be overwhelmed with work or see a need somewhere that management has missed. Just some thoughts and good luck with your meeting Friday! That looks like a good next step.

Teresa Charbonneau Robertson · Answer

Thank you. I have a one-on-one with my direct manager this Friday and will have ideas of work I can work on. Depending on how receptive she has to the ideas I may suggest that I'm going to check with the director for additional work as well. I'm hopeful that she will have a few ideas of her own!

IzzyUX · Answer

I agree with Vivi-Lou. Always let your manager know if you plan to reach out to the director. If you reach out by email, CC your manager. If you connect with director by phone, follow-up with a recap email and CC your manager.

Anonymous · Answer

So I had a conversation with my manager, and with feedback with others offline I decided to not go to my director. Funny enough, my director reach out to me for a quick 1:1 and I expressed to her that I was looking for work sometimes and that I was working with my manager on it. With the 1:1 with my manager I expressed again my desire to help out with anything that needed help, and she just said that it's slowed down probably because of Covid-19. I did give a couple of suggestions, but she didn't run with them. I'm going to give it a few weeks and see if it doesn't turn around workload wise. However, I think JulieS's ideas of reaching out to coworkers to see if they see a need somewhere is good. I will try this too. Thanks!

Should I go to Director over my line manager in this case?

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