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"Backup for Owner"

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Anonymous

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"Backup for Owner" -Owner of the firm for which I am a subcontractor will be on vacation for 3 weeks. She asked me and an associate if "we will be around" while she is away to answer client questions directed to her. Associate typically golfs on Fridays and does not put the same amount of time into the clients - nor can he respond quickly .. oh and by the way he is her bf's best friend... so golf always wins :) I have other commitments as well on Fridays and do not want to be the "Go To" for all client requests while she is away. I do not mind backing her up... but The other guy needs to pull his weight. What would you say when she directs the question to us "Will you be around while I am away" . Do you think I should coordinate schedules with this guy while she is away.. If I have a commitment he covers, and vice versa? - we can update our OOO messages to say the same. Thank you

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  1. Anonymous

    Myself in the same position would tell her my availability to set the appropriate boundaries and expectations.

    If you and the other teammate Friday golfer (nothing wrong with that) are covering then I think you should have open lines of communication in case one or the other are not available for something.

    He is not your problem and you cannot control his behavior so put it out of your mind and set clear expectations with the owner, it's great she is entrusting you in her absence. You should be looking at this positively and how you can achieve what you promised the owner.

  2. Anonymous

    Appreciate your input... makes sense! Thank you

  3. Anonymous

    You pick the days you'll be available and let her know you be happy to back her up on those days. Let her address the holes in the coverage. The associates availability is between those two.

    You don't need to get involved in scheduling etc. You steer clear of getting involved beyond your own availability.

  4. Anonymous

    Thank you for your valuable advice!

  5. Maggie Stone

    Agree with everyone here. Let her know that you are happy to provide coverage and let her know when you are available. Then let them assign coverage. If they’re supposed to provide coverage on Friday, then it will be on them if they flake.

  6. Anonymous

    Thanks for your suggestion. Makes sense~

  7. Anonymous

    I would be careful about the OOO messages, especially if the Owner directs clients your way in hers. You don't want to get in some "pass the buck" loop when the clients are sent your way. Otherwise, set a schedule. Maybe he handles Monday, you split Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and you handle Friday. That keeps it all even, and you can back each other up if one of you gets tied up in something. Once you set the schedule, send it out in an email to the appropriate parties and copy the Owner so everyone is in the loop.

  8. Anonymous

    Thank you for your helpful suggestions!

  9. MidwestMaven456

    Tell them the specific dates (1st and 3rd Friday or 2nd and 4th Friday) that you can cover. "Because I want to make sure that I am current on my work and want to fit in time for other projects." Also tell them they can get "the other guy" to cover for you on those alternate Fridays.

  10. Anonymous

    Makes sense... thank you so much for your input!

  11. Anonymous

    I would definitely put together an email before she leaves with her, you and him to determine what hours days each of you 2 will be on call. Then the problem is solved. If he doesn't manage it during the time agreed upon let the ball drop and leave it to the manager to pick up the pieces when she returns. Her job as a manager is to manage that.

  12. Anonymous

    Great idea! thank you for your input!

  13. Anonymous

    Any time! Glad I could help

  14. Anonymous

    Your suggestion is so helpful! Thank you appreciate it!

  15. Eboni Marshae

    Family and friend affairs can definitely be tricky! I totally get your concern. From what you're saying, even if you coordinate schedules, it seems likely you might still carry most of the load. It’s great that you don’t mind backing her up, but if you’re worried about taking on too much, would it hurt to be more upfront about your own availability? Maybe frame it in a way that sets clear expectations; like offering specific timeframes when you can be available but making sure it doesn’t overwhelm you. That way, it’s on the table without jeopardizing your position.

  16. JB09718

    Definitely agree with this approach!

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