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Justification for hiring and realistic deadline - pls help
Subject:Justification for hiring and realistic deadline - pls help From:Joanne Wittenbrook <jwittenbrook -at- ameritech -dot- net> To:techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com Date:Sun, 6 May 2007 11:48:55 -0700 (PDT)
____________
The company for which I have been working for the past two years still
thinks of itself in terms of Start-up despite the fact that they are
growing tremendously (they may very well go for IPO this year). The company is
doing well, very well. All the departments have been growing steadily but the
>>>>>>Technical Writing Department (me!).
>>So yes, I am the only technical writer and ... I don't have a life
anymore, no evenings, no weekends, and no nights anymore either. I have
been complaining that I was overloaded but I am not sure that they really
internalized this despite the fact that they see me working like crazy.
I guess that as long as I was meeting the deadlines (more or less), they
figured that they didn't have to do something about this and they
didn't.
___________________________
The reality is that people don't see problems that don't happen. When deadlines are met, even with complaints, the higher ups think everything is fine. If the deadlines are missed, what are the consequences? .
As other people have said, get some documentation together on how many hours it takes for each project. Just saying you are overwhelmed doesn't work. Managers need specifics to work with, especially when it is something they need to pony up some money for. Outline some options. You could suggest turning to a temp service. That way, they don't really see it as being as big of a commitment as hiring someone. Another option is getting an intern to help out over the summer.
Don't work yourself to death. If you come in evenings and weekends and you don't get overtime, the organization higher ups don't see what is happening.
You need to present it as an issue that needs to be resolved and suggest solutions complete with dollar figures so they can weigh the options.
If that doesn't work, polish up your resume. Something you should be doing anyway. Start sending it out and you will feel like you have options. Nothing like a potential offer in your pocket.
Joanne
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