new on the job no guidanceHi, I just started working in a technical job. A coworker was assigned the task to train me on the job. I work with him and another coworker who works in the company longer than he does. Though, he is sort of helping operations in different fields than only our dept. From the start I thought the coworker was the department supervisor, but today I found out he isn't. He and the other coworker didn't get along and although she says she is overworked, she is blamed for her character also by management. Also, I found out that two employees before me left. The work organization is quite disorganized, people get confused and blame each other for mistakes. It now also has become clear that the coworker doesn't have a clear schedule to train me. He introduced me on one task and answers questions in a way that he knows best, while at times it becomes clear he doesn't know more than I do. I have to wait for him to give me new responsibilities and when I askedfor more he said to take it one step at a time. I still don't knowwhat he and the other coworker are working on throughout the day. I am a professional but treated as a newby in this field of expertise. I don't get the opportunity to make autonomous decisions about priorities, while these are obviously different per employee. I also was blamed for things that weren't mistakes. Although most employees seemed nice I heard they gossip behind people's backs, but I guess that happens everywhere. Today I went to the floor manager, to ask for a clear training schedule and train me on all basic job tasks right away. Do you think this was a good move and does anyone have suggestions how to best deal with this? Tomorrow we will discuss my training with my coworkers. I know the other coworker is in favor of a clear training schedule, but the floor manager and the coworker who trains me didn't listen to her remarks during our previous meeting. There is a big gap between what many employees think "training" is and what it really is. I find this especially with people that are younger and new in their career (don't know if that applies to you or not). In a nutshell, however, in most jobs, this is not like school. You're not getting a personal tutor to be at your beck and call. While a clear schedule of what you're supposed to know at what point would probably be helpful, keep in mind that's going to mean that you are responsible for knowing that information at that point. If you don't gleen that information or if the "trainer" isn't great at explaining, that could backfire. Keep in mind too that people who "train" in situations like this are not professional trainers. They're usually subject matter experts, or often just the guy that's been around for a while and SHOULD know how to do things but may not know how to explain them. It is on you to learn what you need to learn anyway, to ask the right type and amount of questions to the right people at the right time and make it work regardless.
Tess Thanks Tess, I made a list of items I want to discuss tomorrow. I just want to work on the job autonomously as soon as possible, because I have the background to be able to. To make mistakes at first is expected and everyone there makes them anyway even after years. Though I don't like to be at the mercy of a coworker's busy schedule (and other coworkers' moods?) and plans for training that are unknown to me, for how long will that be? I can already be blamed for various things because I 'am a newby', that attitude is what I want to prevent with setting clear goals and control of tasks. But your advice makes me more realistic about adjusting my expectations, take responsibility like I have done but to practice some patience as well, also to the coworker. All three of us do need to co-operate. Thanks again. | |
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