Career Questions and Answers
How do I handle replacing a co-worker?
Asked by Left Stranded
This is an awkward situation. My company decided to downsize and keep me in Accounting and let the other girl (who makes more than me AND has a degree) go. I will now be taking over her responsibilities and I need a little bit of training. I tried sending her an email expressing sympathy, but at the same time addressing the fact that I will need her assistance before she leaves. She hasn't responded. It's been over a week. My boss gave her a month to find a new job. How do I address this tactfully? We have both been with the company a long time (me 7 years, her 6 years). I totally understand and respect the fact that she is probably very upset about this. It came out of nowhere.
Asked by Left Stranded
This is an awkward situation. My company decided to downsize and keep me in Accounting and let the other girl (who makes more than me AND has a degree) go. I will now be taking over her responsibilities and I need a little bit of training. I tried sending her an email expressing sympathy, but at the same time addressing the fact that I will need her assistance before she leaves. She hasn't responded. It's been over a week. My boss gave her a month to find a new job. How do I address this tactfully? We have both been with the company a long time (me 7 years, her 6 years). I totally understand and respect the fact that she is probably very upset about this. It came out of nowhere.
A:
Best Answer:
I would step to her personally and address the situation. But honestly, i wouldn't be training the person who is keeping their job while I was being let go from mine when I had the experience and degree.
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Answered by msdnmo
I would step to her personally and address the situation. But honestly, i wouldn't be training the person who is keeping their job while I was being let go from mine when I had the experience and degree.
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Answered by msdnmo
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I don't think that it should be your responsibility to let her know that she needs to train you.
If anything, talk to your boss about the situation, and see what they have to say.
Answered by Glockwork
Answered by Glockwork
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change the door keypad code
Answered by Dasyatidae
Answered by Dasyatidae
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that's a tricky one. the email was a good idea. i would tell the boss how you feel so that they can address it with her. hopefully she'll be understand instead of just bitter.
Answered by Your Y!A BFF
Answered by Your Y!A BFF
A:
Approach her directly. You are in a difficult situation too - taking on more work. Ask for her help, and see if there is anything you can help her with as she is wrapping up what she has to do. Maybe you can already start taking on some of her work so that she has more time to look for another position.
If she is hostile, talk with your boss.
But don't email - these sensitive situations are best dealt with face to face.
Answered by Curious
Answered by Curious
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You shouldn't have sent that message in an email. It looks cowardly. Stand and talk to the woman face to face. Man up and deal with the situation!
Answered by The Great Slappy McStretch Nuts
Answered by The Great Slappy McStretch Nuts
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well she has to deal with it its not your fault. tell her that she was an equally good worker as u were and that she shudnt hae been fired .might make her feel better.
Answered by AleXx
Answered by AleXx
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All you can do is ask nicely, say that you admire her talents, and say that it's unfair for her to be let go.
Either she will help you or she won't.
And realize it my happen to you some day.
Answered by M.E.
Answered by M.E.
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Well, if she won't help, you could check online. Or if that takes to much time, try asking someone who's in the same department as her and would know how to help you. As a last resort, you COULD tell your boss your not ready for the job and that you want training.....but that last option is risky, and I wouldn't consider it unless you really have no idea what to do.
Also, your co-worker may just have been busy (what with looking for a new job) so you may need to give her more then a week to respond. You should also ask her in person.
Answered by shadowbloo3000
Answered by shadowbloo3000
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As you have before i would politely send an email or leave a voicemail asking for help and giving your best regaurds. But, as a company they are responsible for training for the position your taking. i would speak to someone in upper management. and have them address the issue.
Answered by Adam C
Answered by Adam C
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Schedule a day with her so both of you are at her desk. You can have her walk you through all of the stuff you have questions on. If she is given a months notice that is VERY generous of your boss. She should be appreciative and show you (at the very least) the minimum of what you need from her.
These are tough times & she's not the only one that got laid off this month.
Answered by Diego619
Answered by Diego619
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You need to advise your boss that you are unfamiliar with some of the tasks you will be expected to perform.
It is then up to him to organise training.
Answered by Richard P
Answered by Richard P
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Don't expect her to help. If I was in her situation, I probably wouldn't either. Ask the boss for the training.
Answered by Gypsy Girl
Answered by Gypsy Girl
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Try putting the shoe on the other foot: How would you feel if you were leaving and needed to train her for your job?
It is possible that she will not offer to train you or assist in any way.
It isn't your fault, but she has reason to be upset and not want to help the company that is dumping her. She is probably using her time trying to get a new job, so she won't be without pay when she leaves. I doubt if she cares at all about the company she is leaving.
You need to discuss the situation with your supervisor and have them ask her to help you with her responsibilities. It is not your place to have to ask her. She resents you enough already without you having to ask for her instruction.
Having worked 35 years in accounting and business, I just tell you that they are just using you. They are probably giving you two jobs and not much more pay. I know this seems good for you, and it is, but don't let them walk on you and overload you just to save money so they can get big bonuses and pay at your expense.
Good luck.
Answered by EROS7776
Answered by EROS7776
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I feel it's risky if you going to ask boss to ask her to train you. Your boss fired her instead of you is not that he/she like you better. you boss fired her because he can pay you less and think you can still do the work for both people. if he find out that you can't do your work. He might change idea. But if thsi thing is confirmed. then you can ask boss for help. For you co-worker, you should show sympathy to her and treat her a dinner before she go. Do it anyways whether it will impress her to help you out or not. Don't ask for help at all during food, cause that will make her feel like you are buying her help. If she appreciated you. she might offer to help you.
Answered by magictiger_007
Answered by magictiger_007
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You indeed have an awkward situation. Your co-worker probably holds alot of secrets; however, she is going to be leaving, and you are staying. Your managers feel that you are best for that job.
I wouldn't expect any help from the terminated co-worker. I also wouldn't say anything negative about her situation, like, "I am so sorry, that was so unfair of them to terminate you!" (She could snitch on you, then you'll be next.)
In the meantime, you must get cracking on taking it on with little to no assistance. The bosses know you can do it. You stay, she goes. You can do this!
Answered by betron
Answered by betron
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You need to put yourself in her shoes..................(I'll wait)
Now, even though it would be an honorable thing to do by giving you the info so you can do her job - would YOU do it? Don't just say yes because you need the info and knowledge she has - put yourself in her shoes. Would YOU do it? They fired her and gave you the job- you should know how to do it. She shouldn't be expected to teach you. If they were smart, they would have cross trained and done the knowledge transfer and THEN told her she's got 30 days.
I can honestly say, I don't know that I would teach you how to do my job knowing I've been asked to leave. It's not like she found another job or get promoted to another position, she was laid off and asked to teach someone who makes less and has less knowledge her job. I think I can honestly say, if it were me....you'd be on your own sistah girl! I don't know.... I really struggle with that one there. I'm glad I'm not in that position because I definitely think I'd have a problem doing the right thing.
It's going to take longer than 30 days to find a good job in this economy and right before the holidays too. Who's hiring??
Although it's not your fault she's been asked to leave, you should stop emailing her. Tell your boss to teach you what you need to be doing. Sounds like management didn't handle this one very well. Maybe this is your opportunity to come up with a new process for whatever she was doing.
Good luck.
Answered by Leslie C
Answered by Leslie C
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I think that it is possible that she is just not taking it well with the fact that she figures that she should have the job over you, since she has the degree. But in fact,the reason why they decided to keep you and not her is the fact that they have to pay you less. Just write her an email again, or phone her on her phone line, and let her know that you need to get the help in order to leave. Maybe she figures that it is not her problem since she has been given her notice.
Answered by mtwaites
Answered by mtwaites
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Well I think you need to address the situation face to face. Go and ask her when is an appropriate time for both of you to go over certain things. If this does not work then I would talk to your manager and tell her that she is being uncooperative.
This is not your fault that is they way businesses work. So she needs to suck it up and find a job.
Answered by Cubs Girl
Answered by Cubs Girl
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yes this can be awkward but it sounds like you have started the ball rolling. Maybe invite her out for lunch and express how you feel very awkward and that neither of you expected this to happen. You do need her help and in return would help her anyway you can in her upcoming job search. Maybe there are companies that are clients of yours that might have openings? Do either of you belong to any networking groups? or associations? Do any of your competitors need someone? Unless she has a non-compete agreement. I don't know where you are located but there are usually several resources available to help in job searches.
Answered by Scott R
Answered by Scott R
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talk to your boss and tell him about the situation and see if he can get her to train you and explain you know how she feels but you would value and hints and tips she can give you and see if that helps
Answered by rennickelizabe
Answered by rennickelizabe
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Watch your back! You should have left it alone and fiqured out on your own how to do the work. WHY WOULD SHE want to train you to do her job. Go and watch the Devil Wears Prada.
Answered by Diamondprincess24
Answered by Diamondprincess24
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I understand you have sympathy for her. If she has not responded to you it might be because she's angry that she lost her job. Losing her job to you is a defeat for her. It's not your responsibility that she's gone. If there is something you don't understand, ask your boss or your current co-workers for help. Experience is a process and you will get there too. Your boss has faith that you are better qualified than her. It's not just about the education and the experience she has, but also her character. Don't expect any help from her. you will be decieved.
Answered by bnbalenda
Answered by bnbalenda
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Get your boss to set up training time with her - that shouldn't be your deal. It annoys me that your boss hasn't already talked to her about this!!!
Answered by Suzanne
Answered by Suzanne
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