How I do back out of this in a professional manner?

[LurkingInNC]

Originally posted by: jtvang125
About a month ago my assistant director/programmer tossed the task of maintaining our SQL Server database onto my lap even though I have no database programming experience. Although creating and maintaining databases isn't exactly programming I've never enjoy programming and I'm not enjoying this either. It's boring me to tears that I can't even work on this for 10-15 minutes before I start falling asleep.

So today before our weekly training I'm going to let him know that I honestly don't think I'm the right person for the task. I've already discussed it briefly with my supervisor (director) about it and he assured me that I don't have to do anything I don't feel comfortable with doing or that is not within my scope.

I'm a bit confused as to your organizational management structure. What's the reporting relationship between you, the assistant director (and presumably not your supervisor) who assigned you the DB duties you're uncomfortable with, and your supervisor (director) who says he supports you?

On the surface, seems like this may not be as big a deal as many are implying (unless you have a really ineffective supervisor or there is something different about the reporting structure than one would imply from the info you've given). Actually, it seems like it might be a different issue than what most are discussing here. More about tact/ politics/ relationships than about 'rebellion' leading to potential job change (voluntary or otherwise, lol).

edit: changed "career change" to "job change"

 

[Mxylplyx]

Originally posted by: jtvang125

Originally posted by: yllus
What is your actual position, exactly? A lot depends on what you're meant to do and how outside the scope this responsibility is for you.

I'd make sure to state that although you don't have any prior database experience, you thought it would be an interesting area to explore and gain education within, but that it simply isn't working out for you, and that you think it serves everyone's best interests to have the tasks delegated to someone more suitable.

A lot of posters here have this odd mentality that whatever the boss says is law, but that's bunk. I've been asked to do some work outside my general scope in the past, and I've straight up said no and stated that I would be horrible/slow at those tasks, or that I'm too busy. Some disappointment may initially occur, but an employer isn't going to fire you for not doing something that you weren't supposed to do anyways. On the other hand, if you take on this role and do badly at it, that's going to reflect on your overall performance no matter what. Better to nip it in the bud.

Thanks for the great advice. Currently I'm doing all the desktop and basic phone support for about 150 onsite employees and 50 remotely. This is what I got my degree in and enjoy doing. Programming on the other hand is a totally different story.

Wow, you are presented with an avenue from desktop support to programming/database work, and you turn it down? I didnt even know they did degrees in desktop support.