IT people: when boss keeps adding stuff to your plate

[KrillBee]

I was supposed to a Helpdesk and Desktop support person where I am working at currently which was what I agreed to do in my contract. My contract was only supposed to be short term, but I've stuck around since they need me and I still need work.

Unfortunately I've seen a gradual adding of responsibilities being dumped on my shoulders. Lately they've made me the point person in charge of backup, when I know nothing about backup or the system they are having me use. I don't know hardly a thing about unix, SANs, Tivoli, or any of this stuff. Nor do I have a desire to learn this.

Seeing as I'm only a contractor and I've already stayed well past my end date, I could walk out any time. But I think it would be a lot better if I just told my boss that I don't want to do backup. But I dont know how to say this in a way to him that doesnt sound selfish. I'm alright with losing my job, even though I dont have another job picked out yet (Ive been too busy working)

Any advice?

 

[TheoPetro]

umm you could grow a pair and just come out and talk to your boss? I guess thats too logical though.

 

[ric1287]

"i have no idea how to use this backup system, and dont know if you want me to be in charge of somthing so important"

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

If you want to continue with those things: Tell your boss you need training for these things, backups are very important and in order to keep you as an employee, he needs to do something.

If you don't want to continue these things: Explain to him why you joined and ask if there's something that can be done.

Do you want to stay at the helpdesk level or move up to something else? This is a chance to move onto other things, however he should be paying accordingly too.

 

[ahurtt]

Tell them you need training for this stuff. They will probably say it isn't in budget. Get it in writing. Bork up a backup or something really bad and loose some really valuable data. When they fire you at least you'll be able to say I told you so.

 

[mryellow2]

Basically what everyone else said. Document emails, keep track of records etc. If he doesn't want to shell out for formal training and a pay raise take a hike. Do NOT intentionally bork something.

 

[bwatson283]

Tell your contracting company that they are giving more than the scope you are suppose to be doing!

 

[child of wonder]

You'll find this is very common in the IT field. Most companies view IT as a financial blackhole so they want to spend the lowest amount possible.

Just wait until people quit/get fired and instead of hiring someone to replace them, their responsibilities just get heaped on you and everyone else.

Meanwhile your boss, his boss, etc. all get fat bonuses for a job well done increasing the company's profit margin.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: ahurtt
Tell them you need training for this stuff. They will probably say it isn't in budget. Get it in writing. Bork up a backup or something really bad and loose some really valuable data. When they fire you at least you'll be able to say I told you so.

If he says this, then he needs to reevaluate things. Empower the employee, and teach them through coaching, mentoring, technical classes, having books available, etc. It *will* pay off down the road.

 

[Fritzo]

When I did contracting, I would charge extra for extra duties. Not sure what your contract says though. if you didn't specify your job duties, you're screwed. They could have you sweeping floors if they wanted.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: child of wonder
You'll find this is very common in the IT field. Most companies view IT as a financial blackhole so they want to spend the lowest amount possible.

Just wait until people quit/get fired and instead of hiring someone to replace them, their responsibilities just get heaped on you and everyone else.

Meanwhile your boss, his boss, etc. all get fat bonuses for a job well done increasing the company's profit margin.

Most IT organizations still have a lot of maturing to do, they don't really know how things should be done and unfortunately, most are too unwilling to change. Even if they are told what is right, they'll refuse to do it. People in IT should be ready to adapt new technology, tools, and ways of doing things, otherwise you'll be left behind in the dust.

 

[Linux23]

take a dump on your bosses desk and tell him "look, i've just added something onto your plate now."

with a big

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: KrillBee
I was supposed to a Helpdesk and Desktop support person where I am working at currently which was what I agreed to do in my contract. My contract was only supposed to be short term, but I've stuck around since they need me and I still need work.

Unfortunately I've seen a gradual adding of responsibilities being dumped on my shoulders. Lately they've made me the point person in charge of backup, when I know nothing about backup or the system they are having me use. I don't know hardly a thing about unix, SANs, Tivoli, or any of this stuff. Nor do I have a desire to learn this.

Seeing as I'm only a contractor and I've already stayed well past my end date, I could walk out any time. But I think it would be a lot better if I just told my boss that I don't want to do backup. But I dont know how to say this in a way to him that doesnt sound selfish. I'm alright with losing my job, even though I dont have another job picked out yet (Ive been too busy working)

Any advice?

how about "i have no idea how to reliably back up your system with the tools you use, I think it would be better to find someone else to do it".

that sounds pretty normal, and its honest enough that he cant really say ****** about it. mebbe he will offer to send you for training, and it will lead to a better position with their company.

 

[spidey07]

Why not use this opportunity to increase your skills and knowledge and helping your career so that you can move up and out of the helpdesk hellhole?

More responsibility is always a good thing.

 

[yowolabi]

You're perfectly within your rights to say, "I don't know anything about this stuff and I don't feel comfortable doing it without a complete understanding of it.

On a side note, why the hell wouldn't you want to learn any of this stuff. If you plan on carrying on with an IT career at all, it will be invaluable to have actually done this stuff on the job. This will definitely be the difference between you getting a better job and being stuck at the level you're at.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Originally posted by: child of wonder
You'll find this is very common in the IT field. Most companies view IT as a financial blackhole so they want to spend the lowest amount possible.

Exactly. IT is generally a support department. They produce nothing, therefore, any reduction in costs improves the bottom line.

Amazing how shortsighted managers and owners are sometimes.

During some work a while back I asked a client who does their backups. They said their computer guy used to, but he wasn't there and they didn't replace him. I asked where the server was. No one knew. They found a register girl that is responsible for the back ups.

I asked her where she got the tapes from. She opened the closet where the server was. She said she pushes the button to pop the tape out and puts another in.

I asked if she verifies what was backed up, and just gave me a dumb look. I then asked the password to the server. She didn't know, neither did anyone else.

Asked the managers how they verify the tapes are any good, and what they would do if the building burned and they needed to restore the tape. All they could say was "That girl changes the tape each night though!"

Not a mom & pop store, but a retail place with multiple locations doing several million a year in sales.

Anyways, long story but there is a point...document everything. If that place burns and they don't get their data back, they could sue me for not telling them the consequences before hand. I made notes and sent some information by mail to cover myself comes up.

Document that the guy wants you to do backups for which you aren't qualified. He could claim you knew he relied on you for backups, and since you were still working and getting paid...you are the computer guy, you shoulda had it taken care of.

 

[EMPshockwave82]

Originally posted by: ric1287
"i have no idea how to use this backup system, and dont know if you want me to be in charge of somthing so important"

"I have no idea how to use this backup system, and without training dont feel comfortable in being in charge of such a responsability"

sounds a little better

 

[TheNinja]

Why don't you want to learn about any of those things? I would say "I would be more than willing to do those things, however I am not totally comfortable with them. Could I get a little training on these items first?"

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: ric1287
"i have no idea how to use this backup system, and dont know if you want me to be in charge of somthing so important"

Bingo, and I would also add...

"Do you feel it is worthwhile for me to drop a few of the other things I am doing in order to devote my undivided attention to this"

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

OP - nothing towards you at all with this, I think it's incidents like this that make you realize an organization is doomed if they hand backups to someone who doesn't have experience with it, training, or even a desire to do it. The fact that his boss doesn't know any better makes me wonder how much longer they'll all survive.

 

[Mr Pickles]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
OP - nothing towards you at all with this, I think it's incidents like this that make you realize an organization is doomed if they hand backups to someone who doesn't have experience with it, training, or even a desire to do it. The fact that his boss doesn't know any better makes me wonder how much longer they'll all survive.

Anky it doesn't sound like this person is working for an IT company. It actually sounds like he's working for a firm. OP - Who is your daddy and what does he do? It's a little extravagant to say the company is doomed because they stretch an IT resource. Granted, backups should be numero uno, but in all reality it would probably take a day's training to figure out and 3 weeks to conquer.

A lot of companies do this. I hear from friends all the time from different companies saying that they are always being put in charge of new applciations or heading new tasks that they previously didnt have any knowledge on. I'm helpdesk for a financial company, before I started I was an independent web hosting company that didn't know sh*t. In 6 mos. I was in charge of all workstation image creation, intranet web design updates, and... invoices!

The difference is that I had the training and that's where it sounds like your boss falls short. Rather than man up and tell him you don't want this much of an uneducated load, fess up and tell him that you need some training from someone, somehow, before you take on the work. Telling your boss you dont want to do something because you don't know how doesnt sound like its brownie-pointable.

My question for OP is are you sure you are interested in HD or DT support? Not being interested in learning different technology sounds odd for someone, even a contracted emp.

 

[KrillBee]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
If you want to continue with those things: Tell your boss you need training for these things, backups are very important and in order to keep you as an employee, he needs to do something.

If you don't want to continue these things: Explain to him why you joined and ask if there's something that can be done.

Do you want to stay at the helpdesk level or move up to something else? This is a chance to move onto other things, however he should be paying accordingly too.

I would prefer to stay at the Helpdesk level if moving up means having major responsibility and possibly having to spend nights at work trying to fix servers or things like that when they go down. or backup problems, etc.

So really I dont want training for the backup system, I dont want to do it period.

Originally posted by: bwatson283
Tell your contracting company that they are giving more than the scope you are suppose to be doing!

True. I'm not sure how well that will sit with them when I remind them of that, but it needs to be said.

Originally posted by: Fritzo
When I did contracting, I would charge extra for extra duties. Not sure what your contract says though. if you didn't specify your job duties, you're screwed. They could have you sweeping floors if they wanted.

The job duties were specified. Originally I was only supposed to be there for 2 weeks to help break-down, recycle, and dispose of electronic waste, and help with some desktop support tickets. I've been there for 3 months now.

Originally posted by: hanoverphist

how about "i have no idea how to reliably back up your system with the tools you use, I think it would be better to find someone else to do it".

that sounds pretty normal, and its honest enough that he cant really say ****** about it. mebbe he will offer to send you for training, and it will lead to a better position with their company.

Im not sure it would be a 'better position' if i were in charge of servers that if backed up improperly, I could go to jail. also its just too much of a hassle.

Originally posted by: spidey07
Why not use this opportunity to increase your skills and knowledge and helping your career so that you can move up and out of the helpdesk hellhole?

More responsibility is always a good thing.

i dont see it as a hell hole. It feels good being able to go home at the end of the day knowing that im not on call.

more responsibility is not always a good thing.

Originally posted by: yowolabi
You're perfectly within your rights to say, "I don't know anything about this stuff and I don't feel comfortable doing it without a complete understanding of it.

On a side note, why the hell wouldn't you want to learn any of this stuff. If you plan on carrying on with an IT career at all, it will be invaluable to have actually done this stuff on the job. This will definitely be the difference between you getting a better job and being stuck at the level you're at.

its not necessarily better to have more headaches on your plate. See what I wrote in the above comments.

Originally posted by: MrLee

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
OP - nothing towards you at all with this, I think it's incidents like this that make you realize an organization is doomed if they hand backups to someone who doesn't have experience with it, training, or even a desire to do it. The fact that his boss doesn't know any better makes me wonder how much longer they'll all survive.

Anky it doesn't sound like this person is working for an IT company. It actually sounds like he's working for a firm. OP - Who is your daddy and what does he do? It's a little extravagant to say the company is doomed because they stretch an IT resource. Granted, backups should be numero uno, but in all reality it would probably take a day's training to figure out and 3 weeks to conquer.

A lot of companies do this. I hear from friends all the time from different companies saying that they are always being put in charge of new applciations or heading new tasks that they previously didnt have any knowledge on. I'm helpdesk for a financial company, before I started I was an independent web hosting company that didn't know sh*t. In 6 mos. I was in charge of all workstation image creation, intranet web design updates, and... invoices!

The difference is that I had the training and that's where it sounds like your boss falls short. Rather than man up and tell him you don't want this much of an uneducated load, fess up and tell him that you need some training from someone, somehow, before you take on the work. Telling your boss you dont want to do something because you don't know how doesnt sound like its brownie-pointable.

My question for OP is are you sure you are interested in HD or DT support? Not being interested in learning different technology sounds odd for someone, even a contracted emp.

I happen to work in the IT department for a college of about 2000 students.

I am interested in HD and DT support but I just really dont want to be so involved in a department that I have to stay late, but in extra hours, or be extremely stressed out because servers or backup or the network isnt functioning, etc.

 

[sdifox]

Have a bunch of Big post-it pads (those that are for meetings) and just keep writing tasks on it. Stick it to outside of cubicle/office. Cross off the ones that are done. If you run out off cubicle wall/ office, request more wall space

 

[TheKub]

Originally posted by: KrillBee
Im not sure it would be a 'better position' if i were in charge of servers that if backed up improperly, I could go to jail. also its just too much of a hassle.

Um.. I don't think you can go to jail for messing up at work. If that was the case 50% of the US population would be in jail. If you intentionally deleted the servers and backup, then maybe they could do something.

 

[TreyRandom]

Originally posted by: KrillBee
I am interested in HD and DT support but I just really dont want to be so involved in a department that I have to stay late, but in extra hours, or be extremely stressed out because servers or backup or the network isnt functioning, etc.

So what you're saying is that you never want to move out of being in a help desk tech role, right?

It's a shame, really. I know techs who would cut off their right arm to be given the opportunity to advance that you have sitting right in front of you.