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jennika
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« on: July 18, 2011, 05:48:58 pm » |
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Ack, my co worker had a pre mature baby, (thank god her and the baby are doing well, it was right on the "early but ok to have date, just more premature work wise!). Her maternity replacement came in today and it is my task to train her, but I really have no idea what my co-worker does! I will go over the company policies but does anyone have any suggestions on how to train someone when you have no idea what this person does? I wonder if I call my co-worker if she would be cool with that, I do have to congratulate her .. just talking a bit of work doesn't sound right!
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chikky
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« Reply #1 on: July 18, 2011, 07:08:44 pm » |
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Hi Jennika,
Yes, you do have to call her (but first congrat on the baby). Was she planning on maternity leave? Who does she support and what needs to be done and what can wait? Like sending her manager on a upcoming trip or revamping the filing system that can wait upon her return. Is she returning? I have so many questions that I would ask. I would give you my crystal ball, but it is not working right now.
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chikky
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« Reply #2 on: July 18, 2011, 07:10:49 pm » |
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Hi Jennika,
Rereading my post, I did not mean to sound sarcastic. Just my thoughts.
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gee4
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« Reply #3 on: July 19, 2011, 07:53:37 am » |
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First of all, no matter when this person was due to give birth/go off on maternity leave, it is clear nothing was planned for her absence.
Forward planning is part of our daily routine.
If I was the temp coming in to cover this maternity leave, I wouldn't be overly motivated to remain in the role if no one had planned for my arrival, let alone my workload.
How can you train the temp when you have no idea what this other person did? Why have you been lumbered? I suggest you speak to your line manager or HR and have them make a decision. This is just as bad as my HR department here, and anywhere else I have worked. It's call poor management.
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Katie G
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« Reply #4 on: July 19, 2011, 03:44:32 pm » |
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Hi Jennika!
Unless you've been cross-trained in your co-worker's duties, there's no realistic way you can effectively train the temp. (Would you want to be taught how to drive by someone who's never driven themselves?)
General policies and procedures are a good place to start, but if I were in your shoes, I'd stop at that point and have the two of you sit down with your coworker's manager and see where to go from there. As in, what are the top priorities that need to get done and whether or not it might be okay to contact the coworker at home with any questions.
And keep YOUR manager informed to keep yourself protected. Odds are, SOMETHING is going to go awry with this situation and you don't want the finger of blame being pointed at you for not training the temp.
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msmarieh
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« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2011, 03:15:45 pm » |
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I would talk to your co-workers manager about what your co-workers duties were and how to go about providing training, before I would contact the co-worker directly.
However, yes, it does seem surprising that nothing appears to have been prepared for this (even if the baby did arrive a little earlier than expected).
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