BG: Big Boss is on vacation. Prior to vacation, she told us to take orders from CoWorker (CW), who is the most sr. person and would be filling in as Big Boss. CW knows her stuff, but can be impossible to get a straight answer on how to do something from. Worse, she's a micromanager who forgets her directives to you 3 minutes later- I follow up every verbal instruction with an email to confirm to cover my butt. We'd also been told to take instructions from new CoWorker (NCW, and incidentally, Big Boss's best friend) as if they were from Big Boss. NCW is smart, experienced generally, and has been here all of 2 months. End BG
Weeks ago I did an assignment that I thought did not belong in our section. Word has come down from on high that it is to be transferred to another section. NCW directed me this morning to do the recommending memo to her and CW and include the transfer letter and closing report.
Closing reports are generally done by support staff- I've never done one. Ask NCW about that, if I should contact one of the support people who handle these things (dunno if she's had a closing report yet, might not know, email very polite and deferential). Get one line back from NCW, saying basically "No, do it yourself" and indicating that was a directive from someone else (Big Boss, CW, idk) Ok. Email support staff, ask for their template, copy CW on it (she regularly supervises support staff).
Before starting recommendation, email CW asking if I should use the format we use for other kinds of memos that are similar, but distinctly seperate operations. Mention I have not done one like this before, ask if there's another format she'd prefer. CW's response (with NCW cc'ed)- any questions should go through NCW since she gave me the assignment. Whaa? Remember, NCW has been here all of 2 months, CW has been here over 6 years, and neither NCW nor I have had a transfer memo assignment in this section (CW has been here long enough to at least have SEEN prior transfer memos and say yes or no).
I feel like I'm getting the run around. Who is on first? Go to the person who passed on the assignment, or go to the person with experience? (and who has previously stated she is "mentoring" me and to come to her with questions). Side note- CW sent an email this morning that she wants 5 specific people done with tutorials for a new system by tomorrow. I'm amongst those 5. It wasn't till I inquired that it was determined I'd been left off the email with the original link to the tutorial videos.
Now to email NCW with the same question I asked CW...I'm going to need a new "bang head here" sign.