4 people doing my previous job

[Anonymous]

Before I left my previous company I asked several times for support / resources to manage my heavy workload. Not only were my attempts to find creative solutions thwarted (not to burden others who were better supported), but I have a feeling I was not believed because nothing was slipping through the cracks—except perhaps my well being which these people were obviously blind to.

Anyway, I just found out after I left that 4 people have been assigned to do the work I used to do solo. Wow. I am a female POC. I just read an article that this is typical. POC top contributors are overlooked, underpaid and when they leave they are replaced by multiple people to execute on the same responsibilities.

In my new role, I make it a point to call out POC contributions which are (intentionally or not) recognized. For example, I was on a cal with top level execs where the head of a business unit and her direct report were presenting on a product feature. Her direct (POC) handled EVERYTHING she did not speak once. Afterward in another meeting people were discussing how well the presentation went. I specifically called out the person who did the presentation and I was surprised by the reluctance to recognize his contributions. He did the ENTIRE presentation!

[Anonymous]

4 new hires? Or your work divvied up among 4 existing employees in addition to their own work?

[Anonymous]

What you're probably missing is that those four people are doing your job in addition to their workload. Pretty common to redistribute work to the remaining staff to save on hiring another FTE. Sh*tty but common practice.

[Anonymous]

They probably revised department structure and each of those who were assigned some of your work have significant other responsibilities.

[Anonymous]

I hear you, OP. Female POCs have it the worst, but I observe all women have that problem to some degree. My white, blond, Ivy-educated friend continually needs to advocate for her own achievements in her workplace, otherwise her work literally gets stolen and credited to others (her white male supervisor for the most part). It makes for a stressful and hostile work environment.

[Anonymous]

I’m betting this happens to POC women more and it also happens to white women.

I’ve had white males and females try to take credit for my work. In one case, the white male took credit in a meeting and I stepped in to correct him and explain the concept so all would know who had done the actual work.

I even had a male who resigned message me on LinkedIn to ask for the “achievements we gained together.” That guy only reported analytics on my team’s achievements. He can talk about reporting, but he can’t claim my achievements as his own.

I thought it comical he had to reach out to ask me how to plagiarize what I accomplished.

[Anonymous]

How does one take meaningful steps to change this dynamic vs being angry and frustrated about it?

[Anonymous]

What am I missing? Your work was divided up amongst 4 other people who are doing that on top of their own jobs. Sounds like you were easily replaced if 4 people can pick up the slack of your 1 job.

[Anonymous]

I'm dealing with this now!

No one thinks what I do is that big of a deal because it gets handled and there is typically nothing out of order. I'm literally running a program and overseeing the work of more than 100 people by myself.

I'm FINALLY getting my recognition, but this is after 8 years and multiple white women in my department being promoted to higher positions.

[Anonymous]

I think staff are often confused a bit. I had this problem when younger.

I hired a very bright guy I hired on my own as I recommended him to HR who was super good at his job and he managed the staff beneath him very well. Lot smarter than me and a better worker.

But why shouldn’t I take credit his work I hired him, I paid him well, I managed to keep him happy 10 years, taking credit for your bosses work is wrong but staff you hired not so much

[Anonymous]

"Staff" — you’re funny.

[Anonymous]

Happened to a former office manager I worked with. She did a lot of the hr functions. Was overloaded, repeatedly asked for help, got none. When she left they had to hire two people to take over her duties. I think it’s more about being competent and not failing at your job. A lot of people in management are very short-sighted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Staff" — you’re funny.

What is the new term?

[Anonymous]

All “Hands”

[Anonymous]

nobody gives a fuk … but it’s cool we met the actual person who works the hardest.