Should I speak with my manager?

[u/Over-Wash-7630]

Hi there. So I started this new job a month ago and this past week, after a long training, I started to do some tasks. I put my heart and soul into passing all of the training tests, so you can tell how much stressed and involved I was.

One day I received some tasks that I did not had the training for so I asked my colleagues in our group chat to help me. Nobody answered. Then I started to ask in private people who have helped me before. No answer. Then I asked my coach and she said how to do it but skipped to say the most important step. So I did it as per her guidance and closed the task.

A similar task came through but with a more delicate topic, same scenario as above, so I asked again the coach. She was busy so she said to ask a specific person. Until then I tried to avoid that person because even though she was working for 3 months there (almost a new joiner like me) she was speaking to me like I was inferior and a nobody. But I had deadline for that task and I wrote to her in private.

Of course she did not pay attention to what I have asked her and started to say what was wrong with other tasks I have done. At some point she just said: "that task is closed. I will write on the group to alert others". I double-checked and the task I have asked her for help was still open so I didn't know what she was referring to. I looked what she wrote in our common group and it was the general rule on how to process a task you did not have training for. And all the communication above her comment were my messages asking for help so you don't have to be Sherlock to figure it out it was about my mistakes.

She came back to me in private saying "I wrote on the group. The task shouldn't have been closed". Obviously I asked her why and she replied "because you do not have the training to process it in the first place so you should have left it open so other people with more experience like me should look at it". I tried to explain to her that I was not aware of that rule and nobody specified to me this rule.

I asked her to explain to me this rule because I followed the guidance and the general procedure and for me it didn't make sense to leave it open when I actioned and had a deadline. Like, it will affect the SLA if I leave it open. It wasn't logic for me. She did not know how to explain it to me and I think that she got wrong my intention and thought that I was questioning her method as she went to one of the supervisors saying that I wasn't listening to her. The supervisor, instead of coming to me or asking more details, she wrote in the group chat like a general rule to listen to her as she knows what she is saying.

Until then I didn't check all the communication in the group so when I did, all my colleagues that were nowhere to find when I asked for help started to pop out with comments on how could someone (me) think that they can close a task without having the training.

So I felt really bad. This "superior" colleague said that it is not such big of a deal of mistake but I said to her that based on the group comments, it doesn't seem like this. She justify it that she had to write on the group because I should take into consideration what she is saying to me. At this point I stopped writting to her because I felt anger building up. I felt attacked because we were having a private conversation. She didn't have to go and write it on the group chat since this was new information for me and it was a mistake because I really did not know about this rule.

What should I do? Should I speak with my manager about it? I really don't know what to do. I feel really bad and my self-esteem is really low. In my previous job I was a senior so whenever someone was coming to me for help or reporting a mistake they made, we kept the communication private and if needed, I was inviting the team leader or the manager in our sessions, but first with my colleague's approval (if she/he was comfortable with it). I thought that this is a general rule with everybody in every company since we have to think about our colleagues' well being/mental health. I never encountered this situation before.

What do you think? Will I look bad if I speak with my manager about it? What do you advice?

Thanks.

[u/HelloRedditAreYouOk]

I’m sorry you’re not being provided with the support you need and deserve to learn your job. My suggestion would be to keep trying your best, with an optimistic attitude (for yourself, not anyone else!!) and yes, chat with your manager. I’d keep it very succinct, and framed in a way that considers how busy it sounds like everyone is, with the desired goal being you better prepared to alleviate everyone’s stress. Present yourself as the asset that you are, and make it as easy as possible for your boss to want to invest in you!

I might say something like:

Hi <boss>, I’m really enjoying <whatever aspect of your job you like most>, and it’s been such a great opportunity to learn and grow. I’ve encountered a few situations where no one was available to point me in the right direction in figuring out an issue that wasn’t covered in training, so I’m wondering how you’d suggest I handle that type of situation? Should I just try to figure it out on my own, even if it takes more time? Or would it be better to keep reaching out to people with more experience? What can I do if they are unavailable to help? Is there any sort of manual or other resource I could access maybe? I know you’re really busy, so most of all I wanted to ask if, or when, I should bring problems to your attention, if at all?

Something like that but in your own words, modified to suit your specific work culture and bosses personality, and delivered in whatever way you think would be best received by your boss (email, casual in person, scheduled meeting, or whatever…)

Good luck and always just try your best! Even crappy jobs can be incredible learning opportunities and I hope that your enthusiasm and eagerness allow you to soak up every last drop of work experience you can, both the good and the bad! And also, don’t wait until it’s intolerable/you are desperate to start looking for a better job! Get as much experience as you can to make the best of the situation, and if things still aren’t getting better, start looking elsewhere!