How do I explain my sub-par work performance to my employer during call?
June 18, 2017 7:57 AM Subscribe
I was recently assigned my first project for a job in a field I very much want to break into. It turns out, however, that this project was beyond my current ability level, and I have been unable to rise to the occasion - i.e. finish, and produce quality work. So I am going into a call tomorrow in which I believe I might be fired or demoted, or at least be told to explain what happened and give reasons as to why I should be paid for the work I did. Please help me state my case. (Snowflakes inside)
Foreword: This is a remote position; I am working from home.
The job in question involves I was told at the start that the project was “urgent.” The project involves translating an industry-specific technical document into English. I am fluent in the language, but made it clear at the outset that I had no experience or knowledge in the field and would have to put a lot of work in order to get to a point where I was fully up to speed. I was under the impression that we both understood this lack of experience, and that I would be given ample time for this first project... neither of these turned out to be the case.
Here is what happened, from my perspective:
1. I tried to make it as clear as possible during the interview that I was completely new to this industry; he ensured me that I could take my time and would have all the support I need.
2. The first project was scheduled to be a non-urgent document which looked to be within my ability level. He asked me if I could handle it, and I told him that I believed I could.
3. He nixed that all of a sudden, and told me to instead start on a substantially more difficult document, in a format I have never worked in. He said it was urgent, and was quite insistent that I get started right away and give him a timeframe for finishing it. This time, he didn't ask whether or not I could handle it.
4. My intuition told me that this would not turn out well, so I sent him an email voicing my concerns - I made sure to mention that I was uncomfortable giving a timeframe as I had never done this type of work, and that I might not be able to meet his expectations if this was to be my first project. He told me to get to work on it anyway.
5. I worked on it, a lot. Going was slow. Maybe a week later, he asked me again to give a timeframe, and I again said that I was uncomfortable as there was so much to learn. He pushed and said I should be showing more "swag," and I said okay, "two-to-four weeks. He said try to make it two.
6. Worked more, a lot. I told him that I was not happy with the quality of my translation at this point, as there was so much I still needed to double-check. He said he would be “disappointed” if I couldn’t complete it in the timeframe to which I thought “What the fuck, this is my first project!” but to which I replied “I’ll do my best.”
7. Started making good progress. Became optimistic that I might be able to finish a draft by this last Friday (and made the mistake of telling him that.).
8. Didn’t finish. Sent what I had on Friday, which I know to be an extremely sloppy translation as I have had to play catch-up the whole time and don’t even have time to look up terms or double-check answers anymore. I apologized and recommended he not send this version to the client.
9. Haven’t heard back yet. I am planning on calling him on Monday, and am not looking forward to it. I am quite stressed over the whole situation.
This is the first time I will be put in a position where I am thinking I might be fired, which I believe would be completely unjustifiable - I have been working 60-plus hours per week and getting paid for under 40 (I am okay with this part, since I am being paid per word, not per hour I translate, not per hour.)
During this call, I am worried I will get emotionally flustered and either:
a. Shut down and be unable to communicate effectively (Has happened in the past),
b. Go overboard and make it clear that I’m probably as frustrated with him as he is with me, and for the most part blame *him* over how the situation turned out, as he pushed this assignment on me despite my repeatedly telling him that I was uncomfortable with it. I worked as quickly as I possibly could in the time I was given, and this was not a suitable first project for me. I wish I was more adamant in turning it down, but he made it seem like I didn't have much of a choice.
I *cannot* afford to lose this job at this point as it is the type of opportunity to break into my field that I very well might never run into again.
As for the boss: He is a wild card to me at this point. He was very fair in the negotiations and for the most part has been pleasant in our talks up to this point (despite what I have described), but I n the last phone call we had he conveyed to me that he was not happy as his client was noticing errors in the partial translations, to which I thought “why is he giving them partial translations of a document I told him was incomplete and not ready?” I get the feeling that the client he is having me do this for is breathing down his neck, and he is taking his frustration out on me.
Please help me, MeFites: How do I talk down my boss? How do I convince him to give me a second chance, and how do I help him to understand that the biggest mistake made in this project was in assigning it to me despite my hesitance? I need to figure out a way to do this diplomatically without make it sound like I'm throwing him under the bus, or just making excuses for myself. I couldn't have put more effort into this project.
Foreword: This is a remote position; I am working from home.
The job in question involves I was told at the start that the project was “urgent.” The project involves translating an industry-specific technical document into English. I am fluent in the language, but made it clear at the outset that I had no experience or knowledge in the field and would have to put a lot of work in order to get to a point where I was fully up to speed. I was under the impression that we both understood this lack of experience, and that I would be given ample time for this first project... neither of these turned out to be the case.
Here is what happened, from my perspective:
1. I tried to make it as clear as possible during the interview that I was completely new to this industry; he ensured me that I could take my time and would have all the support I need.
2. The first project was scheduled to be a non-urgent document which looked to be within my ability level. He asked me if I could handle it, and I told him that I believed I could.
3. He nixed that all of a sudden, and told me to instead start on a substantially more difficult document, in a format I have never worked in. He said it was urgent, and was quite insistent that I get started right away and give him a timeframe for finishing it. This time, he didn't ask whether or not I could handle it.
4. My intuition told me that this would not turn out well, so I sent him an email voicing my concerns - I made sure to mention that I was uncomfortable giving a timeframe as I had never done this type of work, and that I might not be able to meet his expectations if this was to be my first project. He told me to get to work on it anyway.
5. I worked on it, a lot. Going was slow. Maybe a week later, he asked me again to give a timeframe, and I again said that I was uncomfortable as there was so much to learn. He pushed and said I should be showing more "swag," and I said okay, "two-to-four weeks. He said try to make it two.
6. Worked more, a lot. I told him that I was not happy with the quality of my translation at this point, as there was so much I still needed to double-check. He said he would be “disappointed” if I couldn’t complete it in the timeframe to which I thought “What the fuck, this is my first project!” but to which I replied “I’ll do my best.”
7. Started making good progress. Became optimistic that I might be able to finish a draft by this last Friday (and made the mistake of telling him that.).
8. Didn’t finish. Sent what I had on Friday, which I know to be an extremely sloppy translation as I have had to play catch-up the whole time and don’t even have time to look up terms or double-check answers anymore. I apologized and recommended he not send this version to the client.
9. Haven’t heard back yet. I am planning on calling him on Monday, and am not looking forward to it. I am quite stressed over the whole situation.
This is the first time I will be put in a position where I am thinking I might be fired, which I believe would be completely unjustifiable - I have been working 60-plus hours per week and getting paid for under 40 (I am okay with this part, since I am being paid per word, not per hour I translate, not per hour.)
During this call, I am worried I will get emotionally flustered and either:
a. Shut down and be unable to communicate effectively (Has happened in the past),
b. Go overboard and make it clear that I’m probably as frustrated with him as he is with me, and for the most part blame *him* over how the situation turned out, as he pushed this assignment on me despite my repeatedly telling him that I was uncomfortable with it. I worked as quickly as I possibly could in the time I was given, and this was not a suitable first project for me. I wish I was more adamant in turning it down, but he made it seem like I didn't have much of a choice.
I *cannot* afford to lose this job at this point as it is the type of opportunity to break into my field that I very well might never run into again.
As for the boss: He is a wild card to me at this point. He was very fair in the negotiations and for the most part has been pleasant in our talks up to this point (despite what I have described), but I n the last phone call we had he conveyed to me that he was not happy as his client was noticing errors in the partial translations, to which I thought “why is he giving them partial translations of a document I told him was incomplete and not ready?” I get the feeling that the client he is having me do this for is breathing down his neck, and he is taking his frustration out on me.
Please help me, MeFites: How do I talk down my boss? How do I convince him to give me a second chance, and how do I help him to understand that the biggest mistake made in this project was in assigning it to me despite my hesitance? I need to figure out a way to do this diplomatically without make it sound like I'm throwing him under the bus, or just making excuses for myself. I couldn't have put more effort into this project.
My sympathies. :( I don't have much to offer, I personally believe you're justified in feeling frustrated, because this really wasn't what you signed on for, and you've already expressed deep reservations.
I'd just document everything, as you have here, and keep that handy for tomorrow. It's worth pointing out that you DID mention that this was out of your depth. I feel as though you were being unfairly pressured, under the circumstances.
posted by Alensin at 9:23 AM on June 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'd just document everything, as you have here, and keep that handy for tomorrow. It's worth pointing out that you DID mention that this was out of your depth. I feel as though you were being unfairly pressured, under the circumstances.
posted by Alensin at 9:23 AM on June 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
Is the advice to grab the boss by the shirt collar and ask him why he is so aggressively sabotaging your working relationship helpful at all?
First off, get that tail out from between your legs. Go into problem-solving mode. Assume that the call is to mutually solve this problem and get out from under this urgent deadline. I think the advice to send you some previously translated and accepted material is a good one. Be frank, "I've spent well over 60 hours trying to get up to speed on this 'urgent' deadline and I'm doing my best but at this point we need to pull back a little bit and see how we can get this finished at a high quality."
Don't let this boss bully you into taking blame for loading you with an impossible task. There's a certain caliber of manager that loves to do that – they can be toxic to work for. People who want things quick, good and cheap are terrible bosses. Everyone should know by now that they only get to pick two of the three attributes. He got quick and cheap.
You need to find your way between (a) and (b). The answer there is to go into problem-solving mode. So the client has seen a partial – get as much feedback as you can from this. They must send some examples that you can review and then, frankly, the deadline either needs to be extended or the scope needs to change. You, at this early stage, need more time to work and more room for feedback because that is the deal you negotiated and that is the current state of your skills and availability.
Good luck. My last job, I went with (b) and it was the right thing to do and I moved on to other things because the environment was terrible. Hopefully, you'll be able to thread the needle but then stick to your guns and do the process that was agreed to. You might put out feelers for other work, though. My gut doesn't like or trust this guy.
posted by amanda at 9:44 AM on June 18, 2017 [13 favorites]
First off, get that tail out from between your legs. Go into problem-solving mode. Assume that the call is to mutually solve this problem and get out from under this urgent deadline. I think the advice to send you some previously translated and accepted material is a good one. Be frank, "I've spent well over 60 hours trying to get up to speed on this 'urgent' deadline and I'm doing my best but at this point we need to pull back a little bit and see how we can get this finished at a high quality."
Don't let this boss bully you into taking blame for loading you with an impossible task. There's a certain caliber of manager that loves to do that – they can be toxic to work for. People who want things quick, good and cheap are terrible bosses. Everyone should know by now that they only get to pick two of the three attributes. He got quick and cheap.
You need to find your way between (a) and (b). The answer there is to go into problem-solving mode. So the client has seen a partial – get as much feedback as you can from this. They must send some examples that you can review and then, frankly, the deadline either needs to be extended or the scope needs to change. You, at this early stage, need more time to work and more room for feedback because that is the deal you negotiated and that is the current state of your skills and availability.
Good luck. My last job, I went with (b) and it was the right thing to do and I moved on to other things because the environment was terrible. Hopefully, you'll be able to thread the needle but then stick to your guns and do the process that was agreed to. You might put out feelers for other work, though. My gut doesn't like or trust this guy.
posted by amanda at 9:44 AM on June 18, 2017 [13 favorites]
Reframe (b) in your head. It's not "blaming him," it's "calmly explaining the factors and reminding him of the agreements." But as amanda points out, you need to go beyond that -- focus on his problem (that he needs to satisfy this client) and how you can solve that.
The "it's not my fault, I told you I couldn't do this up front" approach ultimately isn't going to help you much. I mean, it'd be valid (sucky, but honest) for him to say "you're right, it's my fault, I made the mistake while hiring you of thinking that we had time for you to learn on the job. But things changed, and now we don't, so we need to let you go and hire someone who is already up to speed." At the end of the day, if he's coming in ready to say "we need someone already at a higher skill level," there's not much you can do. I think your only hope in that case would be to explain (if this is true) that every [software] has specialized terminology that translators need to calibrate, and that letting you go now should mean hiring someone who still has to start that calibration process, so the fastest route to having a skilled translator is to let you finish.
posted by salvia at 10:26 AM on June 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
The "it's not my fault, I told you I couldn't do this up front" approach ultimately isn't going to help you much. I mean, it'd be valid (sucky, but honest) for him to say "you're right, it's my fault, I made the mistake while hiring you of thinking that we had time for you to learn on the job. But things changed, and now we don't, so we need to let you go and hire someone who is already up to speed." At the end of the day, if he's coming in ready to say "we need someone already at a higher skill level," there's not much you can do. I think your only hope in that case would be to explain (if this is true) that every [software] has specialized terminology that translators need to calibrate, and that letting you go now should mean hiring someone who still has to start that calibration process, so the fastest route to having a skilled translator is to let you finish.
posted by salvia at 10:26 AM on June 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
Throw it back at him because it IS his fault. He told the client he had am expert on board and he didn't. Then offer a solution: get him a full draft by x date that he can take to a more highly paid expert for finalization or whatever. Make that someone you know who understands the situation that won't badmouthing you. Of the boss doesn't agree then QUIT. Say, I'm sorry but the terms have changed and I cannot/ do not work under those terms/ cannot meet the new deadline due to other project commitments. Period.
Yes a bad project manager. It's his fault. Be explicit that the problem here is the way it was managed, changing timelines etc. Record the convo if possible or at least be sure to casually being up the dilemma to neutral third parties to cover your own butt. He probably hears this kind of thing all the time from contractors I doubt he'll hold it against you long term
posted by fshgrl at 10:34 AM on June 18, 2017 [2 favorites]
Yes a bad project manager. It's his fault. Be explicit that the problem here is the way it was managed, changing timelines etc. Record the convo if possible or at least be sure to casually being up the dilemma to neutral third parties to cover your own butt. He probably hears this kind of thing all the time from contractors I doubt he'll hold it against you long term
posted by fshgrl at 10:34 AM on June 18, 2017 [2 favorites]
I would ask him for more resources to get this done/train you rather than focus on rehashing that you told him this was more than you can take on. If you're a contractor, that could be more money for you to hire an English-speaking expert. Maybe it's seeing the original and English versions of previous documents for context. Approach him with solutions to the problem rather than trying to get him to agree with you about whose fault the problem is.
posted by Snarl Furillo at 12:42 PM on June 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Snarl Furillo at 12:42 PM on June 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
What do you want the outcome of the call to be? What do you think he wants the outcome to be? How many translators are working for him, or to put another way, how much does he need you to finish this? If he's sharing work you tell him is poor without further vetting with his client he's not somebody who is very good at what he does or understands what his client actually wants.
Personally, I'd prefer to defer the 'post mortem' of the project to a later point. I'd want to acknowledge that this was not going as planned. That you understand the client is not happy and then get him to share the client's concerns. The goal would be to agree how the two of you will resolve the current situation to keep ultimate client happy.
Getting an example of something they already have would be very helpful to give you an idea what they are looking for. Once you're clear on that beef up a specific section/chapter for approval by the final client.
Then you'll have a better handle on what is expected and how long it will take you to do that for everything. Be realistic here. If that's not acceptable he can pay someone else a lot more to revise/finish than he'll have to pay you.
posted by koahiatamadl at 12:46 PM on June 18, 2017 [3 favorites]
Personally, I'd prefer to defer the 'post mortem' of the project to a later point. I'd want to acknowledge that this was not going as planned. That you understand the client is not happy and then get him to share the client's concerns. The goal would be to agree how the two of you will resolve the current situation to keep ultimate client happy.
Getting an example of something they already have would be very helpful to give you an idea what they are looking for. Once you're clear on that beef up a specific section/chapter for approval by the final client.
Then you'll have a better handle on what is expected and how long it will take you to do that for everything. Be realistic here. If that's not acceptable he can pay someone else a lot more to revise/finish than he'll have to pay you.
posted by koahiatamadl at 12:46 PM on June 18, 2017 [3 favorites]
Also, it's not true that you "*cannot* afford to lose this job at this point." You could well find another job in this field. You could well find another job in another field. You will survive. The worst that can happen is that this door closes. It does not mean that all doors will forever be closed. Take that edge off your thinking, and you'll be less likely to shut down or pivot on him.
posted by Capri at 2:26 PM on June 18, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Capri at 2:26 PM on June 18, 2017 [4 favorites]
Has it been two weeks or four? If it's been two, you can say it's taking on the longer end of the timeframe and you can continue to work on it. If it's been four, you can say it was more difficult than you expected. If you think you can get the document ready in a better state at a certain point, tell him and be realistic about that timeframe. But if you feel like this is just beyond your capability, then don't make any promises.
I would have some bullet points of what you want to say, whatever it is. That you worked hard but ultimately the document was too advanced, but you are still looking forward to some projects that are closer to your existing skill level and you are eager to keep growing your skills. Or whatever it is you want to say. I would try not to be defensive and be solution-oriented and focus on what's next.
Either way, I think an important lesson here is to under-promise and over-deliver. I used to always want to prove I was on top of things and I'd always promise things right away, but after having been a manager myself, I realize I'd much rather get something perfect that takes longer than something full of mistakes I got right away. If I get it earlier and it's perfect, that's just a bonus. Anything with mistakes means more work for me as the boss. I realize this guy was pressuring you on time, but I suspect that may have been more to set expectations with the client. If you thought it would take you 4 weeks, ask for 5 weeks or 6 weeks, and then deliver after 4.
posted by AppleTurnover at 9:26 PM on June 18, 2017
I would have some bullet points of what you want to say, whatever it is. That you worked hard but ultimately the document was too advanced, but you are still looking forward to some projects that are closer to your existing skill level and you are eager to keep growing your skills. Or whatever it is you want to say. I would try not to be defensive and be solution-oriented and focus on what's next.
Either way, I think an important lesson here is to under-promise and over-deliver. I used to always want to prove I was on top of things and I'd always promise things right away, but after having been a manager myself, I realize I'd much rather get something perfect that takes longer than something full of mistakes I got right away. If I get it earlier and it's perfect, that's just a bonus. Anything with mistakes means more work for me as the boss. I realize this guy was pressuring you on time, but I suspect that may have been more to set expectations with the client. If you thought it would take you 4 weeks, ask for 5 weeks or 6 weeks, and then deliver after 4.
posted by AppleTurnover at 9:26 PM on June 18, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
I lost a client over a specialized translation not long ago. I realized later I should have asked for some previous examples of translations they had accepted in order to get a handle on the terminology equivalents they wanted. Maybe you should consider that, if it's relevant.
I understand your frustration that the boss showed the client a partial document, but he may have been trying to help you in finding out whether the terms or the tone you were using were what they had in mind, rather than letting you finish the entire thing using the wrong lexicon or style.
posted by zadcat at 8:10 AM on June 18, 2017