Karren Brady’s advice on speaking to your boss after being moved to a new job at work
APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions.
Here she gives a reader advice on being unhappy with your new role at work.
Q: My wife has worked at a supermarket for 25 years, winning awards for her customer service.
Recently, her department closed and she has been given a different role in the store, which she hates, as she has no interaction with customers.
She is on a full-time contract, which they don’t offer any more – all contracts are part-time or flexi-time.
When she has explained how she feels to management, they just offer her part-time work in another department, but we can’t take that hit financially.
This isn’t the job she signed up for and she’s miserable.
Do you have any advice?
Paul, via email
A: I’m sorry to hear about your wife’s situation.
There are some steps she can consider, which you can support her with, too.
Encourage her to document how this change in role is affecting her, including how the job differs from her previous role, how her strengths are not being utilised, and the impact on her wellbeing.
Your wife should have a formal meeting with her manager to discuss these concerns, so that they are on record.
Tell her to take her notes into the meeting if she is feeling nervous or under pressure.
She should review her employment contract and company policies, so she knows her employee rights.
Also, encourage your wife to look for other positions within the company that align with her skills, experience and preferences, even if this is in a different store.
If the situation remains unresolved and your wife continues to struggle, she should speak to HR for guidance and support.
The goal should be to find a solution that supports your wife’s wellbeing and professional satisfaction.
- Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@fabulousmag.co.uk