Wow - I Think I Might Get Fired. :-(

I don't have a lot of advice, but wanted to say GOOD LUCK. The fact that another employee quit after getting the project, and that you are struggling with it, after having stellar prior reviews, should make someone realize that the problem is the project, not necessarily you. If you can find a way to point that out without being tacky or defensive, that might help. It sounds like they need to hire someone to take this project, or take some of the other responsibilities you're doing and divvy them up elsewhere in order to give you a fair chance to succeed.

I would point out that the project is more time consuming than you were lead to believe. That perhaps its time for them to bring on temporary help to cover this project, another full-time person for this project, or be open to allowing overtime. I would also point out that you inherited much of the delays and misunderstandings.

If they want the quality of work to continue to be above standard, then THEY need to provide you the ability to deliver work that is above standard. That means money. Whether to you or a temp-hire.

Yay! You now have the leverage to get someone else / more resources onto this project with you!!!

Prior to the email, you felt overwhelmed, but going to anyone for support you had no leverage. Since mistakes are being made enough to warrant the CEO's concern... that letter is your leverage. It is now patently obvious that this particular project needs a team, and not a person flying solo on it.

You turn this letter into a "Thank goodness!" & smile & ego stroking opportunity (for your boss... the whole... I completely agree with you, the mistakes are far too critical, and I'm so glad that we agree, etc. so forth and so on,) and use this 'might get fired' into a kudos. And a leadership position.

My suggestion would be to write up a proposal showing both the problems the former employee was having, and that you are having. The areas of weakness and level of time needed, and you problem solve the heck out of it.

And now you've got the tacit approval of the CEO to back you up. Instead of making it a personal problem WITH you (overwhelmed, can't handle it, etc.), you make it a problem to be solved BY you (with that proposal that outlines very clearly the problems with the project and how they can be solved on your end with the additional resources).

Just my .02

You've gotten some good advice here; I just want to add: An EIP is the step that should have come AFTER your immediate boss had worked with you on this! Is your immediate boss the CEO or is there a level of boss between you and the CEO?? If you don't work directly for the CEO, why was the CEO the one to tell you things weren't up to scratch??. And an EIP isn't just a matter of "set it up with HR." HR does not know your day to day details of work. It should be set up with your immediate boss, who supposedly does.

I sense that maybe there is a level of management above you here that is not doing its job and guiding you, if the CEO has to get involved....??

Create a paper trail. Go in with typed neat notes, use your notes to help you think clearly, List all your strengths, any question you are asked turn it into your positives, convey that you really do care, these are the challenges I am having (that you typed up before the meeting), Why you feel this part is working and that part isn't, It isn't working for you and clearly it isn't working for your CEO so try to figure out why. Once the meeting is over go get a copy of the book Fish! A Proven Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results A very, very easy read yet it has a good work message and the main person involved was where you sound like you are right now.

http://www.amazon.com/Proven-Boost-Morale-Improve-Results...

Updated

Come up with a plan of action to bring things under control and pitch it. There is not upside to pointing out others dropped the ball because it is not about them.

A lot of times the powers that be have no idea how much you do so point it out but in a way that is I can manage this but how. Ask them how and hopefully they get there is too much on your plate or they have an idea of how to get it done.

i think being honest regarding being overwhelmed is the best bet. keep your job. you may not soar in everyone's eyes for admitting you have too much on your plate (and maybe causing others to help take some of the load off, making their jobs a little more difficult) but you'll have your job.

i recommend having a list of your duties with you when you go in. be honest and say that you need some help. point out the projects or duties that keep you busiest. suggest maybe there is a way someone could help you with some of the smaller ones, allowing your time to be freed up to work on the bigger projects. possibly some suggestions for the big project to be made easier would help too - is it a communications issue? nail down one or two points that could help you. they don't want to fire you. but whining about being overwhelmed isn't the solution - going into it with a problem solving attitude is. good luck!

I don't have enough experience to give great advice. But I do want to point you to the Lord if you believe in him. He can bring extraordinary favor into your life and give you wisdom if you ask for it.

One thing my husband talks about all the time is how others drop the ball and then he has to pick up the slack. He works extra time, 2-4 hours daily and often brings home work. If he has to work an extra 8 hours, come home and sleep a little and go right back, he does it. I get annoyed when I don't think he's speaking up. He tells me that through my urging, he's become more willing to voice his concerns, BEFORE they become big problems. Then when they don't listen to him, he gets the "after the fact" credit for being right. Over time, he's won a lot of favor at work and they listen to him more often. Sometimes, they still don't listen, even when they know he's likely right. It's HARD. You don't want to come across like a whiner. So the only way to bring up anyone elses part in the problems is to have brought them to light before things got to this point. So please keep that in mind going forward.

My husband is going through some of this. They have dissolved positions left and right of him and he has had to take on the extra work. One project he has (out of like 12) was done by one lady by herself as her only project. He is just swimming in work and worries constantly that he isn't doing enough. It is isn't right.

I like the advice you've been given. Put it onto paper what your actual responsiblities are and what your real-life schedule at work is like. Make it clear it is not a one person job and you need support to make sure everything is 100%. Maybe it's sending some of the "piddly" stuff to others or getting a part time assistant?

Good luck and let us know how it goes!!!

ok deep breathe, I[m sure your stomach hurts right now.

Sounds like your boss wants to help figure this out. But i feel like you need to have your own action plan in place to suggest to them.

Sit down by yourself and list out all your responsiblities. List out what your strengths are, list out what might be a better fit for someone ( but i wouldn't recommend suggestion who -- let your boss figure that out.) If you really really look at where you spend your time, will that help you figure out how to correct this. If you are salaried it may just come down to them needing someone who is willign to work 24/7. but if with your great track record and the fact that you weren't alone in your boo boo. My guess is that you will be ok.

If there is any way to prove what a nightmare this project has been for ANYONE that has worked on it - not just "I heard" but actual info, that might be the way to go. If the project is needed, but there's a better way to do it, maybe you can turn a bad thing into a good thing. You have evidence of your success prior to this project. Approach them from a how can we take care of this/positive direction. Good luck!

I know it's hard not to be defensive, but try to stick with the facts, you will get a better response. Don't point fingers at others, but do explain what you do on a daily basis. It's okay to admit that it has become quite a time consuming project, but say that you are open to suggestions. Is there a clear goal and ending date for the project? If not, mention those as things that you feel need to be clarified to make the project successful. Re-iterate your commitment to the project, your team and the company. Are you the project leader? Who is changing the criteria? Internal? A client? A never-ending project is certainly not productive for anyone - perhaps the scope of the project could be re-defined to outline what the expected result will be (tangible). You can e-mail me personally if you have questions. I've been in management a while and know that if my team isn't successful, it's a reflection on me. I try to give them the tools they need and a clear goal. And be there 24/7 if they get stuck. Good luck!

What is an EIP? It sounds like the CEO wants you to succeed. I would go in saying that you want to make this work but I would ask up front if there is help on this that you can get. If you just inherited it from another workers quitting it seems that you should have been given training. Ask if they can give you some help to do it.

I would agree with the people who said this is probably going to be a good thing for you in the long run. Most companies would rather keep the employee and bring them into line than have to hire someone new. Especially if your prior record was stellar. I actually had to turn down projects I knew would be too time consuming because I was only working part time. In the end, they will admire your honesty instead of just wondering why you are never completing projects or making lots of mistakes.

It's time to ask for help with this project - the fact that someone quit because of it is a HUGE red flag and should have never been taken on by only one person again if the individuals running the company were paying attention. Bad move on their part and also on your part for taking it on and allowing it to get to this point. You were aware things were slipping and should have reported immediately to upper management that this simply wasn't going to work for you. You've been there long enough with enough good reviews that you should be able to offer the company constructive feedback without being punished in any way. I would definitely have a conversation with them about this, cite all your other reviews prior to taking on this project (bring hard copies), list your workload and let them know you're willing to work with them on this but it's too much for one person and something needs to change. As much for your health and sanity as for the quality of their company. Good luck!!!

I think sitting down with your direct supervisor, unless they are involved in this project, is a good idea too. Discussing this with HR is good too. Telling them that the person who planned this new project is not reliable or consistent and that it is not a project that can work may help.

If you are possibly getting fired then why not tell the truth about the planner of this project. It can't possibly hurt anymore to be honest and tell them that you are spending X hours per day on just redoing it again and again. The person who holds the reigns on this project sounds like they are going through people and need to be reigned in.

Make sure there are S.M.A.R.T. goals in this plan. Make sure there are no objectives that can actually be measured and achieved in the 90 days. If the project is truly continuous, the goal for improvement should be spaced accordingly. Be open and honest and commit 100% because you are agreeing to this plan and it will be used against you if you don't succeed. Also, ask for help as soon as things become wary. Ask for clarification, especially in writing (email will suffice). Don't think the.plan is all about you. Outline what you need to get the job done and who is responsible for it. When others slip, call them out on it and make it known. You can do this, seems like your leader believes in you, make her accountable too. Good luck!