What do I do? My manager just git fired? Took them long enough to figure out it was me running the ******* place since day1. Now, big boss comes up and says "congrats u r the now the store manager" And, I am thinking "What the F***" Didn't want, didn't ask for it. So, what do I do now? They have been firing people left and right. I can barely keep up with the hrs I am working now. Let alone adding another 10-15 a week doing it all. Man, some days I just collapse from exhaustion after I get home. I have been paying a neighbor to feed and walk my dog. Just so the porr baby doesn't get to lonely. I have just about had it. Oh, well of to bed just had to vent so I could sleep.....

You know, it is legal to decline a promotion.

Write it up politely and professionally and tell them you don't think you can hack the job right now for personal reasons, but thanks for considering me, etc. etc. etc...

Either that or start interviewing farmer types for the position of your new assistant :D :D :D

You know? The same thing happed to my roommate! And he reacted the same way. It can be very overwelming, but as you said, you have been running things since Day 1 but now you will get the attention that before your manager got, he was your cover. They might as well have asked you to go to work naked. ;)
But just remember, you do have the skills, and now that you are manager you have the *power* to deligate the people you are managing. Try not to do everything yourself but get comfortable about delegating. Also be confident when you talk to people and be able to offer critisism gracefully. You will do great. Honest. Just set limits right up front. My roomate is onto his fourth year as manager of his own office. :)

Originally posted by Paul S
Either that or start interviewing farmer types for the position of your new assistant :D :D :D

Congrats on the promo!

I gleefully ditto Paul's suggestion. And Keppig's advice seems totally right on! Delegat, delegate, delegate! And enjoy your new position of POWER!! :D

I agree with the above as well. Delegating is a must. A trusty farmer type assistant would be handy to have.

You could always look to see if there is an eager-beaver employee floating around; just itching for more responsibility. Call it something like pre-management training & induction.

Sleepz

there are only 2 people to delagate 2. and neither of them care. i have to take it or walk. was how it was put to me. And I have no choice but to do it myself. I will need to hire an new asst and 2 more partimers. until then i have to bust my a** to kepp the place open or no one will have a job. and i can't go back to OKC. I like it here. but, the local economy sucks and there aren't many other jobs out there. upside is i got a $4 an hr raise. actully will be salary now and my ins is now paid in full.

Trusty Farmer Type????

Since you will be the one hiring new people you can choose people who you think will work well with you. Since the job market is so tight right now I"m sure you won't have a shortage of qualified applicants for the job.

sixes...Farmer type is a looong story. read the following, it is a start.

http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1858

As Tara says, you now have the hiring choice and you can use it wisely.

As far as coping, try looking at the picture from a different point of view.

1/ You still have your job and you did get a promotion and a pay rise.
2/ Your staff shortage is only a short term problem till you hire the additional people.
3/ Once you hire the right people; the problem will get better.
4/ That means; you have a short term issue that will definately get better.

Knowing it is a short term problem; rather than worrying about the extra load. Just accept it as short term; and work out a strategy for dealing with it. If you have a partner; ask them to be supportive as it is only a short term issue; explaining whats going on and why you would really appreciate their understanding.

Allocate 1 or 2 more hours more than you were even currently planning to spend. With this extra time; look at the activities that you are doing in your day, and see if their are any opportunities to eliminate, automate, delegate or simplify. Under stress; there is never any time to do this...but if you take a little extra time to think about these things; opportunities will pop-up.

As far as the two other people are concerned, deal with them later. You can always take the view that the extra work is to be done by ALL three of you; and that they need to take a greater share of the work. Allocate tasks to them which you planned to do yourself. If they don't do them; and you end up doing them...nothing changed. However; they might just get some of them done.

Another option. Ask the other two for ideas that might make things easier for you all. If other people have lost their jobs; then these two left would understand there is a risk in losing their jobs. They may be willing to try things if they think THEY will get some recognition for their efforts.

Just a few ideas to think about.

Sleepz

Well, at this point I will hire 2, then fire the old 2 and hire to replace them. The 2 that are there were friends of the manager who got fired. So, needless to say they are not very cooperative. I will keep them on (unless they quit). And find some poeple who do want to work.

Mechelle,

Seen that "problem" many times before. Sadly, they somehow think by not helping you, that you are just magically going to go away and the old manager will come back.

Sounds like you got a plan, looks like an excellent one; and all the best. Let us know how it goes.

Sleepz.

Yup sounds like a plan....too bad the ones that are there provided and do provide low quality work and are/were there simply due to be being friends of the manager....talk about life not being fair....That sounds wise to replace them.....

Listen congrats Mechelle on all this even though it sounds stressful....I remember when you got this job in the first place.....it was just around the time when I started my move back to Florida....and so not long ago...they must have seen something really special in you to give you a promotion so quickly....

When I first started work at my present company, I was dismayed at the relationship between my boss and the engineer I worked for. If I had a problem with him, the engineer, I couldn't tell her, my Boss. They are engaged and have a little baby now, but... about 6 months ago, she hired a project manager who is bringing the engineer up to snuff so I am having less problems and as long as I give engineering complaints, the PM will take care of it with the engineer. :)

So I can relate to what you are saying, Mechelle