Limited supervision-Final (hopefully!) update

First off, I want to preface this post by saying my agency does have a lot of perks and is a very good company to work for in many respects.

However, one area that is limited, is supervision.

It's not a huge issue for me, because I know my job well and I also am realizing that I am starting to become part of the "older" generation now, as scary as that sounds----I am no longer a new grad and am considered one of the "experienced" ones, so I don't really require a ton of supervision.

Anyways, with that said, how do you deal with an environment like this?

Especially if you see newer, or in many cases, younger people coming in who NEED this kind of 1:1.

What if it's not your "role" to supervise them, nor do you have a lot of time yourself to mentor them?

Outside of an informal support network amongst the team (which we do have), what else can be done besides either sink or swim?

I am just looking for suggestions because I KNOW this is why we lost someone recently who had the potential to be a really good asset to the company.

P.S. I recently put it out there to the powers that be that we NEED another supervisor. I am sure it will happen eventually, but in the meantime, it is what it is.

I know this is often a problem as well in my field specifically (social work).

Message edited 8/12/2011 8:04:29 AM.

Re: Limited supervision

As a LMSW who is a program director of a not-for-profit, I know that due to the usually high stress of the workplace environment and the high demand in the Social Work Field, I feel that sometimes unless the employees speak up, then appropriate supervision is not provided.

As a professional, one should always be having individual supervision, and team supervision regardless of how many years they have been there.

At my agency I meet with each of my staff working with families every week individually, have weekly team meetings, and am available 24 hours for emergencies. It's important in the Social Work field to have a good supervisor available for support. Empirical based data has shown the effects of clean communication and a good supervisor.

With that saidI think that you should definitely should say something about having another supervisor.

Re: Limited supervision

P.S. I work in a host environment.

It is NOT social work based/dominated.

I also want to say that I don't disagree that no matter how long you have been doing something, that you don't need supervision.

I am again looking for suggestions for in the meantime, and not necessarily for myself.

I have been a supervisor for this, and other programs before, so I am also kind of just referring to things that can't really be taught, or that people need to figure out themselves or through experience.

Message edited 8/2/2011 6:42:07 AM.

Re: Limited supervision

I'm not sure if I'm answering your question properly, but if I see people who are new to the job and are not in my department, I try to help them navigate the agency culture, which includes encouraging them to speak up for theself when they need supervision. They might be too shy in the beginning to know that they should ask for it.

Our agency doesnt provide traditional supervision. As a supervisor, I don't really either- I have too many staff. I do group supervision, and the new staff get trained and rely on the informal network to learn the ropes.

Re: Limited supervision

Re: Limited supervision-UPDATE GRRRR

OK so my update thus far is NOT a great one.

One of my colleagues called me to say that MY supervisor is telling all the newbies that if they need something, to call ME.

Well now, I already have time constraints prior to this in being able to get what I need to get done, done.

Asking a question or for clarification on something every once in awhile, fine, we all do that. Being the "go-to" girl for anything and everything......no thanks. Especially because I am not getting anymore pay, just increased responsibility.

I also don't want to be perceived as not nice, but I CAN'T be available to hand-hold people when they are first starting out. My current responsibilities are too intense.

I KNOW that sounds really mean, but I resigned my position as a supervisor for a reason.

My boss also called me earlier to confirm the same, and that if someone needs to be shown how to do something, I need to MAKE the time to sit them down and teach them.

Any advice? Leaving is not necessarily an option at *this* point in time.

Message edited 8/10/2011 5:01:03 PM.

Re: Limited supervision-Final (hopefully!) update

I think my boss realized I was pi$$ed because he emailed me after hours on my Blackberry the other night to say not to worry........he actually is planning to hire another supervisor.

We are in the works of getting a new program approved (working with the state takes FOREVER), and the agency could not justify hiring another supervisor financially until this goes through.

I also sat down with our two newest staff and told them that if there were specific things they needed me to review with them, I would make myself available to them on X day of the week if they are willing to come to me.

So hopefully, this arrangement will work and the new program will go through!

Thanks for listening!