How to resign from a specific task
I've been running a task for 5 years, just because I have the skills to accomplish it with the technology we have, but it isn't my department's responsibility, and my company ideally needs to bring in some other technology or build something to run the task.
Two years ago the task got a lot harder and my process no longer works. I get it done but I find it very difficult and time-consuming. I rarely get time apportioned to do it, because it's not a priority for my department and we're busy.
At that time, the responsible department kindly accepted the situation and promised to work on the technology required to accomplish the task and take it off me.
But two years on nothing's happened. Everyone is busy.
I'm thinking of writing an email to my boss and the other department's boss to say like "after this next period I will stop performing this task. I can again pass on knowledge on requirements (separate from my documentation) but can only provide limited assistance in setting up new technology because of the complexity of this task, and the lack of space in my schedule".
Basically resign from the task. My superiors want to support me but after two years of me repeatedly bringing it up, nothing's getting done and I need to protect my mental health. How might this go down, and how unprofessional could it look? I might offer to continue performing the task for the rest of the year in return for a cash bonus - but I don't want to seem like I'm trying to profiteer... I'd consider working weekends to get it done in a more controlled way. I'd rather not do it, though.
Cale's Response:
Don't present this in terms of your painpont (not my job, too much work, etc) present this in terms of their pain points and then show that you are solving it.
And figure out who the "their" is. It could be
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Your manager- their pain point might be that you are burning out working over time and this pace is not sustainable
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A stakeholder - the quality of execution for the task as it has evolved is at risk, it needs additional attention from a team member with access to the right things (tools, people, time, etc)
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A stakeholder- the priority of this task is very low in your work, it is at risk of being delayed or even abandoned for a time if/ when your schedule gets busy.
Bring them a solution (or a few prioritized solutions):
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I will continue to carry this task for the time being, but as I balance out the work I am able to do during work hours (for the sake of longevity and quality of my work) the quality of priority is likely to drop. I'll inform you when that is at risk (or even: that risk is imminent as X project is coming across my desk).
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I have identified several folks who I believe have the skills (not specifically the knowledge) who could take this on in the next 2 weeks with some knowledge transfer. -or- I have identified some skills that are needed for someone else to take this task on and I believe we have plenty of people in the org/ on that team who can execute this effectively. I am happy to help train them up for the next 2 weeks and act as a knowledge base/ knowledge resource after that, but access to me will be limited as I focus on improving my department/ leveling up these tasks.
Resolution will be much faster when you bring solutions to your manager than when you bring problems. It may not even be the solution that y'all end up going with, but it will show that your goal is not to abandon your post, that you are a team player, and you are seeking to improve the organization rather than just making your life easier by making someone else's harder.
- Yes, your burnout or drop in quality can be seen as your pain point, but present the root of it: laws of nature are that I can keep working 10 hour days and best case scenario is my attention to quality will begin to fall (likely it already has) and we don't accept low quality here.