Conflicting Viewpoints

I had a meeting with my ultimate boss on Wednesday who is the HR Director. It was touch base affair and I wanted to know whether I would specifically be able to continue doing some overtime work which was paying some very handy additional money.

I know that the area in question has been under review and she confirmed this. She also said that she was unhappy with the money that was being paid (the hourly rate) to the people undertaking it and that she thought there were better ways of me utilising my time.

When I pressed her about where I should be going and my career direction, she said that it was up to me to give them a bit of steer. Fair enough I thought in a way, but not overly helpful!

Yesterday, I meet with the manager who is overseeing the (additional work) area. She confirmed that I had done very well previously, was well regarded by the "customers" and wanted me to continue. She also said that the money being paid was the same as for freelancers so I was no more of an additional cost to the company. She also told me that she had me down to continue with another project from September!

This was all contrary to what my ultimate boss had said. I want to continue doing the work because of the extra cash it brings. Indeed, that was part of the appeal of the job and was sold to me as a selling point when I took the role.

These are the types of situation that I find hardest as someone with Asperger syndrome. They require reading between the lines whilst trying to consider and accomodate wider issues. Do I press for what I want and risk upsetting the person in authority? What is the actual situation with regard to the business area overall?

I didn't say anything at the time to the manager running the additonal area. I felt I needed to consider thinsg very carefully. There are more politics here and I need to tread carefully.

I asked if I could give it some thought over the weekend which I think was the right thing to do: it gives me time to ponder and prevented me from making any knee-jerk, damaging reactions or comments.

What I think I am going to do is say to the ultimate boss that I want to continue, that now I am ahead with many of my key objectives, it wouldn't damage me by doing so and "would she be willing to reconsider?" Asking this won't be challenging her position or authority in any way and puts the ball back in her court.

In the meantime I am going to crack on with the other priorities. There are two major projects I am working on where, to put it bluntly, they - I think - need me. If I can keep doing this I will, hopefully, put myself in a position whereby they need me as much as I need them.

I'm going on holiday in ten days time and I need the break - with a clear head and without any associated worries!