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How can I manage my unpredictable workload?

Short-notice projects involving long hours, and the lack of a senior employee to talk to, are raising stress levels at work
An unpredictable workflow can make time management a difficult skill to master. Photograph: Eightfish/Alamy


My long-term job goes from feast to famine, with barely any work and then so much that my head spins and I struggle to cope. My facilities manager was off sick for two months and as his "second in command" (though he doesn't manage any staff) I have had to do a lot of his work. Thankfully he has returned, but now my workload is extremely heavy, mainly because we have such unpredictable short-notice projects.

I feel overwhelmed. The way things are running right now seem really chaotic. There is nobody in a senior role I can speak to and say how I feel. I want to be acknowledged in a meaningful way for my work rather than them just giving me so much to do.

There are only so many hours I can work and higher-paid projects often go to others, so they make similar money while working fewer hours (I am paid on an hourly – plus project fees – basis, rather than salaried). I am very professional but am concerned I cannot spend enough time on things. I want to meet with my bosses to talk about a possible pay rise but everyone is so busy and stressed, including me. I don't know what to do.


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