I'm working as Projectmanger for Solar Company in Central Europe. We build Photovoltaik Systems, usually they range from 200 to 1'500 kWp (for reference: a dettached house has about 10 kWp). So it's fair to say they are rather big projects, it takes me about 120 hourse of Work per Project.
By mid March i had reach the point, where i had more Projects in the Pipeline than i could actualy do this year. One big Problem is: sales promisses the customers we will start in 12 weeks. So you see, i can't possibly start a years worth of projects in 12 Weeks.
I told my boss, i cant't manage more projects, he needs to decline some work or finde somebody else to do it (we are a team of 8 Projectmangers, all of us are overloaded). He was actually pretty understanding, saying he was glad i stood up, so he knows the limits. Told me he would bring it up to management, but he needed me to tell managment the same i told him.
So i got ready for that meeting. Prepared an Excel sheet showing the Problem and was ready to defend my position. Well, the meeting came, we discussed the projects and money. But workload never came up. A Week later my boss dumped more Projects on me.
“I'm so sorry, but they keep taking orders! I just have to dump the projects on you guys. But if there are any complaints, just send them to me! I will work it out!” well you can bet your car i will do that!
Now, some weeks later, the complaints start to drop in. Customers aren't getting a Kick-Off for their Systems. Now keep in mind, they are spending between 200k and 2'000k for this systems. I would be pissed aswell. Sales is furious, because customers are taking back the orders, costing the sales team their bonus.
Well, this far everything as expected. Now, what do you think? Will my boss stand up to his promiss and handle it? Yeah, didn't think so either. He told me, i need to get my stuff together and be more customer focused. It's only a Kick Off, just do it! Well one Kick Off takes me about 10 hours (preperations, Meeting and ordering stuff), so: NO! cant do, wont do….go and bark at a tree!
Now he is sending E-Mails, blaming me for not beeing able to manage my time. This E-Mails are not only beeing send to me, but to HR and to Management aswell.
Well, i got today an offer for an other Job. I will be earning 10k more a year, get 5 Days more paid leave, the benefits are better an i can walk there in 20 Minutes. (ATM i have 40 Minute car drive). I already took the offer. But i have a 2 Month notice periode. I will be sending my resignation this week, so I will start 01.07.22 at the new position.
now for the question: Am i beeing to sensitiv? I feel betrayed, but on the other side my boss is only trying to cover his ass, but on my costs. I'm kinda unsure if i should let it hit the fan or bi the bigger man and try to fix as much as possible, for the team.
English is not my first language, but i think most sould be clear. if there's something unclear, let me know and i will try to clean up.
Some extra infos, as i see what conditions most people have around the world regarding work conditions. i get 110k a year, 30 Days Paid leave, Paid sickdays. This in one of the riches countrys. Just so you know: them telling you it is not possible to be fair to you is BS, we mange pretty well over here. Dont give up!
TL;DR
Projectmanager. Whole Team is overloaded, told my boss i can't manage more projects till 2023. He didn't listen, dropped more Projects. Customers are angry as they don't get Kick-Offs, sales is pissed as the customers get back to them, Boss is blaming me in E-Mails with alot of people in Cc. Little does he know, i got an offer: 10k more payment, 5 Days more paid leave, better benefits, 20 min walking from home (atm 40 min cardrive). I have 2 Months notice. Should i let them “suffer” or be the bigger man?