So I work in a fast moving industry. We have clients and provide reports for those clients, amongst other things, but I'm responsible for the reports of a large portfolio. These reports consist of photos and detailed assessments. When we take on a new client, we do an initial thorough report (we'll refer to them as major reports) that are usually up to, or exceeding, 400 pages. Afterwards we send out smaller reports (we'll call them mini reports) every 4 months to keep the clients updated or to report anything significant.
My work has had a number of team meetings where they specifically mentioned that these mini reports need to be as detailed as possible. Our clients are paying for these mini reports and they need to be very thorough, was basically what they told us.
As a result of these meetings, I have been doing very thorough mini reports. I've even been reiterating things that were noted in the initial major report. The reason why reiterating these things from the major report is a good idea, is because;
A. If something untoward happens, we have multiple reports that mention these things to the clients, showing we have done our due diligence, and
B. It saves time cross-checking information when you do the next mini report because the notes are brought across from the last mini report. Say you didn't remember there was a specific minor issue dating back to the major report. Now you don't have to look through the major report to confirm if it was pre-existing because it's written in your current mini report to remind you and the client.
Also, when doing the mini reports, I've been making sure to extensively follow up on anything outstanding. Some people in this industry just mention the bare minimum and don't check if what previously needed attention has been seen to. So for each mini report, I'm making phone calls and sending emails to ensure everything is properly seen to and not left to the wayside until it's too late to action or something untoward happens.
I recently asked my head of department if there is anything further they want me to add to the reports and they mentioned a few things, so I've been adding that as well. All of this takes time, obviously. Department Head said that the mini reports need to be like a miniature version of that major report. My mini reports, since being very thorough, usually vary between 25-50 pages since they're appropriately very detailed.
Today my head of department said that I'm taking too much time to complete the mini reports. So what is it? Do I:
A. Do a thorough report as instructed, or
B. Do a less thorough report as instructed to save time
These expectations are ridiculous – I can only follow so many instructions. I'm not a computer. I'm a human being. Things take time. Stop treating us like automated personel who can cater to every requirement and not factoring in the time it takes to do a job properly.
I'm so sick of my time and effort being undermined. It's been like this in every job I've ever had. Expectations VS. Reality are not within employers repertoire.
I feel like giving up. Nothing I do is ever good enough.