Why would you be required to write down everything you do at work, when the manager is right behind you?

Question

Why would you be required to write down everything you do at work, when the manager is right behind you?

Answer 1

The only answer to this question is the following:

-Because he/she is going to fire you, and wants something on paper to cover the companies ***.

Period.

Answer 2

rules, rules....You have to do as they tell you no matter how redicolous it sounds.

That is only 'till you are the boss :) Than you change the rules.

Answer 3

As others have said, the company may be looking to eliminate positions.  Getting an accurate list of the tasks you are responsible for helps them update job descriptions and reallocate responsibilities.

They could also be looking for more efficient methods for getting the work done.  They may actually have an "efficiency expert" who is going to help them reallocate responsibilities and create new forms/new processes for getting tasks done and paperwork completed.  

Or, they may want you to make a list of the things that you do because you're spending time on projects that aren't a priority or you've been given someone else's work.  Your manager will use that list to see what you're spending your time doing, what tasks aren't being completed on time, what tasks are getting done really quickly, whether you have spare time to take on new responsibilities, or whether you're overloaded or just need more training to get your assigned tasks finished by their deadlines.

Yes ... having a manager ask you to write down everything you do can be a bad thing.  But it will also help YOU update your resume.  And, having this handy-dandy list will help you at job review time, because now you'll know exactly what you've been doing.

Answer 4

So they can put a job description in the want ads.

Answer 5

They could be looking to downsize. They often do this to everyone to figure out if there are any redundant jobs, or ones they could combine so they can toss some people.

Strangely enough, if they just cut the ceo-type salary in half, they could usually save jobs