My colleague has taken a last minute holiday and left me to present a major project alone… Help!

Scottish Sun

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BOSSING IT My colleague has taken a last minute holiday and left me to present a major project alone… Help!
APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions.
Here, Karren gives her expert career advice to a reader who has been left to present a stressful project alone after her colleague took a last minute holiday.
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Karren Brady gives you career advice
Q: My colleague and I have been working on a stressful project for the past six months and it's finally reaching the crunch point – but she's chosen to take a last-minute holiday over the two weeks we need to deliver the project and present it internally, then put it in front of the client.
I understand the whole process of getting the project to this point has been difficult and meant some long hours, but I feel abandoned and like I now have to carry it all on my own, which is causing me huge anxiety and stress.
What should I do?
Amelia, via email
A: First, speak to your manager about the situation as soon as possible.
Explain clearly that with your colleague away during such a critical phase, you're concerned about the impact on delivery of the project and don't want the workload and pressure to compromise the final result.
Ask whether some tasks can be reassigned or if extra support is available.
Set firm boundaries – don't take on everything alone, especially at the cost of your physical and mental health.
Keep a written record of your agreed responsibilities and decisions during this time to protect yourself and manage expectations.
When your colleague returns, have a respectful but honest conversation about how this affected you, so it's less likely to happen again.
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Most importantly, prioritise your mental health and wellbeing – take breaks, ask for help when you need it and be clear about what you can and can't do.
As tough as the current situation is, moments like these can highlight your resilience and capabilities, and will give you a chance to show your manager how well you handle pressure and take the lead when it counts.
Got a careers question for Karren? Email [e-mail].