| Author |
Message |
    
las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 995
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 4:31 pm: |     |
Never Fails! Every Friday and every day before a holiday someone dumps a huge task on my desk causing me to stay late. Did I say never fails? I meant never fails. Everyone gets to leave early while I get stuck. And no, not posting would not speed things up. Why do I have to be the friggin' go-to girl?
hrmph! |
las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 996
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 5:11 pm: | |
Know why no one has commented? Because you all got to leave early! |
Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 1773
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 5:13 pm: | |
las - I'm here!! I will also be here on Monday
 |
las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 997
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 5:15 pm: | |
Yay! Pippi is a loser go-to girl like me! |
Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 1774
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 5:19 pm: | |
um...
thanks....
 |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4049
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 5:58 pm: | |
That stinks. I'd leave.
Well, back in the days when I worked, I would probably have whined to myself and then thought what I could have bought with that night's earnings. Since I had an hourly rate, that made me feel better. I'd freelance at night after my regular job and think to myself "this is for window treatments."
Hey, you do what you gotta do to get by. |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 1551
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 6:06 pm: | |
Lie a bit, if necessary.
It's time to say: I have already made extensive plans for this weekend. This last minute fire drill will cost me a lot of money in unused tickets, reservations, etc. If the company is willing to reimburse me for the entire cost, I will make an exception for this weekend and this weekend only. But in future I will require more notice.
As to this work you need done this weekend, when will you use it? ( Don't ask when they need it; they will say, by reflex action alone, "I need it yesterday." When you ask "when will you use it", they usually paw the ground and say, "oh, late next week sometime." and that changes the whole tone.
IMHO. |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 4376
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 8:21 pm: | |
I used to get that all the time, too. Wednesday before Thanksgiving, 5:00, an hour-long audiotape of a conference speaker needed to get up on the web site. That meant hooking up the equipment and running it in real time to convert the cassette tape into a streamable file.
With ample evidence that nobody ever listens to audio on that web site. As if people are going to pull away from the family holiday dinner and say "I gotta listen to this guy drone."
My take was it was always more a political/self-indulgent exercise than reflecting any real need. |
shestheone
Citizen
Username: Shestheone
Post Number: 231
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 9:48 pm: | |
las
if it makes you feel any better i didn't get home from work until 8:45. |
redY67
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 4897
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 8:34 am: | |
las I am sorry, hopefully now you are sleeping in enjoying your nice long weekend. |
las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 1017
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 10:00 am: | |
Apparently, I really am the friggin' go-to-girl around here!
Waiting in my inbox:
Pls do NOT give this to daytime WP. My first preference to deal with a troublesome document is Lynn S if she has time. By copy of this email - Lynn, can you help us out on Tuesday?
Of course I can help you out! I am a whimp and can't say no, even though you have your very own secretary sitting outside your office doing nothing. grrrrr
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redY67
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 4939
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 10:40 am: | |
So not fair! Is there someone you can talk to in regards to this? |
las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 1021
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 10:47 am: | |
Red, I can't deal with this now. I have my boss's daughter on the phone; seems daddy told her I'd be the person to go to for resume help. |
Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 683
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 11:58 am: | |
Ahha - I see what the problem is, las...
You're one of those people that just does your job TOO well. C'mon - you all know what I mean. You do great work and then it seems that everybody comes to you for help. And the slackers seem to get away with doing the least work.
Unfortunatley, I've seen this happen many times, and have been that go-to girl in the past. You really need to learn to stand your ground on this kind of stuff. Set you hours and KEEP them. Do what you realistically can get done in a day, and then GO HOME!!! People will not begin to respect your time until you begin to do so yourself, and they will always push those who WILL be pushed!
And this always seems to work:
Next time someone gives you a project right before early closing, say "Oh, are you staying late too in case I have any questions on it? No? Why not?" In which case they would inevitable give some excuse about plans, to which I respond, "Yeah, I have plans to. Let's pick this up first thing Monday." |
tjohn
Supporter
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 4074
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 12:05 pm: | |
Dego,
I agree.
There is a fine art to saying "no" and appearing regretful at the same time. If it involves some social lies such as "I'd love to, but I agreed to do ... for my neighbor", that OK.
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redY67
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 4941
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 12:33 pm: | |
Unbelievable, you are doing your bosses daughter resume???????? |
las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 1024
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 2:08 pm: | |
Diego and TJohn, I definitely need help with that. The one time I told someone I'd love to help but I was swamped, maybe his own secretary could assist him, I got a call from human resources asking what happened.
Red: of course I wasn't actually doing the bosses' kid's resume. I was merely walking her through better options, like looking up the correct name of her degree. |
redY67
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 4944
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 3:19 pm: | |
las same thing, that is just ridiculous. Okay now we have to think of a plan for revenge.
Note to self--check bosses drawers for items that may be suspicious.... |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12599
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 1:13 am: | |
You need to practice this stuff. Find out whether "I can't do that because..." or "I can't do that" works better. It depends on the person. Then practice in the mirror and on a friend. Practice over and over. Pretend you are a theater student, practicing a role in a play.
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Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 2370
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 10:53 am: | |
Las, if you were asked to do things outside your job description (as much as I hate it), then you should have simply told HR that you are trying to do your job, and people keep dumping unrelated work on you that should be done others.
HR can actually be your friend in situations like this. |
las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 1032
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 11:42 am: | |
I never mind doing personal work for bosses, my theory being: if you want to pay me what you pay me to keep dialing a potential pre-school until someone answers, fine with me.
Today provided an example of why I accept all the work and projects:
'Something happened' to one boss's computer and he is holding me responsible. I had nothing to do with it, I'm just the secretary - not IT, but he's having a tantrum (literally - kind of sad to watch) and he's got all this anger, so sure, blame me for IT inadvertanly wiping out your C:\ drive before saving eight years of documents. And family photos.
Neither answers nor a remedy were happening fast enough so I went up to the boss's boss to ask for some muscle in making things happen.
This guy behind the guy assured me that no matter what happens, irate boss cannot fire me, and that I have proven myself as a valued employee who, and I quote, "between you and me will have a longer tenure than [my] boss," and there will always be a job for me here.
I was griping the other afternoon about being the only go-to girl, but the truth is, these are the tasks that provide me job security.
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12601
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 10:39 pm: | |
Are jobs like that really hard to find? I am under the impression they pay low but are easy to find (because they pay low).
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las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 1037
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 10:55 pm: | |
Tom, I don't get your question. You're under the impression my job is easy to find and pays low? |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12603
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 11:07 pm: | |
Yes, you said you're the secretary, right? Are secretarial job easy to find? If so, that's the job security you need. Unless this job is particularly better than typical secretarial jobs, you don't have to do anything extra for them to assure your continued employment.
In other words, I'm saying don't do anything that doesn't give you pleasure if it really isn't helping your job security. On the other hand, if you like being the hero, then do it. I have been in that position, and it has its rewards.
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las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 1038
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 11:15 pm: | |
That's an awkward question to answer in a public forum. |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 20
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 12:10 am: | |
Dear Tom:
I also was a secretary for a long time. I can tell you that my job was in no way easy or easy to find. I survived three managing directors, I speak and write two languages which I used daily and my salary was in the high 90's including bonus. I don't know how old you are but a secretary doesn't just type letters anymore. They are computer savy (much more then the boss has to be), create P&L sheets, budgets and handle more "hot potatoe" situations then most department heads. They handle the moods of their bosses so they don't swap over to the general population and if they are good then things will be run by them to get an honest opinion that affect the entire business they are in. I knew every little detail of my bosses personal and professional life and he respected and counted on my honest opinion on many issues.
I don't care what level a secretary is but a boss is only as good as his/her secretary.
Bajou |
las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 1039
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 12:39 am: | |
Apparently it wasn't so awkward for Bajou to answer.
That goes ditto for me. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12609
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 12:49 am: | |
I'm 45 and have worked in places with secretaries since 1985. I never spent a microsecond believing a secretary's job is easy. I always saw that the job is underpaid for the difficulty and importance. I also have pondered the point that a person is as good as his/her secretary. As an IT person, I worked closely with secretaries and felt a kinship with them.
OK, I hope my previous paragraph properly conveyed my respect for your profession. With that said, the rule of supply and demand shows that when something is underpriced, it becomes scarce. I've known lots of bosses who don't understand why they can't find or keep good secretaries. Sometimes, they didn't mistreat their secretaries. They merely paid them the market rate, which, for that skill set, is too little. They move on for various reasons. One big one is "because they can."
So with all the lack of respect you get, all the low pay, all the aggravation, I suspect -- and most certainly hope -- that one compensation for all that nonsense is job portability.
I don't know about legal secretaries. They get paid a lot more than regular secretaries. Maybe the job market is tighter there.
Is that clearer now?
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las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 1041
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 1:17 am: | |
It's clearer for me, Tom, thanks.
For me this was a griping thread, but I do admit I've got a great job. Since my husband left two of the partners I work for have made themselves available to double check the decisions of my financial adviser as well as my CPA and my attorney, they reviewed my Settlement Agreement and continue to review my legal bills. Not to mention how accommodating they have been regarding all my early departures/late arrivals/etc. during the past few months. These are perks that more than make up for being the go-to girl or dealing with a misdirected temper tantrum.
Legal secretaries do earn more than other secretaries, which I think is a holdover from the days when so many documents had to be typed from scratch. I work in a really large firm that stays competetive with salaries and benefits. I know smaller firms and most firms in Newark pay about half what I earn, and those secretaries probably do a lot more work.
Clearer for you, Tom? |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12610
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 1:28 am: | |
Yes, it sounds like a job worth keeping.
Griping is fine. We all have to do it.
Some people err on the side of not being responsible enough. Some err by taking on too much responsibility. It's hard to say where to draw the line. My caution to you was that maybe you don't have to do things you don't want to in order to keep your job.
Glad to hear you like your job overall. It sounds like a decent place with very good people. They also go above and beyond for you, so I can understand now why you feel doing so for them is worthwhile.
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las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 1042
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 1:34 am: | |
Thanks for the perspective. I'm really fortunate in that even on the most dreadful days work doesn't keep me up at night. (In this instance, caffeinnated tea at dinner does...)
I know I don't have to do everything dropped in my lap, but I kind of feel I have to stock up on the brownie points so when I need time off or mess up there will be all those above and beyonds to recall. If that makes sense. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12612
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 1:36 am: | |
Sure, it makes plenty of sense. And if it doesn't interfere with what you have going on elsewhere, it's time well spent.
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ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 1162
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 1:39 am: | |
It makes sense to me!
So does the caffeinated tea, by the way.
In my experience, it has always been wise to be pleasant to the administrative staff. We all know who gets things done. In market research (my once and maybe future profession) there are "fire drills" all the time, but the admins are really the ones to put out those fires. |
las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 1043
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 1:47 am: | |
Funny, as an admin person I am always super pleasant to the messengers, mail room, copy center, accounting, IT, supply - these are the people who always get things done for me in a super hurry.
I do some typing for one of the IT guys, and he always responds to my emails which makes me look realllly good in front of a cranky boss. |
Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 685
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 10:11 am: | |
Yes, I agree, it's always worth while to be pleasant to the people that help you get the job done. However, perhaps I'm jaded, but I've been burned too many times by the "if I go above and beyond now, it will be worth it in the future" thinking. I've gone WAY above and beyond many imes, without always reaping the benefits when I needed to. In fact, once, in an annual review, the afct that I helped so many people was actually held against me as a negative.
Granted, everyone is different, but, when it comes to work, I have come to feel that you should be nice to everyone, but ultimately take care of yourself first. Took me a long time to learn that lesson. |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 38
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 5:42 pm: | |
Ditto Dego Dive:
I was told once that if I have so much time to help everybody then I obviously don't have enough to do. The jerk who wrote that in my review left at 5 and I was sitting there (in NY) at 7:30 or 8 PM which got me home at almost 10PM every night. In that case job portability way outweighed my need of job security. |
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 1172
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 6:12 pm: | |
Helping is both selective and dependent on job function. You have to know when to go above and beyond and when to make sure you are busy enough doing your job.
I remember having some downtime at one position while waiting for some studies to close field, so I offered to work on other projects. No, no, I was told. You have too much to do on your own brands. Later that same week, I was told that the best way to get promoted was to increase visibility and work on other projects.
Also, if the motivation for helping or exceeding job specs is going to come back to you in some positive way, then maybe you should check into that motivation. It seldom works out that way. |
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