Feeling Under Valued?

Hi all

I bet you can relate to how I'm feeling at the moment.  My employer guaranteed that I would be able to attend a course for one day per week throughout the academic year, and is now doing a bit of what can only be described as 'back-peddling'.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my job, but I'm having a bit of a low!  My employer has been subtly putting stumbling blocks in my way to try and prevent me starting the cours (in September), and maybe I'm wrong, but I just get the impression that they really aren't keen for me to do it.

Worst of all (in my opinion) is that the course is COMPLETELY relevant to my job role.

Just feeling under-appreciated!  I'll chipper up any minute now!

How are you all going at the moment?

[gee4]

Dippa I feel for you.  It seems those employed in more specialised roles are always encouraged to progress and develop.  This is something I have always felt strongly about and yes it seems at times we are under-valued.

A lot of employers do not feel it is necessary for admins to attend courses or engage in professional development programmes.  My question would be....how do you expect to retain your administrative staff if you do not encourage and develop them?  It is discrimination against all those who provide administrative support.

Perhaps there are financial restraints around future training for you and other admins or perhaps there is a fear you may move on to bigger and better things.
 
Have you addressed the issue and ascertained why your training has suddenly been halted?

[msmarieh]

As a possible alternative perspective, it could be that you are over-appreciated - that your boss is worried about doing without you for that one day a week over such a long period of time.

What steps have you taken to ensure that your work will be covered, that your backup will be trained, that you will be able to check in (say on breaks and lunch) to ensure things are going smoothly. Have you been reassuring your boss of the steps you have taken and explaining how little this course will impact your office workload? Have you given your boss an opportunity to express the concerns that he is having so that you can allay them or make sure they are addressed if you haven't thought about them?

It may not be personal at all, but pragmatic concern that is leading to the back pedalling. I would assume it actually has nothing to do with wanting to hold you back (though without being there of course, I couldn't swear to it), and everything to do with his concern of how the work will be done when you are gone.

Just a thought.

Marie
Peer Moderator

[gee4]

It could also be jealousy.  I have experienced it before.  It doesn't bode well when men see women progress or want to further their career.  They can feel intimidated, even if it's your boss.

Marie may be right but it makes me mad that someone would stand in your way because they couldn't do without you.  One day a week isn't going to make a huge difference if your boss knows about it in advance and you have your work covered.

That's why I don't believe in spoon-feeding these people.  They rely on us so much that when we want a day off of ask to attend a training course, they aren't sure they can do without us - utter rubbish if you ask me.  They should want you to progress.  They should want us to further our career and then be proud that they have the best assistant around.

Honestly, common sense sometimes is lacking!  Is it any wonder some of us move on from jobs?

Thanks both for your posts - definitely things to consider there.

I have my annual review on the 19th, so I'll try and combine all the things you've suggested to allow me to broach the subject with my Boss.

You both have very interesting perspectives (thank you!) - I like the idea that it's appreciation.  That said, I have decided that I will request to use all of my holiday allowance and overtime to attend the course, or worst case scenario,  for my hours to be reduced by one day per week.

Unfortunately the attitude has made me consider all of my options, and even the possibility of transfering to another department.  I guess it's a case of 'whatever will be, will be'.

Good old Doris Day!

[gee4]

I would only offer to use holiday/overtime or reduce hours as a last resort.

Perhaps this is what your boss is hoping you will do.

[msmarieh]

I agree with gee on that. I would not put that offer on the table at all, at least nowhere up front. Let him raise his concerns, but this is professional development and job related. Using that type of leave should be absolute last option after all other choices are exhausted.

Are there any formal policies on this at your workplace? Anyone else doing something similar that will have set a precedent?


Marie
Peer Moderator

I have another reason to love DD.

I followed your advice, gathered all of my information and met with my Boss.

Guess what?  I'm able to go to the course - no questions asked!

I can't tell you what this means - I was all prepared to use my holiday/tender my notice but explained the situation to my Boss (and reminded them about the previous agreement for me to attend) and they said that 'with all due consideration, they are pleased to support this development activity'.

I can't tell you what a weight off my mind this is.  Bit of a u-turn by the Boss, but I'm certainly not complaining!

Thank you again for your suggestions and advice.

[gee4]

Sometimes Dippa, you catch them on a good day and they forget what they said not just yesterday, but last week.

Good for you. I guess if you don't ask, you don't get.

[msmarieh]

Yeah! That's wonderful news.

Sometimes when people are acting negative about a situation, if you call them out on it (nicely), it kind of snaps them back into a more appropriate attitude. I am so glad you had this conversation.

I recently wrote a blog posting on my IAAP blog about not letting worry rule your emotions - because so often people worry about things that never come to pass. Not to make light of your situation, but this is a good example of that - you were mentally prepared to quit over a complete non issue. That's a lot of emotional energy you have spent on this subject recently.

I'm so glad things worked out for you.


Marie
Peer Moderator

[peaches2160]

Glad it worked out for you!

Thanks all!

I can't tell you what a skip I've had in my step since finding out!  It's completely true isn't it:

"Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once"