Interesting word, isn't it?!

I believe it's an alternative to calling someone a 'little hitler'.  Personally, I don't think it's appropriate for the workplace but it's good general knowledge!

I came across a little 'Jobsworth' cartoon image last night that read "This is the right place at the right time, but I'm afraid you brought the wrong paperwork."     

Hey all!

Umm... have you ever been called a jobsworth/called anyone else a jobsworth?  What do you think of the phrase?

Looking forward to hearning your views!

 

Okay, I know I'm monumentally too late for this one but...

The best, best, best way of removing permanent marker from a wipe board is to use a rubber - just a normal eraser that you'd use to get rid of pencil marks on paper - to remove the ink and then clean the wipe board in the way that you usually do.  It leaves no marks and no residue.  Done!

You'd be amazed how often I need to do this after Exec meetings    ha!

Rocket - I love the thinking!

I'll match your symmetrical foods for novelty shaped lunch foods...     

Hi all

Just to lighten the mood...

You might remember that I recently had a change of title to be 'Personal Assistant'.  Well, I've recently had to politely pont out to one Executive that I work with that referring to me in his emails as 'Personal Ass.' was probably not great for his reputation - or mine!!!   

I love this board!

I'm so lucky to be able to ask these questions and get really helpful answers - thanks to you all!

I've been taking all of the advice: new CV, diary of events/comments (several pages already - a real eye opener and a little scary, if not validating) etc.

If nothing else, I feel like I am starting to get a bit more of a grip on the situation... perhaps half the battle is having the right tools at my disposal.

Hi Gee

Yes, thanks - I hear what you're saying!  I could understand if it were part and parcel of my job, but it really, really isn't.  I can cope absolutely fine with the stressful workload, late hours and pressures etc.  I also understand that they need to sound off TO somebody (and this is fine with me, I know where I stand in that situation)... it's being sounded off AT that I'm having problems with at the moment.  It's hard to explain, but Boss has a new habit of leaning forward on a table eyeballing you and making random things 'your problem'.  Same thing happened this time last year and lasted months - I guess I just don't relish going through it again.

New found personality clash maybe? (I have been in post with this boss for several years now).

Chin up and keeping one eye on the employment agency it is then... because hiding under the desk is just childish!   

Well, this time of year seems to be taking it's toll... Boss get's very difficult this time of year - does anyone else have a 'seasonal' boss?  Mine is using me as a whipping girl this week... I want to blame it on the clocks changing!  That said, my life was a misery this time last year and only really recovered in August.

For example, Boss thinks it's ok to blame me for government legislation (!), and to basically have a really strong 'attitude'.  Looking at it objectively it is quite funny, but it's hard to laugh when you're on the receiving end.

So, what do you think - do I get out of the kitchen because I can't take the heat, or politely mention it to Boss (!)

Guess I'm feeling hard done by today!   

Gosh!

I feel sorry for the critic personally!  Their actions just make them out to be rude and lacking confidence.  Well, that's what I think anyway - can't immediately think of any other reasons why anybody would make a direct comment unless it was to make themselves feel or look better?  Maybe they didn't get packed lunches as a child, or maybe it's just their personal taste.

I have a packed lunch every day; if it's not smelly or messy why should anybody else care?!

As an aside... why does part of me want to suggest putting a mousse/desert on their desk with a post it note asking them to give it a try?!   

Hi all!

How do you politely tell your colleagues to butt out of a situation... actually, how do you tell them to butt out of everything?  I have a colleague here who is doing their best to stir trouble (possibly on purpose).  By this, I mean that they keep 'mentioning' inaccurate information to other colleagues, who then come and harrass me for an explanation - things that are nothing to do with them, or in fact me.  The staff member also comes to me with the most ridiculous queries, fighting against policies and management decisions.  (I'm a PA for reference).

A bit vague, but I hope you get the general idea.  This is starting to become a real issue, and the person in question (a peer) is a very forceful personality - to everyone at all levels of the organisation.

It's taking all of my energy to remain polite and calm.   

Congratulations Gee!

Yes, you're absolutely right - none of us really know what is around the corner.  Your post just proves that you can dust yourself off and move on positively, it is just a shame that you have had to.

Reading your message, I think perhaps it is better that you had your holidays booked before receiving the news - they might not have been half as fun otherwise (or maybe you wouldn't have gone at all?)!   

Your message was lovely - and I know I don't post in here very often, but I wanted to wish you everything that you wished us.  Have a fantastic summer, and congratulations on your two years!  (Here's to the next two!)

Write EVERYTHING down.  Sometimes twice 

- Keeping a communal 'to do' list - future planning.

- Scheduling in blank blocks of my managers time (even if it is only 10 minutes a week) to allow a catch up at a time   
  when I KNOW my manager is going to be free for me.

- Maintaining a fully comprehensive desk manual - mine currently stands at 100+ pages as it incorporates my tasks and
  details of what is expected of me, as well as all things directly relevant to my manager.   This includes contact details, 
  website addresses, regular deadlines, 'how to...' details etc.  Having a written record of our shared requirements is 
  vital.  We are a team of two - we need to be on the same page.
 
- Having a shared 'interesting info' tray, where either one of us can put anything interesting (articles, correspondance,
  magazines etc) helps us to keep each other up to date with random interesting things that may or may not be directly
  related to our specific work.

Joined straight out of college - 7 and a half years with the same organisation, but have had 7 different jobs (moved positions regularly by choice, and am still here).   Wow, put like that I really have moved about a bit!    I think the experience in the different sections of my organisation has really helped me with what I do.  So far it has worked out well for me - and the organisation too.

This might sound like an obvious question, but I was wondering what you all though about the worth/value of highlighting problems to the boss.  We were having a talk a work, and it got me thinking.

I've read all the blurb about not being emotional and stating the facts in relation to why the problems are an issue for the company, BUT what would you do if you were constantly at a disadvantage?  I.e not knowing about meetings you are supposed to attend, having to create the same document twice because it's been deleted off the system by someone else, that sort of thing.  I know that we all face these sorts of problems - it comes with the job!

Do you think most bosses would just tell you to take a flying jump and get a new job rather than address the issues within the company?

I'm a bit intrigued!

Thanks all for the insight!

Oh Cathy - you sound so down