What is the best way to handle a situation when my  boss gives me a bunch of tasks to do and says she wants them done today and I know that I cannot do it all. In the past I have asked her to prioritize and her response would be that they are all high priority.  Thank you.

I have volunterred to take over the task of managing our office supplies. I would any tips. I would also appreciate any sample supply/inventory forms. Thank you.

My manager just resigned and I have a new manager. I have a relationship with this person because she has been an  administrative officer in our department. I asked my new manager if I can leave 45 minutes earlier in 2 weeks, i .e., use vacation time. She replied by saying that if I find someone to cover she will approve the leave. Our temp  is available to work a later shift that day. I would be with her up to 5:30 pm and she would be on her own from 5:30 to 6:15 pm. However, it is, in fact,the manager's responsibility in my organization to arrange for coverage. How do I convey that to my manager in a professional, diplomatic manner?   I do not want to always have to arrange coverage if I want to take time off.

My lead worker does not unlock his computer. I had a discussion today with him and the manager about this. What they told me is that he does not want me to use his computer because he was told that I had done something to cause computer problems in the past.  Therefore, he is concerned that I would cause problems with his computer now.  I discussed this today with our department tech person. What she told me was vague. She said that I have left a "trail of broken equipment" and that everytime in the past when she was called into fix a computer problem I was the last person on it. It has been over a year since she has fixed any problems. She claims that when I would strike some keys (I was struggling with trying to learn how to perform a function and I tend to be impatient)and that  that could cause computer configuration problems. Still this has been a long time. I do not recall causing any problems. The only thing I remember is that there was a jam in our printer. One of the staff was anxious to get a document to print from there and I may have accidentally broken something to clear the jam. As a result they had to get an expensive part. I say I MAY have broke it then because other people had tried to clear the jam too. This was several years ago! And I have not "caused" any problems within the last year. We had two office workers who stirred up gossip about me in the past. I believe this stems from that. I would appreciate any advice you can give me. What I am trying to fix here is a reputation for causing tech problems in our department. I feel adamant that this is not really based on fact.  I asked when for specific facts/instances about what I did to break the computer and she could not come up with anything specific. I can't think of any way to deal with this issue other than to involve my Union to facilitate working through this. The reason, by the way, why I want to use his computer -- and I have discussed this with my manager and the lead worker -- is that I want to learn Access and eventually create databases for staff. There is no other computer in my work area that can support Access. And it is not feasible for me to leave my work area because my work involves dealing with customers that come to the window. I am trying to expand my work skills and become more valuable to our department.

I posted this issue, which is still ongoing, back in October 01. There is a coworker who continues to criticize my work abilities: she tells management that I am incompetetent and she is sabatoging my career in this department. Management just "loves" this person. I am constantly feeling belittled and put down no matter how hard I try. I am expected to be perfect. And I am trying so hard. Needless to say I am burning out.

Specifically, my manager (she has been my manager since 4/1) spoke to me the other day and said that I had a bad reputation. She listed several things: 1) my breaking down computer equipment, 2) my having a reputation of inappropriately displaying anger, and 3) my inability to organize my work so that the work gets done in a timely manner. I know that this information  is being communicated by the "bully."

1) Breaking down computer equipment: Everyone uses the computers. She accused me of messing around with files and that is why we ended up getting a new computer platform. This is an absolute ridiculous accusation because I use the computer to do my job. I have not "messed around" with files. A piece came loose in the printer after I attempted to clear out a jam. I put the piece back in. The next day the "bully" removed the piece and said as a result of her having removed the piece the printer was then working. Later that day I was accused of breaking a piece. I explained that many people were "fooling" with the printer in an attempt to clear up the paper jam. I was also trying to be helpful, not ruin equipment!

2) Anger.

a)  Back in August 01 I told a volunteer to be quiet because I was trying to concentrately in a tone of irritation. I admit I could have been a bit more diplomatic. I attempted to apologize and talk to this person but he refused any further discussion. He has gone around and told people that I told him to "shut up."

b) In December 01 I exploded at the bully inappropriately in front of a patient because of her disrespectful treatment. I had a discussion with the former manager about this.

These are both old events. None of these events have recurred


3) While  I am not a speed demon, my tasks get done.  

All  throughput  this time I have  been put down and insulted. And my concerns have been discounted.

I have an appt with my union tomorrow. They have already told me that the new manager has violated the contract since she is bringing up issues that came up before "her reign."

I have been and am trying so hard to be the good employee they want.

I need your support, advice, and encouragement.


Thank you.

I wish I knew shorthand. Can't find any classes. I think it is a very useful skill. Can be used to take notes at work or in a classroom setting or lecture. Or meeting minutes. It is such a practical skill. I might get a hold of some of the books that were recommended on this post.

These are other staff -- above rank from the admins -- who would speak on my behalf. I am trying to seek resolution to whatever is going on. I have worked  for an organization in the past where there was tension and eventually things worked out. Although, I have to admit, this is a different situation. Susan

P.S. I am still on probation.

Hi everyone. I appreciate your responses to my previous posting about being perceived as a good worker. As it turned out, one of the secretaries put up a partition near the copier and that has improved my work environment tremendously -- at least the physical part.

I would like to get your feedback. I am having a conflict with the other secretaries -- there is tension -- especially with one of the secretaries more so than the other. I really am not sure what this is about. Partly our styles are very different. Anyway, I did not feel comfortable approaching this secretary directly. I was just afraid that I would get upset and get too emotional. So I went to my manager. The meeting turned out to be fairly positive, although I did feel discounted somewhat when she suggested that on the couple of occasions when I took offense at what the other secretary did that she was trying to be helpful. Anyway on Friday, one of the staff there commented that she thought I was getting flack from the other secretaries. She said that she would talk to the manager on my behalf. I gave this person a hug because I felt so validated and spontaneously added that it would be great if a "gang" of staff spoke on my behalf. What I mean by "gang" is a more than one person.

A "friend" of mine who is an MBA  told me that I should not have done this and that this could backfire and put my job in jeopardy. I am a nervous wreck right now.  My job is very important to me. I just don't do well when there is so much tension. My agenda is to have a harmonious work environment. I realize it won't be perfect. At the same time I want to keep the tension at a minimum. And I don't want to be terminated! I want to be deemed a good employee!!!

Lori,



I am so sorry about your terrible experience at that company. That is just a rotten way to treat an employee. At least you know it was not a reflection of your skills and abilities. Sounds like the agency you worked with was very supportive. I am so glad things worked out for you.



Your new job sounds great. Sounds like they will treat you well and with respect. Congratulations, Lori. I am sorry glad you prevailed! Keep us posted on how things go on your new job.



Susan

I have read numerous job hunting guides that advise the job searcher to send out a thank you note to the interviewer. Does sending out a thank you card to the interviewer really makes a difference? My husband's boss says that this might be a nice touch but this does not influence her decision whether or not to hire a candidate. What do you think?

I was reviewing a job description for an admin job that I will be interviewing for next week. It says "Physically demanding tasks: minimal. Must be able to sit for long periods of time in front of computer terminal. Lift boxes for filing (approx. 50 pounds) etc." I cannot lift much beyond 20 pounds. When they ask me "do I have any weaknesses as it relates to the job," do I need to say that I can't lift more than 20 pounds?



I also interviewed for a receptionist job. I was given a job description at the interview. Under physical demands, it said something about lifting items weighing up to 30 pounds. The day after the interview the employer telephoned me to tell me I was one of the finalists and asked if I would have problems lifting 30 pounds. I replied that I did not as I honestly did not think that would be a problem. I later on experimented lifting different weight boxes. I found out that I would have difficulty lifting more than 23 pounds. I am really in a tizzy about this one. I am worried that if I call the employer at this stage of the game that I would be out of the running as there is another final candidate being considered. I need your advice.



Susan

I wanted to add that I used to be on call in that office which is why it felt somewhat of a personal affront to me. And I was in a situation yesterday where I had a heavy workload, and the IT folks were not available to assist me. My goal was to get the work done.



I agree most with KKosmoski and Yankeestarbuck. I do feel that office is being stingy. Nevertheless I won't pursue it with that manager at this point.



Thanks again for your help with this.



Susan

I work as a medical transcriptionist. I was at work today when something happened to my monitor and it started make an obnoxious noise. I called another medical transcriptionist office in my hospital to find out if I could use their computer because I believe they have the software that I use. That transcriptionist called me back saying she spoke to the manager and that they do not have that software. I really believe they do have that software because I used their system several years ago and recall using the software that I use in my job. I believe that either the manager does not know they have the software (she is not computer savvy) or for whatever reason did not want me to use a workstation in their office. I told the person who gave me the manager's response about their not having the software that I really believe that they have the software because I seemed to remember using it in their office and asked if I could check. She told me that "the supervisor should know." I stopped by that office later and another person came on duty later and I asked if I could check to see if they had that software and she told me that I would need to call the manager. She would not let me check her computer -- she said she was too swamped. My plan is to ask a friend who works there if I could check her computer. If I find out they have the software, I would then call the manager to let her know that I checked a computer there and found out that they in fact have the software and that I thought she would want to know. I would also ask her directly if she would have some problem with my using their computer should something happen to my equipment.



I would like to get your opinion. I really feel the need to satisfy my curiosity as to whether or not they have the software. And 1) I feel the manager should know they have the software and 2) I really prefer people to be direct with me rather than say they don't have the software if it is a question of her not wanting me to use their workstation.



I would like to get your input.





Susan

I am concerned that numbering the forms could be confusing because the forms already are numbered. For example, the H&P form is form number 98-648.