What would you do?

[oceangirl]

What would you do?

I’ve found myself in position where I am doing some more of the unit director’s day to day admin work  and all of his travel as his own PA wont do it anymore because he’s too picky. ( her words)

 It was sold to me by the boss as a way of moving his PA sideways, and that I would take all of his admin requirement while his PA would move into another role doing special projects.- I still have my own fulltime role as well. 

 A couple of months later I was also told ( not asked) that I would be taking on some admin work  from another area as the admin there had been promoted and  therefore she wouldn’t have time!  ( Her first day back she sent 3 emails about group nights out and was spotted standing taking to the same two girls for about 40 minutes – who sit opposite her within the first hour and 1/2! It didn’t go down well!)   

The idea of this extra work ( with no extra cash) made me feel some what sorry for myself. Then mad!  So I spent a very happy afternoon writing to my line manager about this as I felt it would have stopped me from any development of my own as there wouldn’t be time and I would have too much daily admin to do and not enough time increased hours etc… and perhaps extra cash would make the difference (no chance!)   And yet it would allows others to develop but not me.  Was it all about people?.  Oh yeah that the company  slogans.  Only  If your face fits is the line I find myself adding…

 My line manager felt there was little he could do but he would discuss with HR and the Boss.  Some days later  The boss did say that it wouldn’t be happening and that I wasn’t taking on the 2nd lot of admin. ( sometimes taking the boss to the railway station can be very useful!)

So nothing has happened about the 2nd lot of admin  and from the first lot The boss’s PA wont give up some of the day to day role.   (Personally I think and he has admitted it, that he’s a little  scared of her!) and she doesn’t like him- He’s a little old fashioned as he would like his PA to sort all aspects of his life out like buying his wife’s birthday present etc.  This drives her daft!  (Which amuses me somewhat as most people in our office do what she says and people find her very sharp and tended to come to me because I’m more approachable.)

I’ve spoken to my line manager today who says that it is a bit of odd situation and that there may be no real way of sorting it out.

 Anyway I am hoping that I am force the issues as I have just applied for an internal role as PA to another director of a different unit of a company we have just taken over. 
I’d be sorry to leave as I like the people. Well most of them.  It’s certainly not dull! 

  But this cherry picking is doing my head in.  I do all the grunt work and then never get to go to the meeting.  I feel like Cinderella!  Have you ever tried to type up someone else cryptic minutes?

Where is my fairy godmother when I need her? Oh by the way  it was the PA  who actually saw the job advert and gave it to me.  So perhaps that tells me all I need to know.  That I am better off moving on? Or leaving the director with her.

What do you think?

Should I:

Go back to The director and say this isn’t working for me.
Just keep calm and carry on?
Apply outside?
Shrug my shoulders and think like “WHATEVER” like a petulant 16year old?  Even down to making the W with fingers and thumbs!



Any ideas

[gee4]

Almost a repeat of what's happening in my organisation...

http://www.deskdemon.com/dnet/index.php?topic=10432.0

Much as I hate to use this word, there are 'wasters' in every company.  The problem is, they are ignored or rewarded because they are favoured by management.  Sadly it's all too common these days and if a manager is too scared of someone or likes how someone else books their travel, then they will never approach the unapproachable.

It's Friday, so first of all get through today and then look forward to your weekend.  If there are other opportunities in your organisation which you can apply for, then go ahead.  However I wouldn't jump ship just yet.

The secretaries in my company got together recently as a group to discuss how we are going to approach the new change in duties that we weren't directly informed about.  We are now in formal discussions with management and I suggest you might want to ask similar questions if you feel that's the route you want to take.

We have another meeting in one month's time to feed back any issues about workload etc so you could use my experience to do the same.

Let us know how you get on.

[Cathy S]

Before you start tackling the organisation do you have a clear picture of what you want from your career over the next couple of years?  If not then start with that and create a framework for yourself.  Look at the priority skills you think you will need.

Then if you want to stay in that job with the people you mostly like be prepared to make the case for why you should lose some of the grunt work and what your progression expectations are.  In the meantime there is no harm in applying for other positions if they interest you ... but you will still need a clear idea of your personal career aims to help you be successful there.

The one thing you shouldn't do - however much you feel like it - is the petulant 16 yr old bit! you want to progress something like that will count far harder against you than anything else; it will show in your body language and attitude far more than you realise.  To avoid this scenario try and find a really good trusted friend who will let you vent from time to time and get rid of the frustration.

Good luck in working through this and getting what you want from the situation - hope you will let us know how you get on.

Cathy

[gee4]

Cathy,

For info we aren't "tackling the organisation", we are working together towards a mutual agreement. 

I am sure oceangirl knows very well where she wants her career to go which is why she is disgruntled and has shared her thoughts and feelings.

[Cathy S]

Gee I do apologise for not being clear - I was replying to the original post rather than you. 

I think your situation involving a group of similar staff and a restructure is considerably different to Oceangirl who is addressing changes to her working patterns which are being dripped piecemeal into her role ... in this case she is very much tackling the organisation.

Having been in both situations on several occasions, both as the staff and management, I do understand what both feel like from the inside and from both sides of the fence.