How do I let co-workers know I'm not a babysitter?

Question

I work in an office where I am an assistant to the Director. Unfortunately, others in the office think that I am their assistant as well. In the past, I have been happy to help them with little things but now it is getting overly stressful. They have come to assume that I will do all of the stupid tasks that they just don't feel like doing, like phoning in an order or organizing their mail. I am fine with doing tasks like this for my boss (I know that's my job), but not for every joe in the office.
It is frustrating because I am already so busy that I don't have time to take on all of these tasks, especially not when they have time to do it themselves but just don't want to. Even worse, some of them are control freaks and give me a task but micromanage me the entire time. Even the Director does not check up on me or micromanage my tasks.
I am getting severely disgruntled!
I am not sure how to tell them "No! Do it YOURSELF!" in a polite and professional way.
Any advice?
Thank you!

Answer 1

Well telling them your too busy will only postpone the problem, they will simply come back later or when there's another task they are too lazy to do. The best method would be the old "Eye for an Eye" trick, tell them "Sure, ill call your dinner reservation in but ill need you to.....(throw a few of your errands back at them) so ill have time to finish everything the boss needs me to do and the things Everyone else needs as well." And if they agree to it and keep coming back, well just give them others errands and give their errand to the next guy. WIN WIN and professional

Answer 2

Stay away from negative connotations - "No", "Not my job", "can't"

I would imagine many times you are not really "asked", they just imply they want something done. And probably rarely does anyone say "if you have the time" or "when you get the chance". You may hear thank you, but it's probably not sincere, just an automatic response.

Take stock of your job description and the role you play in your company. Being the "go to" person has advantages and disadvantages and you have definitely made yourself needed and wanted.

Start keeping a To Do list along with an inbox. Jot down even the small things, like changing out the paper tray in the copier and really get a handle on everything you do.

Prioritize your activities into the most important to your boss; the most important for your boss; the most important to the company; the most important to you professionally; the most important to you personally; and lastly, those tasks that need to get done by the end of the day.
By the end of each day, you should be able to visualize your contribution while subtly putting your co-workers "jobs" in their own pecking order. Be professional - be positive - be important.

Answer 3

Go to your boss and let him/her know what is going on. Tell them because of the extra work the others in the office are giving you you are having a tough time keeping up. This should give them the incite to let the others in the office know your not their assistant but the Directors, or it may be that the Director told them its OK for you to do that work.

Answer 4

I was Admin. Assistant to the VP of a large corporation for many years, and ran into similar problems from time-to-time. I always kept my "to-do" work in a tray right on top of my desk where everyone could see, and it was most always chock full. Whenever anyone came by to ask me to do some work for them, first of all I always made sure that the work they wanted me to do did not pertain to what my boss wanted, then I simply said, "as soon as I get to the bottom of Mr. So-and-So's work, I will be glad to give you a hand. Very quickly they gave up.

Answer 5

I don't know how comfortable you feel with telling them directly, but you can say things in a nice way by telling them I am sorry I have alot going on I can't do that at the moment or I am real busy. Sooner or later they will get the hint.

Bottom line you need to talk to your boss and tell him what they are asking of you. He will more than likely talk to them for you.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

I'd just keep telling them your behind on your work already and ask if they could ask someone else, you do not have time to do this and apologize, this will make them realize and back off, if they ask again, say that your too busy your boss has added to your workload so its impossible for you to help everyone out now.

The'll get the point!

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

Answer 7

My advise is the next time one of them comes and give you something like that, just let them know that you are working on a project for your boss and that they will have to take care of it themselves. Be direct, be nice, but after saying no a couple of times, they'll get the message.

Answer 8

You can show them the list of all the things you need to do. Divide that list between urgent; non-urgent but priority and non-urgent & non-priority. Explain that their task is non-uirgent & non-priority, unless they speak to your manager. Estimate when you can get round to do it for them, adding in some possibility for having other urgent stuff. If you say I can fit them in 2-3weeks time then maybe they start getting the message that you are busy and they should be doing it themselves.

Answer 9

Funny went through the same thing but unlike you I told them I would love to help but I am behind in other things that needs to be done, I was done in truth but I just kept on looking busy. They got the hint. By the way I quit that job!!!

Answer 10

Let them know that you have some other project that has a deadline and must be finished before you can work on anything else. Also, if the problem is that bad, I would consider talking to your manager about it. There is no reason you should have to do everyone else's work.