Should I speak up about my job?

Question

I work in a small law office with two partners Ashley and Janice. I am assigned to Ashley as her administrative assistant. The job pays well, $35K per year, but it has it downsides. Ashley is really busy and I do everything from getting her drycleaning, fetching her coffee to making sure the cleaning company comes to her home.

This is not great, but recently it got worse. Ashley came back from a client meeting and called me into her office. She said she was beat and asked me to give her a foot massage. This seemed really inappropriate but I did not think I could say no. I sat next to her and she took off her shoes and I proceeded to give her feet a massage. This was really unpleasant as she had been wearing heels and hose all day. While I did this she totally ignored me and talked on the phone to a client.

I felt a little demeaned afterwards, but Ashley has come to expect this now. I was actually considering quiting my job.

Answer 1

Tell her that you are not comfortable giving her a foot massage but have found some people that can come in and give the massage professionally. Would she like to put them on a regular schedule? If she insists that she likes the way you do it, tell her that it was not part of the original job description (verbal or otherwise) and you will no longer be doing that.

Answer 2

Getting her coffee and fetching dry cleaning is one thing, even though a bit demeaning, but giving a foot massage is over the top. Getting her dry cleaning might allow her some time to attend her job, but there's no reason in hell you should be giving foot massages.

Talk to Janice. She is probably very aware of Ashley's quirks. If Janice isn't offended and won't stand up for you, look for a new job.

Alternatively, talk to a lawyer in some other office that does job discrimination work. Document everything, and then refuse to do it one day. If they fire you, you can sue them - it's so over the top that I'm sure you can get it, and although they're lawyers, some other lawyer would probably love to have a field day with an improper termination.

FWIW, it'll never get to court. They'll settle out of court because the last thing they need is that kind of publicity.

Talk to Janice. Document your conversation. If nothing comes of it, take the next step, so to speak.

Answer 3

You are right this is inappropriate - not least because it could be construed as sexual harresment. Next time she asks - be prepared. Say that you don't think it is appropriate for you to do that and give her the details of a company that does and offer to make an appointment for her.

You could be very proactive and get details of one of those in office massage companies and ask her if she wants you to make a regular appointment for her. She pays - not you.

This is a tactful way of saying - not your job - but still pandering to her wishes.

If this does not work have a quiet word with Janice and ask her to have a word with Ashley.

Answer 4

There are other law firms out there that do not require their assistants to fetch personal things. You shouldnt have to do that and that too for $35K!

Answer 5

$35,000 wouldn't be enough to make me do that. Hell, Gene Simmons wife could spend that in one afternoon shopping! Go back to college if you can. I would find it demeaning as well. Good luck, & have a nice day tomorrow.

Answer 6

administrative assistant ! being the KEY WORDS . you should mention this to her or her boss . you are there to help her with her job details ! not as her physical therapist. and in a calm manner speak with her or her boss in regaurds to your demise. should you injure her foot she can sue you . can't she? ,, not that she would ,,,,, just a thought tho ,,, best of luck.