My boss is meeting with a state representative today and told me?

Question

that if he wants some coffee, I SHOULD get it for him. Uhm, she is the freakin hostess, shouldn't SHE be playing waitress for him? What would you do?

This was not a simple request to be courteous to a state official. I have no problem being nice to visitors. Her request was made in such a way to say, "if he wants coffee, I will direct YOU to get it for him (because it's too demeaning for ME to do it). She loves to 'play' big shot--she even purposely MIS PRONOUNCES my name when introducing me. She has been called on the carpet more than once for being rude and nasty to her staff. There is NO reason she could not have offered to get him coffee if he wanted it. In fact, he was just here and declined --but she stood right in front of the coffee machine and was turning toward me to 'direct' me to oblige, when I would have had to walk right between the two of them to get it.
I have offered coffee to guests in the office before..........and gotten it myself when they accepted the invitation. Courtesy is courtesy.

Adding-I am NOT a secretary or receptionist. I am the fiscal account clerk in our office. My job is to make sure the money we receive goes to the correct account-and everyone in our office types their OWN correspondence-including my supervisor. We have all pitched in to help each other with deadlines--we are a good team. However, her aire of superiority when someone she sees as "important" is around is VERY irritating. Since she does have a history of being demeaning to her staff, I know the union would've backed me if I chose to say no, however I do have to work with her-so would refusing have been worth it? Too bad she can't be more like herself in the presence of HER superiors.

Answer 1

If this is a one-time or rare occurrence then do your boss the favour and get the coffee. She probably has more important things to focus on than serving. Plus, she will (hopefully) notice your willingness to pitch in and be a team player. If this is a regular occurrence though, I would sit down with her and mention that this wasn't listed as one of your accountabilities as part of your job and you are surprised that she would start asking you to do this now. Then listen to what she has to say with an open mind. You don't say what your role is, so that will factor in.

Good luck!

Answer 2

The serving of refreshments is not a horrible job, especially if it is only on this rare occasion that you are asked to help out. I have never asked my staff to bring me coffee, but...they always offer to get me a cup and bring it to my desk. Sometimes I say yes, sometimes no. I would ask you what you would say and feel if she asked you to type a letter to the state representative? Would you say "you're the boss, you're having the meeting with him, you type it". LOL...Basically, a job is a job and if you are not asked to do something illegal, or dangerous, it is still within her right to ask you to do any task. If you don't like this aspect to your job, you always have the right to quit!