I work for the MD of a big company, I have been here for 8 months now and when I took on the job I was supposed to work for just one person, however they have me working for about 5 senior directors as the other PA's have been off sick long term and various other reasons. The person who did the job before me was covering everyone and in the end nearly had a nervous breakdown. Yesterday I had a one to one with my boss who told me he was very unhappy with me and didnt think my work was up to scratch. I argued that if he wanted one on one relationship with me he needed to get another PA in to cover the other senior directors as I cannot give him the attention he needs or deserves while I am working for everyone else also. I also organised a major conference last week which went so well and had so many people tell me it was the best conference they'd ever been to, but 2 female senior directors told him they thought i hadnt done a very good job?
2007-03-22 21:53:18 · 17 answers · asked by Georgie 5 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
I feel so let down by the whole company- I think these senior females thought that as they couldnt 'see' me the whole time I wasnt working as hard as I should have been, but they did not see what was going on behind the scenes where I was near breaking point trying to sort everything out so that no one else had to worry about anything, they could just enjoy the conference.
I never bring my personal problems in to work but I burst in to tears in the one to one with my boss as I couldnt believe they had these comments when I had put everything I had and more into the conference and trying to work for them all.
I dont want to be here anymore even though I know I should work even harder (although how i can work any harder I dont know) and prove them all wrong but I just have lost all moral and spirit towards my job and the company.
How do I act with dignity now in the office, especially when I have to come face to face with the two back stabbing senior women who slated me off?
2007-03-22 21:57:26 · update #1
they dont value you,see the union or look for a new job,good luck
2007-03-22 21:56:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It seems that it is endemic in the culture of this organisation that this is the way it is with PA's and the way that they are treated.
There is not a great deal you can do to change an organisations culture as an individual, the only way this may change is with a change in management or leadership from above, but you cannot wait and rely on that.
As for the two women, that seems to me to be the general way women treat each other in offices (and often life in general) some form of competitiveness that manifests itself in their attitude which really is just down as bitchiness. My housemate just lost her job for the very same reason and we are looking into what we can do about this.
it is not fair that you should leave a job and have the potential to blight your CV because of this, however, sometimes the best staff are hunted for a company, get there and under perform just because the culture doesn't suit them or their personality, this is not their fault, it is just the way it is.
There is also an issue about the workload they have given you, how can the realistically expect you to do all this work and perform to a satisfactory level, no matter how good people are, we all have limits, if not just in time.
Rather than leave you could consider staying and doing either of the following options:
1. If you stay, and he carries on with his behaviour and follows through what he said that you are not good enough and your work is not up to scratch you may have ground when you leave or are made to leave to seek legal redress.
You both need to sit down and have a plan of how in his perspective you can improve, or actually get him to give examples of how you are poorly performing. Has he actually got an tangible evidence?
2. Join a union, a cheap safeguard in case you wanted to take action should anything happen, they can also provide you with advice.
3. Record everything you do from this point forward and all issues and discussions of this nature, time, dates etc. May always be useful should you seek redress.
4. Consider (though this will not be liked) working to rule and only doing the work that you are paid to do, that being a PA for him and start refusing work that is not within your remit, it will not make you popular but it is within your entitlement to do so.
It could be that you offer to take on too much work, or is this all forced upon you?
Another issue to consider is why are all the other PA's off sick and requiring cover? Is there a high staff attrition rate for this position? Are they all ill and unhappy because of the way that this organisation treats people?
It could be this, and if this is the case, this company really needs it highlighting that this is an issue, and a costly one as recruiting new staff and sick pay is all a costly business and could be remedied by just pointing out to management in a polite way that this is a problem. Perhaps a well justified report on this from all the people in this position?
There are all really just considerations. What is required is communication with your boss, and some form of plan to improve you situation, even if you are not wrong at least you are trying and will always have a come back from being proactive.
If all else works get fired, sue them, then travel the world for a bit!
2007-03-23 05:26:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Been there done that. Not just myself, but many girlfriends and I have all had the "crying attack." Just when you think of yourself as this great independent, hardworking person BAM!! they nail you. Then you go through this period of feeling so foolish, "Why couldn't I hold it together?" and other fun ways of beating youself up.
But don't worry about it. I too once took over a position that was vacated twice because of the boss's attitude. The one just before me DID have a nervous breakdown!!! No joke!
Obviously these people have their head in the sand. Clearly they should not be in the position of managing anyone!
I would try your best to hang with it until you find another job.
Perhaps there is another dept. you could transfer to?
I wish you the best in a tough time. Polish up that resume and get looking. Respect yourself. Find the right job with people who appreciate your efforts.
What would you do if you were in a relationship with someone that treated you so indignantly. I would hope you would say "I would leave!" Life is too short. Move on from these people! It doesn't sound like you could ever be happy or satisfied with them. And they will just keep asking more and more of you. Sounds like a good case of being taken for granted.
I wish you the best. Sometimes, it is just as important to learn from a bad experience as it is in a good one.
2007-03-23 06:25:58 · answer #3 · answered by susie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This may be one company that has a high turnover of people, especially in your position. Sometimes it isn't about how good a job you do, but about the social problems and inner goings on of the higher ups. This is what it sounds like to me. If your boss can't make sense of the very simple fact that your covering for 5 other people makes you highly unavailable to do all your ordinary duties.... and there is no clear guideline for whether your performance is considered good or bad... AND if your predecessor was treated in the exact same way... then this is a doomed position and I'd begin to look for a new job right away before you also have a nervous breakdown.
2007-03-23 04:58:35 · answer #4 · answered by charmedchiclet 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's a tricky situation seeing that all of the people you're up against are in positions of seniority.
I suggest you keep a log of the work you do on an average week, and then when someone kicks off at you again, you will have some evidence that you've been working your bum off and can tell them to clear off! Sometimes in your position you have to stand up for yourself - and having something to back you up will make them step down straight away. Would you have any luck speaking to your HR department since they know what your job description is, and how much work you have to do!
Hold your head high, and don't let the other women get you down. If all else fails, take some pride in telling them where to shove their job - Don't risk a breakdown!
2007-03-23 05:16:30 · answer #5 · answered by ND 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Give your boss a written warning. Write down everything (or more) that you wrote here. Say that if things don't improve you'll be left with no other choice than to voluntarily dismiss yourself from the position, which can lead to you taking the company to industrial tribunal. If it is a high-profile company with several directors then I'm sure they don't want the embarrassement of an industrial tribunal case. Keep a copy of the letter/e-mail you write and also keep copies of any responses you get. If things don't change then you can visit a solicitor and start thinking about that industrial tribunal. But you must give them your concerns in writing first, as you've already voiced your problems verbally. Good luck, and chin up!
2007-03-23 05:08:14 · answer #6 · answered by Luvfactory 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are doing far more work than the original job description suggested. From what you describe this is not a nice person or a nice company! Long term sickness and person before you nearly having breakdown + boss not appreciating what you do+ two female directors obviously jealous of your skills.
Look for another job and join a trade union. now. When you get a new job consider doing them for constructive dismissal, you will need union support for this.
2007-03-23 05:02:35 · answer #7 · answered by brian t 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To be truthfull I havent read all of your letter ,but ic an see the way its going . Women are not the generous paragons of Virtue that society would have us believe . The casting couch is also present in the office with vicious female rivalry to boot . You will always be exploited in a capatalistic society. Slavery does not only pertain to a situation with black people 200 years ago it is alive and kicking in Britain 2007 with women and children , and underpaid wage slaves , usually the service industries basic wage slaves.
Drop out do not stay at this job any longer , do not be taken for granted thier only lettinjg thier viscous insecure ,bullying ,spite on you .
Go to the doctor tell themof your depression , they know what the world of work is for bullying , most of thier patients need emotional support from Bullying .
And then give yourself time to reassesss, Think of your skills and become self employed you still hasve problems ,but ones you will want to solve , not artificial ones created by prole who want to keep you down because of thier insecurites and fear .
2007-03-23 05:37:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
All you have to do is keep doing your best, and keep working as hard as you have been .... whatever the outcome delivers, at least you can hold your head up high and say that you give the job 100% . These directors obviously want blood out of a stone which is totally selfish .... Just keep plugging away dear and don't let it get you down.
2007-03-23 05:05:01 · answer #9 · answered by Smarty 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Can you bring your points to the attention of someone in the HR department? It seems to me like you're being asked to fulfil more than the terms of your contract (doing the work of several other people!), so it needs sorting out. If your boss isn't happy because you're spreading yourself too thinly then that needs addressing - put the onus on them, rather than on you - what are THEY going to do about it. You've been given unrealistic targets and the whole situation needs clarification. Best of luck!
2007-03-23 05:04:00 · answer #10 · answered by Roxy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Find a new job first.
Then when you take your letter of resignation to your boss you can explain the reasons for your departure, and tell him that he needs to treat his next PA a lot better if he wants to keep her.
Make sure that you are polite. He needs to realise what he has lost!
2007-03-23 05:08:27 · answer #11 · answered by Copper 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋