What is the correct way to handle this problem that I'm having at work?

Question

I work at a Law office as an assistant. Not a Legal Assistant. In fact, But, mostly as a receptionists. Anyhow, my boss who is the attorney is a perfectionists in my opinion. She expects everything to be perfect even how to fold a letter and putting it in an envelope. A couple of days ago she got angry or frusterated at me because I almost sealed the letter. She told me not to seal however, I did not hear her say that. I begun to seal it then her response was ''do not seal it, don't you listen?'' IMy response was ''I did not hear you.'' Then, she did not say anything. My point is she expects perfection. And, if one little thing is not perfect, she will start yelling or say something rude to me. I'm getting tired of it. What is the correct way to handle this problem that I'm having with my boss at work?

Also, I have no experience as a receptionists. And, make minimum wage.

Answer 1

This is a very common problem. Your boss has employed an inexperienced person at a low wage to do a job, then wants that person (you) to do it like someone who is experienced and would make a great deal more money because of that!

You have a couple of choices.

As others have suggested, you can (of course) simply look elsewhere for another job with a nicer boss. There are always opportunities for people who want to work, but bosses ~especially in small businesses ~ have a tendency to be overworkled, grumpy and sometimes not very nice :-(

The other option is a bit tougher ~ you could decide to get your use out of this job! Your boss is using you ~ return the favour!

Start by asking your boss if you could have a short meeting with her every morning. Ask what tasks she would like you to do during the day, and ask if she has a preference as to how they should be done. If she has, ask that she show you exactly what she wants, then do it that way.

As she is a lawyer, chances are her knowledge of office procedure has come from watching legal secretaries work, or reciving documents from them, so you will learn some important basics.

Also, spell it out ~ you are not experienced but willing to learn. Ask if there are certain jobs she wants you to make decisions about how to do yourself, or if you should wait three months and 'get used to the ropes' before doing so.

Make HER knowledge and experience work for you.

If she hasn't got time to meet with you every day, arrange a morning meeting as often as you can, or failing that, an afternoon meeting.

Bosses quickly come to rely on a good and willing secretary, and you can learn to fulfill her needs very easily.

Organisation is the absolute key to secretarial and administration support work of any kind, so practice your organisational skills, and also practice saying "Yes, I can do that, but not until Thursday" (or whenever the day AFTER you can get it done is. That way you will always be a day ahead of your workload and get a reputation for efficiency. It also helps YOU to have targets.

Another useful thing is to have a chart on the wall outlining the day's activities. Divide it into Monday, Tuesday, etc, then fill in the time for yourself ~ Tuesday, 10 am to 11 am, typing invoices, etc. So, when your boss says 'Can you do this today', you can say, "yes, I can do it at 3 pm".

As time goes by, you will find you have trained your boss to fit in with your schedules, and she will also come to rely on your organisation of the office timetable to ensure things get done.

And remember ~ no matter how bad she gets, NEVER complain about your boss to anyone else. If you have a problem, say to HER "could you let me know the order of priority for those instructions" and "As you know, I am not very skilled in this role, please let me know exactly how you want that done".

Don't lose your cool, always speak well of her and the business (it reflects well on you as a staff member!) and when you take your experience and people management skills to a much better job, with top pay and conditions, you'll not only get a great reference, she'll probably beg you to stay!

Good luck with it all!

Answer 2

Is she really yelling at you and is she really rude?? Ask yourself this.It sounds to me as if she is trying to teach you. Not all of us are the best teachers. In a law office and in the legal world things are done a certain "exact" way. Don't feel as if she is taking a personal attack on you. In most cases that is not what they are doing. Learn every bit of information she as for you and use it to an artform. Once you have that you will be able to take it with you into YOUR office. Not to mention your life. You will run into some situations where you will be glad you have this. Remember its not personal and it for you to learn. You could learn so much from her so change it around and dont get frustrated when YOU screw up. And yes each and every thing IS important.

Answer 3

How did you get a job at a Law Office as a receptionist with no experience?..........

You might want to start looking for another job, because nine times out of ten, if she's yelling at you over something like that, she's probably going to fire you soon anyway. When you do find another job just give her your two week's notice.

Answer 4

She sounds like a tyrant in some regard. Either look for a new job (you may not be qualified for that one) or do what you did in the case of an envelope - point out where the confusion was with you not hearing her. She's probably used to having people cower in fear and taking her outbursts. No offense but it sounds like she hires underqualified people so she has to pay less and tries to train them with tough love.

Answer 5

Look for another job, it's bad enough that you're getting minimum wage without having to put up with an OCD perfectionist's crap.

Answer 6

the law profession is a difficult one. you must try to follow all of the guidelines, that your employer establishes with you upon hiring you. if you feel that she wants perfection, which is not possible from a human being. you need to ask to speak with him or her politely and confidentially about your issues. be sure to let your employer know, that your job is important to you; but, that you are only human. all humans make mistakes. if they can't take it, they can hire a robot.

Answer 7

Obama has failed to act, when he should have. Now, he faces two Republican Governors and all he and his party of like minded Democrats can say is NO. Guess they really are the true party of no. No, ideas, no action(s), no credit, and no common sense.

Answer 8

She does have a professional image that she wants to maintain which is understandable but at the same time she shouldn't be yelling at you. I would tell her, "If I do something wrong then by all means tell me about it and show me how you would like it done but please do not yell at me. I am your employee not a child."

Answer 9

I would repeat to her every instruction she gave me. That way, I am clear on what she said, and she is clear on what she said. People who are bosses have so much stuff running through their heads that they often forget what they say.

If that doesn't work, move on to another job.

Answer 10

Go to a school that teaches medical transcription so you can work at home.