What should I do about my "supervisor"?

Question

I use the term supervisor loosely because technically I dont work for her I work with her. I am enrolled in the work study program at my school and I have a job as a secretary, kind of. The lady that I report to is the real secretary of the department. She is always giving me her work and trying to make it seem like, I am her assistant. She's cool when its just us but when other people are around she tries to make herself seem like she has authority over me. She starts barking out orders and cutting me off every time I try to speak. And she always wants me to do like a million things at one time. I have no problem with her being my "boss" but I guess I am just tired of her acting like I am just the help when other people are around. I think she does it because she wants to feel important. I am not sure if I should go to the head of the work study program at my school or speak with the head of the department I work for. If I go to the WS head then I will more then likely be reassigned.

Well, she is old enough to be my mother, so I dont really know how to go about it. I mean I would approach her totally different then I would someone closer to my age.

seeking intelligence- you are way off base. I have been doing this job for a like a year now. You dont know her at all and you dont know me at all. So, I respectfully ask you to, shut up.

Answer 1

I don't think age is too relevant here. I think the issue is respect. It's very important that whenever you feel like you are being treated unfairly by someone you confront them on this. She may have no idea she's doing this or she may know and thinks you'd never say anything to her about. If she's having you do work you're not suppose to be doing then you may want to bring that up to your supervisor.. Also, work study program are normally not suppose to be so stressful. Schools purposely make them this way because they understand you are a student and they don't pay as much as they would in the real world.

Take notes (actual hand written notes) when you notice her being unfair jot it down and then when you approach her tell her of those incidents. Good Luck!

Answer 2

Keep an open mind on this one...she is your mentor for the time being. She may be a bit authoritative in the company of others, but she is just pulling on the leash. You can rest in knowing that she won't have that leash forever. She goes back to the old secretary pool like everyone else when you leave.

Until then, you need her to show you the right and wrong way. Listen with respect and follow directions. The best way to put her in her place is to show her you are a mature worker and that you will follow directions. Thank her for showing you how to work in an office and for taking an interest in your work study program.

This is "reverse-physcology" which will soften her heart and push her back a step to see and hear herself. When she does, she will catch on that she has been a bit hard on you. In the meantime, you are showing her that you can "take it" in the corporate world and that she can't overwork you!

Stay busy, stay successful! If you can work through this test, you can make it in the work world where they "really" pay you for working!

Answer 3

Before you go over her head, muster up the courage to speak to her about this directly. Tell her that you notice these behaviors and want to know where the lines of responsibility are drawn. Do either of you have a job description written down so you know your own responsibilities? Ask her directly: Am I to report to you? Am I your assistant/subordinate? Are you my boss?

Let her know that you're asking because you want to be clear about your working relationship.

If she says anything less than satisfactory, you then go over her head for clarification.

But be sure to have a congenial tone of voice so she won't get defensive. Remember, you have to work with this woman and you want a pleasant work environment.

Truthfully from what you said, it does sound as though you were hired to be her assistant. She might cool down once she knows YOU know your place. With that said, your place is not under her foot. You still deserve respect and if you feel she isn't showing you any, you can mention that during your conversation.

If it becomes unbearable, ask for a reassignment. She'll be sorry to lose a good worker.

Answer 4

speak to your work study supervisor and hopefully u can be transferred. in all honesty thats the reality of life and being in a work force. when your the lowest person on the todeum pole ur most likely the one who others want to outshine, etc. trust me i am a receptionsit and the other receptionist constantly competing with me to look better. its the reality of people being egotistical. i hope that you dont let this situation get the best of you, use it as a tool to realize peoples negative attitudes and how they try to put you down and how you must be a bigger person and rise above it. if u dont feel u can speak to your supervisor and request a chaneg of work place. good luck!

Answer 5

Take it to her, first. Way better to approach her objectively to try to resolve it than to take it to a supervisor. If it doesn't go anywhere, then figure out how you're going to address it - maybe ask a supervisor to define the roles and responsibilities of each person, and make sure it's clearly defined who reports to whom. If she's pawning her work off on you, and its not really within her authority, simply tell her "I'm sorry, but I can't take on that work."

Answer 6

Since she is "cool" when nobody else is around, why don't you just ask her about it when you 2 are alone? Consider this an exercise asserting yourself (look up the word assertive to prepare yourself). Regardless of how she responds, this is good experience for you. It'll help you grow and develop your professional skills. After all, that's what work study is all about.

Answer 7

It will be hard to explain how she treats you like a pee-on when other people are around because it is a matter of subjective opinion. But you could go and just say that you feel that she may be overstepping her boundaries as far as ordering you around. You will need specific examples though, so write them down so you don't forget!

Answer 8

Before you go to the person in charge, ask her to please write down the daily duties she "hopes" will be completed that day. Keep the lists (as evidence) and do your best. Let her have her few minutes of daily glory, provided she doesn't disrespect or belittle you. Remember young lady that this is only a small stepping stone for you. She has maxed out her capabilities and is stuck there. You have so much to look forward to. lucky you...

Answer 9

Technically you're her b * t ch. I've been there done that and now supervise many student assistants. I work in education and trust me, you need to listen to this person and take direction. She may be cool to you one on one as you're learning things; however, maybe when you speak around others you sound like a total dipshit and she feels the need to interrupt what you're saying to save you from embarassment. I don't see anything wrong with how you're being treated. I think you're getting ahead of yourself and you need to be in this position for a while which whill help you supervise others. I think you may think she acts differently around others as maybe you're the one trying to feel important when you should just keep your mouth shut to begin with and let her do the talking. My advice, stop being a little **** get the work done and then you'll be able to mentor the next person the way you see fit. From experience I prefer to be cool with my subrodinates to keep a great working order, and then let them know when they have spoke out of line or correct them. Nothing personal, just saving them embarassment of trying to sound uneducated. No one likes a charlaton.

Answer 10

Your right that she wants to feel important. My boss does the same thing when he's out-to-lunch with friends (I work for a very small company) and we call. He'll yell at us and say things he wouldn't normally say. But, we get it. He's showing his power around his friends. You can do one of two things; make her shine, or get reassigned. Sounds like it's your call.