I am quite new to my job as a PA/receptionist (been there a month and a half) and part of my duties is to open the door to visitors but on Friday I went upstair to the sales department to ask about people's attendances (as that is another duty) and apparantly the door buzzed and while I was busy doing attendances a collegue who is much older than me and has a higher position walked past me and while repeatedly pressing her finger into my shoulder said something like "There are people downstairs wanting to come in" as she went to answer the door. I was unfortunately underslept as well as startled this, especially the physical contact so I did nt really respond to this but I have to do something about this, please advice. What would you do if you were in the same situation (bearing in mind I am new, a girl in a male-orientated company and the youngest. Leaving for me is not an option as I want to stay there, atleast for a year.
2007-10-27 06:49:42 · 5 answers · asked by Char 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Wow! "repeatedly pressing her finger into my shoulder"? I can understand your angst. You say you want to keep this job...try, try, and let it go "this time". If it should happen again, make eye contact with her and say "Are you aware of all, of my duties and responsibilities?" It is necessary that I move around from time to time!"
2007-10-27 06:59:11 · answer #1 · answered by muffin 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They joys of being the receptionist...everyone else thinks they are too important to do your "menial" tasks.
I don't know how your office is layed out, but if there's someone who works near you, next time you step to do attendances, just ask if they could please grab the door in your absence as you just need to go upstairs for a second. That's not asking too much. If the person you ask is "too busy" then just talk to the person who hired you. Ask them if you could get someone to answer the door while you do the attendences.
The collegue pressing her finger into your shoulder is too much. But since you want to stay here, maybe you could just ignore it. Should it happen again just appologise...just do a half assed, "sorry, I just had to do something"....it's probably easier to muster a 'sorry' than end up on the bad side of this collegue.
I've been the receptionist...you become the office b__ch. It's your job, just learn to smile and be perpetually cheery. Don't expect to befriend any of the collegues, usually you will be treated below them (unless you're fortunate enough to work in a small office).
2007-10-27 14:05:41 · answer #2 · answered by miss_j 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree that the older colleague should not have made that kind of physical contact with you. But how did she know there were people waiting to be buzzed in? Can you hear the buzzer from where you were?
Maybe you were a little tired and didn't notice the buzzer that one time.
But, if the problem is that you can't reasonably be expected to open the doors when you are performing certain other duties, ask your supervisor for advice on how to juggle these different responsibilities. Don't complain, just ask and be sure to stress that you are trying to improve your job performance.
As for your colleague, try to ignore her behavior this one time, and be sure to be very polite and professional to her when you pass her in the hall. She could have just had a bad day. But if she continues to single you out, bring it up with your supervisor or human resources. Good luck
2007-10-27 14:52:32 · answer #3 · answered by Maybe Next Year 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell your colleague, nicely, that in the future if she has something to say to you, she can say it without being physical your not hard of hearing. Make sure you say it with a smile.
2007-10-27 13:57:14 · answer #4 · answered by peaches6 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
thank her for getting the door when you couldn't and leave it at that.
2007-10-27 14:14:27 · answer #5 · answered by mcdonaldsnuggetaustin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋