To ask for advice re new job please

[Finland500]

Really need some advice re a new job
Started a new job less than a couple of weeks ago working in a small business
Yesterday business owner wasn't on site and girl at front desk sat reading magazines/ on phone looking at videos and holidays etc
I'm not line manager but am above this person Question: When I see boss next I need to speak to him anyway about something unrelated

1. Do I mention the girl doing this when there was definitely things she could be doing to grow the business/ make contacts etc which means increased growth and cash flow for the business/ business owner and for me also
2. If I were to mention it, how do I say it in a way that doesn't sound like I'm a school telltale! Something that annoys me is that she wouldn't have been doing that if the owner was on site What would you do ?

You've JUST started this job. While I appreciate and agree that this co-workers behaviour would be irritating to witness, running to the boss and tattling on this employee when you have just started working there will only make YOU look bad. Very bad, actually. You may be above this person, but that does not mean you are their boss. Keep your mouth shut and concern yourself with your own responsibilities.

Keep your beak out.

You've only worked there less than a couple of weeks.

At least take a bit more time to figure out people's actual job roles and the general dynamics before you appoint yourself as office snitch.

I'd wait till you have established yourself a bit more then, when you see this, say 'great, you're not busy. Could you help me with ... please'

She'll see you've seen and that might be enough

Oooh no don't do it- there is no way of you doing it at this stage without looking like a school tell tale.

I know it's infuriating but you don't want to start off on the wrong footing in a new job.

As the owner of a pretty successful small business, I can honestly say that if you approached me with this, less than a couple of weeks after starting work there, I'd have you pegged as one of those pain in the arse employees who'll be trying to tell me how to run the place in a week's time.

Fwiw my receptionist can read magazines and go on Facebook or whatever, as long as she's worked her way through the list of tasks I've given her - I don't want her chasing leads and making contacts - as long as she answers the phone and deals with any walk ins that's fine. as that's her role, and if it's a quiet day then hey, lucky her, she got paid to sit and Facebook all day.

None of your business!

You may well come across as as troublemaker to them both. Unless its a really serious misdemeanor I wouldn't get involved. I work with a tattletale who is running to the boss every five minutes about everyone and everything, it just causes unnecessary tension and conflict.

How long was she 'skiving' for? Are you sure she wasn't just on a break?

If you complain, she could easily say 'How does Finland know what I was doing all day? If she was watching me that closely she couldn't have been doing much work herself'.

I have nights where I can stick netflix on at work, and some nights where I have a lot on. Most of the time I've got my phone out to have a browse in between tasks (like now)
Maybe she was just not busy at the time.

I wouldn't mention it either way, if its not in your job role to address.

You do t know her actual role. You might assume she has to do various things, include finding leads, but this might it be her job.

Thanks , I can see the general feeling is no then ....the reason I was wondering was because it was for a few hours she was doing this - it was quiet and clients weren't walking in etc

....and she was doing it blatantly in front of me

It seems unlikely that the receptionist is responsible for growing the business/making contacts/whatever. That's not generally in a receptionist's job description. Do you even know for certain she's not permitted to read magazines or surf the internet during the day? I agree with previous posters; mind your own business.

Keep your nose out, it doesn't directly affect you anyway.

Do I mention the girl doing this when there was definitely things she could be doing to grow the business/ make contacts etc which means increased growth and cash flow for the business/ business owner and for me also

You cant just allocate a receptionist sales duties because you don't think she is busy enough.

I have a receptionist and have been one. If my receptionist has a quiet day, i am fine with them passing the time however they want. As long as their work is done.

When i worked as a receptionist it was the same.

It also doesnt matter if you are senior to her. I am senior to the majority of people in our office. That doesnt mean i get to change their duties and decide to add a completely new role to their job.