To ask for tips on how to deal with this?

[henpeckedinchief]

I work in a very small office, but part of a much larger professional services firm. As it happens this week 5 of my 8 colleagues are on holiday. That leaves me as the only 'professional', and then 2 admin staff.

I'm the most junior of the professionals in my office by a long way. Never normally an issue at all. But this week I am seriously struggling with the attitudes of my admin colleagues. They're both usually lovely people, but they clearly view this as a relaxed week for them and have checked out of their usual routine. Here are some things that have happened in the last 2.5 days:

I asked for some scanning to be done fairly urgently. A couple of hours later checked up on progress. Hadn't been started, admin colleague was watching Wimbledon on his work computer.

I asked for two documents to be formatted correctly on Monday, still don't have them back. Turnaround for this usually a couple of hours.

Gave one of them a dictation to do on Monday, still don't have it back, usually takes a day max.

Colleagues both left 40 mins early yesterday without telling me (I had my office door closed because I was on a confidential call). Left before the courier came to pick up post and hadn't printed the correct labels. I don't know how to do this so the things couldn't be sent til today. This had cost implications for a client that the firm will have to field.

One arrived half an hour late to work this am (should be in at 8.30, came in at 9) meaning he wasn't here to let in the guy who had been booked to test our electrical equipment for safety. I let him in when I arrived and had to smooth feathers as he was annoyed at the wait.

this is now causing me quite a lot of stress I can't afford to take a relaxed week because I'm doing my own work and that of the other person in my team who is on holiday. I just feel like they are taking the piss because they think they can get away with it.

How do I approach this? They're both older than me and have been working here much longer than me. I'm also not their boss. So it doesn't feel like my place to kick off at them. But I need them to pull their weight because my work has to go on!

Are you able to contact your manager and speak to them about it?

I could but as she's on holiday I would rather not bother her! But I might have to if I can't get through to them. I don't really want to land them in it but I also kind of feel like they must realise they're taking the piss and just not care?

You need to email the manager immediately and outline what's been going on. Email so there's a record, rather than speaking in person or on the phone.

Then ask the manager for a meeting...and he or she should then call the staff in to discuss their output.

Can you do the scanning and formatting yourself?

halfwitpicker yes in that I know how to, but no in that that I am required to record all of my time and if I am recording administrative work I'll be asked why. We're strongly discouraged from doing work which isn't chargeable to clients, and all work of that nature should be passed to admin staff. I also don't really have time! And it would take me a lot longer than either of them, so it's less efficient.

I wouldn't go straight to manager at all-you're not even giving them a chance to make it right and it will cause resentment down the line.

Id send them both an email - pretty informal saying hi guys- hope you're having a good week. Obviously as so many are on hols its generally less hectic this week but I would still really appreciate your help. Unfortunately things like scanning/filing etc still need to get done so I'd be grateful if you could let me know if for whatever reason you are running late in morning/ and likewise if you have an appointment you need to leave early for.
As several things I've needed doing this week are still overdue, so would be great to ensure these are down by Friday.
Thanks...

(I know it looks like I'm complaining about having no time and yet pissing about on mumsnet but it's only because I'm in a taxi on my way to a meeting!)

I quite like the gentle approach.

Hi - can you let me know when XYZ will be done please? It's a simple question.

Ask them to make sure they're there for the courier as it was too difficult for you. Make them feel clever/needed whilst reminding them not to leave early.

Give them your number in case they get held up in the morning again. Remove any excuse they have for not letting you know they're running late.

However, I would have a chat with their line manager once returned from holiday. These people are taking the piss. If they want to not be working then they need to book annual leave.

Actually I think Sundowners advice is the best here. Then if they fail to respond in an appropriate manner, you will be well within your rights to go higher.

Thank you sundowners and wittyname - it looks completely reasonable and non-confrontational written down like that! I probably need to worry about it less. I will try that approach and see where it gets me!