AIBU about job?

[Dhapeer]

I started a new job 6 months ago. I was interviewed by the office manager, my manager and a director. It was casually alluded to that everyone pitches in with taking calls etc.
On my first day, it became apparent that while doing your job, they also have this 'virtual' reception which is where your phone rings every time a reception phone in any of the offices nationally rings. You are expected to take some of these calls.
I can not describe the stress of being in the middle of something and having to answer reception calls.
Ok, so I got used to that and accepted it.
Last week, we had an admin meeting and we were told that we now have to do the following as well:

1. Offer to do incoming/outcoming post when receptionist is on leave
2. Listen out for the doorbell ringing and answer the door if no-one is at the 4 desks behind reception. I sit about 30 seconds walk from the reception door.
3. Make teas and coffees for meetings in the absence of the receptionist.

I have 22 years administrative experience and am supposed to be a Team Administrator for a team of 5 building surveyors. I also have PA duties for my Director.

Would any of you do this? I have handed in my notice to my manager by text and have rang HR and am waiting to hear back.

FFS, they are paying me 28k to answer phones and make tea?

Am I the unreasonable one given that NONE of this was indicated in the interview and is not on my job description?

The OP’s attitude in this is nothing compared to the attitudes of some posters- talk about rude. The baffling subservience is probably part of the reason so many companies have such huge gender pay gaps, with so many women being so grateful for an admin job that they’ll do anything to keep it. I was recruited for a managerial position, but it frequently involved my boss asking me to put a nice dress on and bring in coffee when he had important male visitors. It didn’t last long- it wasnt part of the job description, and it was beneath some members of the team and not others. Interestingly in the two places I’ve worked where there were brew rounds, it was only ever the female members of staff making them for everyone/ taking time away from their work for the comfort of others. It’s bullshit.

I cannot believe that people think they could focus with a phone ringing 400 times a day- that is ludicrous. Also, the OP was actually saying that the senior team don’t make brews- unlike many pps who have commented about their senior leaders making tea all the time.

Why are we so fucking critical of a woman knowing her worth? If sheryl sandberg said what the OP had said, we’d all be using it as a mantra.

Good for you OP and I hope you get a job that’s the challenge you need- definitely have a look at your local unis.

Can you lot read?

Yes thank you it's not beneath me.

Can you lot read?

You all earn loads of money but don't seem to understand a post on MN. The OP is happy to chip in occasionally, but it isn't occasionally it all the time.

We can read, most of the responses now are about her attitude and saying certain tasks are beneath her, rather than reacting to the admittedly annoying requirement to answer the phone 500 times a day (which, on an eight hour working day, is once per minute, and if the calls are around a minute each it literally means she is on the phone 100% of the time, which must be trying - though very clearly it's NOT TRUE!).

Well if you can read (well done btw) why don't you?

If it's not beneath you then perhaps you should actually try doing it.

@treezylover I love the phrase "baffling subservience" that sums it up wonderfully. And then the outraged horror that a woman values her job and her skills and is not prepared to do anything asked of her.

Should she clean? If asked would it be ok to give the toilets a going over? How about a bit of maintenance touching up the paintwork? No?

Also, the OP was actually saying that the senior team don’t make brews- unlike many pps who have commented about their senior leaders making tea all the time.

I didn't see that bit, but I did see the OP say the boss made her frothy coffee every day. And, as the OP is 'very senior' her boss must be, like, the CEO!

@moussemoose as long as the men can distract themselves from their Very Important Work for long enough they could probably lift their feet up while she sweeps up their crumbs 🙄. Jeez.

If it's not beneath you then perhaps you should actually try doing it.

I have done thank you.

Maybe if OP hadn't been so rude to posters to start off with the thread would be different.

There is a difference between knowing your worth and saying things are 'beneath you' that you are a 'magic fairy' and resigning by text.

I don't think this sounds bad at all. It just sounds like everyone pitching in.

I can't believe you lot believe it rings 400 times a day. She even said in the first post she's never counted and went from 100 to 400 in the same sentence. She also called herself a magic fairy. No possibility of exaggeration? I bet it only rings once every hour.

OP, if you're so brilliant, apply to better jobs. I'm sure you could easily be an accountant or a lawyer, you're just so fabulous.

Yes it is interesting how the phrase 'beneath me' has really wound posters up. I think the OP has expressed honestly what most people think.

When you get to a certain level in your job you do not routinely carry out tasks that a junior would do. You do it occasionally to lend a hand and the OP has said she is fine with that.

I think the idea that a women in an admin position knows her worth and values herself and is (big shock) prepared to say it strikes at the heart of how secretarial staff are expected to behave.

Anyone off to pick litter in the car park at lunch time?

If you were so bloody good they would be doing everything possible to convince you to stay!

You sound deluded.

Nobody is beneath anything maybe except the queen

I've done loads of things that you may consider "beneath you" but I don't have that attitude and it has served me well.

22 years work experience counts for sod all with an attitude like yours.

fucking hell, if you were anyone i worked with, i would certainly be glad to see the back you - you sound like a fucking nightmare "its beneath you??"

Yikes this thread is daft!

I was a long term receptionist and tbh I agree with the OP that they have a shit set up.
When the proper receptionist is on leave or off sick, yes, all admin have to pitch in with a rota etc, but having all admin lines as back up receptionists permanently is just awful.
Awful for staff, and awful for callers.
And if you're hired as a distinct admin role, you bloody well shouldn't be Assistant Receptionist unless you agreed to it!

That company need a decent switchboard and a decent pair of receptionists.

Yeah yeah, the OP's tone is a little abrasive, but fundamentally she's right.

I think the idea that a women in an admin position knows her worth and values herself

As she said, everyone is asked to help out. Are you suggesting that women are less capable than men at taking on additional duties to their core job?

Yes it is interesting how the phrase 'beneath me' has really wound posters up. I think the OP has expressed honestly what most people think.

No, it expresses what a particular type of PITA employee would think. People with attitudes like this do not get ahead.

A good employee would not moan about tasks being "beneath them". They would address the issues in a professional and constructive manner with their line manager.

There is a big difference between being asked to help out occasionally and it becoming part of your job role.

The OP said she has accepted answering calls but now additional receptionist duties are being added as a matter of course.

This isn't about doing a bit now and then this is doing another job as well as your own. And no I absolutely wouldn't take on another job in the organisation for no pay and no reward and no thanks!

If you would take on someone else's job role with no additional pay you are a fool who deserves to be treated like crap.

The phrase "beneath me" was used on MN. To use it at work may be unprofessional- point me to the post where the OP says she has used this phrase at work to her boss.

In terms of getting ahead; women who take on additional admin work very rarely get ahead they are stuck in the kitchen making tea for the blokes who are having an important meeting.

Agree with that Mousse. Women generally don’t say “No” nearly as much as they should. We’re conditioned to say “yes sir” and be happy for the chance to please mr boss man.

you are a fool who deserves to be treated like crap.

Nice.

Jesus Christ. She’s been asked to make a brew, it’s hardly another story for the #metoo movement.

The OP said she has accepted answering calls but now additional receptionist duties are being added as a matter of course.

Should she be exempt from that because she's a woman?

And the OP is happy to make the occasional brew.

What she won't do is make tea for everyone in the meeting and serve it to them in the meeting room. Like a good girl.

Where else are they supposed to drink it?

No she should be exempt from duties not in her job description because she has a contract and her employer is breaking that contract.

Or should she do anything asked of her......give the kitchen a quick scrub while the kettle is boiling?

How about ........ the people in the meeting make their own drink and take it in with them........

I know it's amazing isn't it.

It even works with visitors.

Hello Mr smith before we go in the meeting do you want a brew?
Yes I do thanks
Ok we'll just nip into the kitchen and I'll make you one.