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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU about job?

555 replies

Dhapeer · 15/10/2018 10:45

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?

OP posts:
WhatsGoingOnEh · 16/10/2018 12:06

It sounds like you've got yourself in a bit of a flap. Do you have friends or a DH around you can talk to about things before they get this emotional?

I think I'd have to accept that I'd made a mess of this current role, look for something else, and pray they'd see past my rather emotional last days, and still give me a decent reference.

You wanted to leave, you've left! It's not your type of place, which is fair enough. So look to the future now.

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 16/10/2018 12:07

if I was a Director and had similar discussions regarding my duties would you be saying that I sound unprofessional

I would be amazed if a director handed in his/her notice by text...

Original poster
Dhapeer · 16/10/2018 12:08

I'm not going to be walked over. If that means being a week not working fuck it. I can't wake up every morning with a knot in my stomach and my body literally wanting to reverse because I can't bear the job. It's not what I signed up for and it's not fair.

OP posts:
Namechangeforthiscancershit · 16/10/2018 12:10

You’ve made your decision- I think it’s totally fine to say the job isn’t for you. I’m just not sure what you’ll gain from this letter/email other than causing problems getting a reference.

I think you also need to think through how you can frame this positively when you are applying for other jobs. Leaving so quickly will be asked about and you don’t want to sound like you’re not a team player

ADastardlyThing · 16/10/2018 12:13

Covering making tea for a receptionist who let's face it can't be off that much shouldn't be making you this ill. Get yourself checked out to make sure there's nothing else going on as this is all very very extreme.

WhatsGoingOnEh · 16/10/2018 12:14

I'm not going to be walked over.

Again, that's an emotional response. It's not a personal attack against you! It's just a rubbish phone system.

With your experience and your good relationship with your boss, you could have called a meeting and revealed how stressful/intrusive/time-consuming the phone system was and suggested a few workable alternatives.

You could also have gently warned that you would be unable to continue for much longer as the system made it impossible for you to work to your own high standard, and the standard for which they'd hired you.

You could've been the person who made the company change for the better.

WhatsGoingOnEh · 16/10/2018 12:16

Are you mid/late 40s? I think this is hormonal. Really. And I'm not saying that as a slur against you, I'm saying it as a very hormonal woman in her late-40s who has behaved like this more times than she'd like to remember.

Silverstreaks · 16/10/2018 12:25

YANBU.

Sounds to me like you've tried the gentle approach and got nowhere. It's been building up for months with the ridiculous phone shambles and the further hassle of post and meetings was the final straw.

I'm pleased you did it. There is nothing worse than doing a job you loathe. Left to do your own work and occasionally pitching in was what you expected and that has been undermined.

You're better off out. They obviously don't see how antiquated they've become and it won't change anytime soon.

Move on. Be happy.

paffuto · 16/10/2018 12:26

I don't think you should have used the word tentatively, you are either handing in your notice or not? Apart from that, I love your attitude! Can't stand weak, pandering women who daren't even stand up for their own worth! Good for you and best of luck.Wine

WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 16/10/2018 12:26

So, yesterday you were so delighted and so relieved you had been so unprofessional and quit by text, but now you’ve written them an email because you’re panicking and backtracking? Okay then.

poglets · 16/10/2018 12:27

You're still in your probationary period!

This job wasn't for you. Start to think about how you're going to explain this on your CV and look for a new job.

Silverstreaks · 16/10/2018 12:30

The text was informal. The email is formal.

Like telling your boss you're going to resign then putting it in writing.

paffuto · 16/10/2018 12:31

Hormonal? Imagine saying that to a man who's annoyed at having to do a job that he hadn't agreed on? Grin

Mummyundecided · 16/10/2018 12:34

I'm sorry, but if I was a Director and had similar discussions regarding my duties would you be saying that I sound unprofessional? Or is it just because I'm female and an administrator that I can't object to a contractual breach. How fucking uppity of me.
It’s your attitude and behaviour that are unprofessional. For anyone, in any job. It’s not been a discussion, it’s been a serious of unprofessional behaviours from you. Fuck all to do with your gender.

ADastardlyThing · 16/10/2018 12:39

Paffuto it's a valid thing to ask, employers are now becoming more aware of peri menopause and the menopause and their effects on women. I'd argue that we have a duty to gently explore this if it's a suspicion (obviously not "ere, is it the change?" Grin) Probably more so if it's a longer service employee who suddenly becomes very extreme in their reactions to valid work instructions than a new starter tbf as it's easier to spot they are behaving strangely and that's just not how they are.

paffuto · 16/10/2018 12:46

Dastardly, hmm see what you mean. It's just that I'm loving OP's attitude in sticking up for her own worth. Grin

Silverstreaks · 16/10/2018 12:51

Dastardly they are not even aware of the phones ringing 400 times a day for no good reason.

I hardly think they're going to be worrying about the possibility of hormones being out of kilter.

RING
RING

RING RING

RING
RING

RING RING RING RING.....

paffuto · 16/10/2018 12:57

I equate this having to constantly answer the phone whilst trying to work, with WAHM who are looking after the dc whilst trying to work! And then people saying "oooh aren't you lucky to be working from home" Hmm

ADastardlyThing · 16/10/2018 12:58

I never said they would I was responding to a pp's post about asking about potential hormonal problems.

Silverstreaks · 16/10/2018 13:05

Why should having the gumption to point out the difference between the job description and the actual job be a malady rather than just standing up for yourself?

VanGoghsDog · 16/10/2018 13:06

I am a senior HR person, if I got that I'd just say are you resigning or not?

So, decide.

WhatsGoingOnEh · 16/10/2018 13:28

Hormonal? Imagine saying that to a man who's annoyed at having to do a job that he hadn't agreed on?

The OP didn't resign in a calm, considered manner, like you'd expect from someone who had a genuine work issue.

She didn't think, "Sod this," and start looking for a new job. She didn't calmly write a resignation letter or see HR.

She lost her shit, texted that she was leaving, then followed it up with a rather nonsensical email that almost took it back, but didn't.

I recognise ALL of this. It's how you behave when you're not thinking clearly. It might be stress (the job sounds stressful), or worry, or depression. It might also be hormones. I blame those tricksy little bastards for everything.

The OP says she has 22 years of experience which puts her at around 40something. I'm sorry if my post was taken as sexist or patronising; that's not how it was meant. I honestly think this age is a nightmare.

paffuto · 16/10/2018 13:39

I'm sorry if my post was taken as sexist or patronising; that's not how it was meant. I know it wasn't, that's why I put grinGrinWink I honestly think this age is a nightmare. Wait until you get into your 60's, I click and creak every time I get out of a chair!! Grin

SillySallySingsSongs · 16/10/2018 13:45

if I was a Director and had similar discussions regarding my duties would you be saying that I sound unprofessional

The way you've gone about it, absolutely.

paffuto · 16/10/2018 14:22

Interesting. Forthright woman speaks out and is called unprofessional. Forthright man speaking out would be commended.