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?

I appreciate I might sound breezy

No you sound rude.

Snotty! Not spotty!

Ah, so an employee can only be shown or expect respect if they are saving lives or are a rocket scientist, or earning over 28k?

No. The OP will earn respect when you she doesn’t think tasks are beneath her.

I'm getting sick and stressed and vomiting and a knot in my stomach about work.

See if you had come on here and said this was why you hated your job people would have been more understanding. But to come on here and act like you're above doing basic office tasks is ridiculous. Good luck with your job search.

Well they accepted that quickly! You may be the best magic fairy they've ever had but obviously not enough to make even the most minor of adjustments to try to retain you. You can blow your own trumpet as loud as you like but sometimes facts speak for themselves.

Sounds like they're technically enept.

No reason why the first 3 x rings shouldn't JUST be on the reception phones so no one else is disturbed when they're fully manned. Then X number of people on a rota system so Mondays Team A, Tuesday team B, etc, then after 20 rings if still not answered everyone rings.

Disturbing everyone everytime must be a massive hit for performance!

Yes, maybe that's why they discussed it with the head of HR. They were just waiting for my resignation so they wouldn't have to fire me. Don't insult me. I know my value.

@snifflesnifflesnore You don't believe me?
I work in a female dominated profession where everyone is expected to muck in - irregardless of pay scale, job description, gender etc.
I have employed males who refused to get involved in what they saw as menial tasks. They were pulled up for it. However, we did provide very favourable working conditions.

Refusing to do something because it is beneath you isn't knowing your self worth.

No. The OP will earn respect when you she doesn’t think tasks are beneath her

It's not what she was employed to do. They employ people for those roles.
Would you expect her to carry out her role and also do everything else? Just pile it on her?

What I would say OP, is that from the information you have given on your posts, it's not actually that hard to pinpoint which company you likely work for. I appreciate you have left this role now, but be wary what you post online (especially Facebook etc) in case potential employers come across your profile. Mumsnet gives a sense on anonymity which is great but other social media isn't as forgiving.

Could you ask to finish now? If you are being made this ill by being asked to do things way within your capability, when usually it's the other way round, perhaps you need some time out to get in a better mindset before getting another job? Most admin jobs have an element of picking up 'menial' tasks in other people's absence after all and if this has got you this wound up - sick rather than just fucked off- maybe there's other things going on?

I was with you up until the point you said something was "beneath you" - your arrogance is quite embarrassing.

I will not EARN respect by doing jobs beneath me. I'll earn respect when someone actually values what I do.

How delightful OP. Try growing up.

I’m enjoying your glee

It’s really not a bad thing to believe in your own worth.

Gottagetmoving I think you’re massively missing the point.

Doing an additional job as well as your own is an issue that OP would need to address with her seniors in a professional manner.

Believing answering the phone and making tea is beneath her, along with her nasty attitude and unprofessional behaviour, is exactly what makes OP a poor employee not worthy of respect.

I agree that many people do this as part of their job. In mine though, the reception phone would only ring on my desk if the receptionist was away, or busy. The rest of the time I could work in peace. It must be really distracting having the phone on your desk ringing all the time.

You certainly won't earn respect saying certain jobs are beneath you. The best people i have worked for ,who I respect the most, are those who don't view menial tasks as beneath them.

Ok, how about I say, I don't want to make fucking tea! If it's such a transferrable task, let them make their own fucking tea!

Are they beyond making tea for themselves?

Don't make the tea then. Just don't make out like it's their loss. They want someone who will make tea. By definition, therefore, they don't want you. You can't have it all ways.

Yeah speaking like that won't earn you respect either.
I totally get that the job wasn't what you expected etc. and you feel that you were being asked to do something that wasn't part of your job description BUT these tasks aren't beneath you. There are two separate issues here ......

You think it's ok for visitors to make their own drinks?

If making the tea was in the receptionists absence how often were they off? Sounds like a lot!

I am simply not going to make tea for men. Simple. I won't. End of. Good luck getting the next pretty lady to do it. I'm sure many will. But I fucking WON'T.