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?

Sorry for meetings not visitors!

Yea tbf we make our own drinks here for meetings. Unless our director is in the meeting then she makes them for us.

I wouldn't employ anyone who thought any task was 'beneath' them. And resigning by text? Is that a thing now?

😂😂😂

Oh wow, OP 😂😂😂

I agree that the set up sounds ridiculous and they need better infrastructure.

However... before you even said it I got the impression that you felt it was beneath you. I earn a lot more than you do in a professional services role for a much bigger company and nothing is beneath any of us! The head of the company will often be seen filling the photocopier, I often answer phones and my bosses often make tea for the people directly around them. Attitude is vital in any job. You probably would have got a lot further making changes if you showed willing and came up up with suggestions on how to be more efficient. I bet you had a right reputation. People like you do not last long in large organisations I find, except maybe the NHS, lots like you there sadly!

Also age and experience does not automatically equal respect!

And resigning by text? Is that a thing now?

Nope, that’s just part of OP’s unprofessional behaviour.

Well it appears to have been accepted. As you have said, they were probably just waiting to get any sort of resignation to get rid of me.
You lot are barmy.

If you are being asked to make tea just because you're female then that is an issue but i still stand by the concept that no task is beneath anyone

I work as one of the senior nurses on a ward. We don't have a receptionist and we all have to pitch in with answering the phone, getting the door, and making teas etc.

I would completely agree with you that it's really distracting and difficult to get anything done when you have to answer the phone every couple of minutes, so you have a valid point there.

I don't however agree with you that it's beneath you to do these things, and you do come across as pretty full of yourself on this thread, which probably hasn't won you many friends at work.

I am simply not going to make tea for men. Simple. I won't.

You lot are barmy.

Um, ok...

To be fair, a company of that size should have at least two receptionists. I've worked for far smaller organisations with three receptionists.

unbelievably maybe, I am loved at work.

UADBU. I also have climbed the greasy pole to the dizzying heights of - well a bit more than what you earn so actually not very high at all. Our team consists of up to 16 people, all of whom are higher than me apart from our secretary. When she isn't here I cover her role, but EVERYONE in our team, no matter how high, answers the phone if necessary, makes the odd cup of team if necessary, does their own printing/copying/stapling and various other jobs that could be considered 'beneath them'. It is all part of being a team. I could say that I have worked for this organisation for 20 years, I have a degree, I have other specific qualifications required for my role, none of which have anything to do with answering the phone, and which mean that answering the phone is beneath me - but actually I don't.

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.

Righto.

Hahahaha at we are barmy!

Also £28k for 22 years PA experience (location dependant) is not that high... our PAs get paid more than this but then they are worth their weight in gold. And we know this not because they tell us that but because of what they do... I am all for believing in one's worth but normally you don't need to shout it from the rooftops. People know. How many jobs have you had in that 22 years I wonder? I hope you aren't near me we are recruiting for a PA at the moment

Unless you work for your parents or with your partner, I very much doubt that you are "loved" at work...

Well out of 22 administrators, there is none male.

YANBU. It sounds dreadful for everyone if I ring Woking I don’t want to talk to someone in Swindon especially if I’ve already explained everything to a person in Wokomg.
My only concern was you’d snapped and had resigned on a whim and might struggle to get another job.
Reading between the lines I assume you wouldn’t mind having a rota to cover reception where you know it’s your responsibility but having phones ringing continually is distracting. I assume you wouldn’t mind mucking in and making tea occasionally but it’s the dumbing down of your job that’s annoying you.
Hopefully you’ll find something that fits.

TEA!!!! not 'team'.

Does sound like the case op :(

Some companies are still so reluctant to terminate someone who clearly isn't suitable, either for the role or 'cultural fit' wise, so would rather just wait until the decision is made for them.

Yes, but everyone in our company doesn't answer the phone. Just us administrators.

In many organisations the majority of admin staff tend to be female. I don't think that is unusual in itself. Unless you're suggesting the actively only recruit women.....

What sort of person are you that doesn’t make tea or chip in? We all make tea, we all book rooms, we all answer the door, we all faff about with the photocopier when it goes on strike. Our CEO has just sent an email saying that he won’t use his office tomorrow as we are short of meeting rooms so his office can be used for meetings. You are barking, absolutely mad.

*they

Well, I don't know about anyone else but I really fancy a cup of tea now.

YANBU. 100+ calls in the day is ridiculous anyway and so disruptive, I would leave. Also, making tea and coffee????? no