To be a bit upset with my bosses

[Wolfpup83]

I work in an area with lots of professionals,so there are lots of conferences,training,trips to shows ,conventions etc.
My job is a Secretary,I know where I am in the hierarchy,But I work very hard and put a lot of effort into my job and try my best. Often single handedly running the office when they are all out. But don't go to any of these things or get any of the perks.
To reward all my hardwork, my boss was going to take me to a convention,where there would have been interesting exhibits ,meals travel included etc. I had the day booked off,but cancelled it for this trip.
Only to find he hadn't agreed it with his bosses,who have now said I can't go as I'm only "admin"so why should I get to go. I also can't have the day off I had booked because I have to cover so they can all go.
AIBU to think he shouldn't have told me before he had checked it was ok for me to go. I would never have asked to go,but now I'm left feeling a bit devalued and upset about it. Like I'm bottom of the pile.

It seems your boss who actually knows you and your work values you, just a shame about senior management. Are you interested in progression in the company? Could you have something like this added to your personal development plan/appraisal? That way they'd have to honour it as a learning experience

MrsStrowman I would be very interested in progressing,but in their own words,they are not interested in training or CPD ,because "what training could you possibly need to do admin!!!.
I do my job well,but Id love to move onto something more fulfilling,but cant afford a pay cut to retrain,theres no training in my current role,so Im a bit stuck.

It is time to find a role in a company the offers career development and progression routes.

There's nothing wrong with being at the"bottom of the pile" if that's what you choose and it suits your lifestyle. However, that's not the case for you. There's no point being angry or unhappy, it's within your power to do something about this, you're not tied to this place forever. Talk to a recruiter this week, get your CV out there before everything slows down for Christmas.

Anybody who dismisses a secretary/PA/EA as 'only' admin, has clearly never tried to function without a good one at senior level! Every piece of admin needing my attention filters through my EA, even more is countersigned by him on my behalf - I couldn't do my job without him!

YANBU OP, my department heads often take their secretaries/admins with them to conferences - it's beneficial if they have an outline idea of what's going on in the area their boss works in and it's a reward for the mountain of work they do.

One other thing, my EA has been supported to complete his degree in business and is currently working towards his MBA. I'll lose him to his own department eventually, I just hope he finds me an equally promising successor!

Find a new employer, if you stay with this one you will forever be looked down on and poorly treated. There are employers out there who are not so ignorant as to take an "only admin..." approach- find one! The company you are with now doesn't deserve you.

YANBU OP. Your boss should definitely have got it OK'd before offering you the opportunity so as to avoid awkwardness or disappointment. I'm confused why you weren't allowed your day off though as presumably that had already been approved?

It sounds as though you're generally undervalued at your current employer. If there are no progression opportunities where you are now then it's time to look elsewhere, where your skills and hard work ethos would be appreciated and not disregarded as 'admin'.