To think I’m not the tea bitch?

[Ribrabrob]

Recently started a new job. Fairly basic administration job, although fairly well paid for the role. It’s just a temporary maternity cover role. Not really a job I enjoy or want to do but was rather desperate so took the job.

The job is okay and the people are fine, mostly quite nice. I work closely with the manger in a tiny office, the owner is based in an office nearby but regularly pops in. From the start it’s been made very clear that making tea/coffee for them both is very important in fact in my first interview I asked what was the most helpful thing the previous post holder did for the manager. The manager answered ‘oh it’s so helpful when she gets my drink for me’. I remember laughing thinking it was a joke but it wasn’t

Hints are regularly made about having a drink, at least twice before I get the hint and then I’ll offer. If I don’t offer she’ll then ask outright but always after hunting. It’s annoying, i would rather she just ask. Other people also make little remarks when they visit the office that she (manager) doesn’t seem to drink as much as when the other post holder was here! It’s so weird.

I don’t drink many hot drinks myself, usually just one in the morning and occasionally another later on so it doesn’t always enter my head to make one 🤷‍♀️ But of course I do offer when I am making.

The other day the owner was due in in about half an hour. Manager asked me to have a chat quickly and took ten minutes explaining to me how he’d like his tea and to try and have one ready for him.

Aibu to be annoyed by this or is it just a part of a basic admin role? Aibu to think I’m not the tea bitch?! Aibu to think how I make the tea really isn’t that important? I’ve worked in offices before and the CEO’s would always make drinks like everybody else!

@Sunnymummy77

Just because you’re paying someone - doesn’t absolve you of basic manners and decency.

Karma is a b1tch. You may not be in the position you are now forever. Do you want everyone who works for you to actually hate you.

back in the real world, there's nothing rude in asking for a cup of tea and normal people don't have a chip on their shoulder and don't find that demeaning. Why should they?

Some of us made tea, brought sandwiches (I even worked as a cleaner when I was younger and needed extra cash).

If people hate you for making tea or coffee, they are in the wrong job, it's easily resolved.

By experience, I can tell you that a shitty attitude is what stops most people from climbing the ladder. Reasonably refusing to make tea because you are too busy is absolutely fine. Throwing a hissy fit because you are "better than this" despite being employed to actually doing it.. how old are you honestly.

Just because you’re paying someone - doesn’t absolve you of basic manners and decency.

Of course it doesn’t. “Please can you make us some tea?” fulfils both criteria.

It’s still a personal ‘want’ though, nothing to do with business or admin.
What about massaging your feet because they are aching or asking the office cleaner to make you a cup of tea? Its outside the role of admin assistant.

It’s still a personal ‘want’ though, nothing to do with business or admin.

It’s everything to do with business. The business in this case feels it’s more efficient to pay someone to make tea for people doing more valuable work. Again - as we can all see - she was told this would be part of her job. It doesn’t matter that you don’t personally think it’s needed. The people who own this company do.

It’s still a personal ‘want’ though, nothing to do with business or admin.

You are confusing your opinion with real life facts I am afraid. Like it or not, it's part of the job description in many "admin" or similar roles.

Why does it bother you so much?

For what it’s worth I’ve made the tea too and done loads of other non work related tasks. All with a smile on my face because I wanted to progress. And when I did progress I would never dream of asking those below me to make me a tea.

Maybe it is a generational thing? Because so many older people in the workplace seem to really get a kick out of throwing their weight around and being self important. There’s a whole “don’t you know my job title attitude”.

Whereas many younger bosses work collaboratively and treat people with respect. Think young ceo coming into the office with a smile on her face, saying hi to everyone and making some coffees because she not too important to do it. As opposed to the self important old woman hinting at how thirsty she is all day and getting p1ssy that no one has made her a drink.

Wonder which boss will attract the best and brightest employees and actually retain them.

Why does it bother you so much?

Because I don’t like to see people taken advantage of, why are you so happy to condone it?

Because so many older people in the workplace seem to really get a kick out of throwing their weight around and being self important. There’s a whole “don’t you know my job title attitude”.

Maybe, but I wouldn’t know, I’m in my early 30s.

And opposed to the self important old woman hinting at how thirsty she is all day and getting p1ssy that no one has made her a drink.

And now it’s sexism and ageism on the same thread. Who would have thunk it?

@Mellonsprite

Why does it bother you so much?

Because I don’t like to see people taken advantage of, why are you so happy to condone it?

so you are never using a coffee shop, a restaurant or ordering a take-away because that would be taking advantage?

or wouldn't dream of accepting a coffee or a glass of water when the receptionist offers you one because it should be her manager's job?

You do realise you are being completely ridiculous.

Wonder which boss will attract the best and brightest employees and actually retain them.

I know that one!

the ones who offers the most rewarding and flexible roles and best package.

No one gives a shit about the CEO making tea or not.

Although one of nicest people I’ve ever worked for was near retirement age. They’re not all bad 😂

But do think there is a shift in working attitudes between millennials and older generations. In old days think you were expected to keep your head down, slog away, obey your superior’s ridiculous demands. Fetch them tea.

Whereas now, lots of people are calling out abuse of power for what it really is. And younger generations will shop around for jobs if they feel mistreated. Life is too short.

“The most rewarding and flexible roles”.

Is having to stop your work to jump up and make tea whenever your boss clicks her fingers rewarding? Can you work flexibly when you’re on constant call for tea emergencies 😂😂 I don’t think so!

And younger generations will shop around for jobs if they feel mistreated. Life is too short.

Then the OP should do that. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Sunnymummy77

Is having to stop your work to jump up
you are insisting on missing the point that making tea IS part of the job

I am sure your dream CEO makes sandwiches and refreshments herself, but in the real world people are paid to prepare meetings, meeting rooms and board rooms.. and that include tea and coffee.

younger generations will shop around for jobs if they feel mistreated
normal people are confident enough that they can handle making a cup of tea when it's part of the job description, even the youngest ones

Or do you imagine a world where restaurant staff disappear entirely too?

PumpkinetChocolat

Mellonsprite
Why does it bother you so much?

Because I don’t like to see people taken advantage of, why are you so happy to condone it?
so you are never using a coffee shop, a restaurant or ordering a take-away because that would be taking advantage?

or wouldn't dream of accepting a coffee or a glass of water when the receptionist offers you one because it should be her manager's job?

You do realise you are being completely ridiculous.

The coffee shop example is my point you are repeating back to me, a barista is employed to make drinks, it is their job, the scenario of this OP in this context would be asking the barista to do her admin.

You know full well the receptionist example isn’t what we are talking about here, you’ve resorted to being facetious now.

I could ask my junior staff to make me a drink but I wouldn’t as it isn’t their job and it’s cheeky AF and taking advantage of them.

And younger generations will shop around for jobs if they feel mistreated
someone is so busy with their dream world that they seem to have missed out the financial disaster of the pandemic.... The luxury of being fussy around job is well and truly over. I bet temps and admin would dream of a cushy job, well paid for nothing more strenuous than making a few rounds of tea between a bit of admin.

Maybe, but I wouldn’t know, I’m in my early 30s. -
I missed this. then I’ll admit flav - I really just don’t understand your attitude or viewpoint: But hope you go into your office tomorrow and offer everyone a drink!

Is having to stop your work to jump up and make tea whenever your boss clicks her fingers rewarding?

Probably not (though it is the work, in this case), but let’s be realistic: some work isn’t rewarding, but it needs doing, or the company wants it doing, and the OP is being paid reasonable money to do what her company manager wants doing.

You know full well the receptionist example isn’t what we are talking about here, you’ve resorted to being facetious now.

back in the real world, the distinction between receptionists, admin assistants, office managers etc.. is not clear at all based on the title only. They literally are some of the most common roles expected to do rounds of tea.

There might be huge difference between actual jobs depending on the company , but of all the roles who cannot play surprised to be expected to do the most basic task like that, it's these.

You could play the confused card if you were employed as a book keeper or a translator, but not as a temp admin assistant
😂

I really just don’t understand your attitude or viewpoint

If I hired you, I’d explain it, and you could either understand it or pretend to, or work somewhere else.

Pumpkin...

Yes we are in a pandemic. Jobs are scarce. Lots of people will be taken advantage of by employers on a power trip. It’s a really sad situation. But hey - at least they have this comfort. Those who abuse their power and position at work are usually compensating for some deficiency elsewhere.

Sunnymummy77

I have never felt in a position of inferiority because someone asked me to make a round of tea. It's clearly not me who has any deficiency somewhere...

Yes yes .flav, we all know by now if you hire someone they do have to do what you say or you can let them go. This seems to be something you enjoy pointing out.

But doesn’t explain why you can’t get of your backside and make your own tea every now and again.

Who has the higher workload? The other person should do the drinks.

You're new and it's a temp admin job. Just suck it up and make drinks. What's the problem? You're getting paid still for that time.