AIBU for expecting to be called my job title

[Mumsnorthernmonkey]

I work as a XXX assistant to my manager. Three managers and three people at the same level as me. Above us is the manager and above that ‘head of X’.

The lady who is the overall head of our department always refers to people at my level as admin. I’m an assistant and I don’t know why she refers to us as assistants.

AIBU to be bothered by this?

I honestly hadn't realised that 'admin' was considered to be below 'assistant'? In our team we have someone whose job title is '[our function] assistant' and if we had to describe her I think we all use 'assistant' and 'team administrator' quite interchangeably - if anything I'd say that, to me, assistant sounds more junior.

If it’s like “Assistant Project Manager’, you’re probably right. In an email I’d abbreviate that to APMs, not downgrade it to Admins.

But with that said, if it’s going to cause ructions it might not be worth sticking your neck out over it.

I don’t think the head of dept is doing anything wrong. She’s collectively calling your role ‘admins‘ as you’re an assistant to someone else. She’s not saying it’s your job title. It’s just more common terminology than saying have you invited the assistants to the Christmas party.

Like previous poster, I thought Assistant sounded more junior.

I do quite a complex role with a decent salary and have a title XXX manager. I'm usually introduced as 'this is doggos, she does the account admin, she's the best person to go to if you get stuck with X, Y, Z I really could not give a shit, my pay reflects what I actually do and my title is there on my CV if I ever want to change jobs.

I think @Hardbackwriter is right
My first job was accounts assistant, and admin staff were paid more than me (same age so not an age pay gap)
Assistant is junior, then admin, then officers, managers, executives etc

I can’t work out what the OP does, but senior admin often get their knickers in a twist about this sort of thing.

I used to work somewhere where the managers had secretaries. But one day a vocal secretary decided that was demeaning and insisted they be called PA’s. None of them were PA’s (i.e. personal one to one assistants - they all looked after teams), but they got to change their email signatures and felt better about themselves, so no harm.

It is all admin at the end of the day, however if you don’t like being referred to as that, speak up!

Agree with TidyDancer! You should very petty and precious.

Whatis your job title? @Mumsnorthernmonkey

I once got asked by a client to change my job title. I was representing them at a case being taken against them. They said it made me sound more important than I actually was so might intimidate the other side too much. Gave me a list of alternative suggestions and everything. I declined -and won-.

[quote Mumsnorthernmonkey]@CatsAndEyeliner yes I do find it below my station. It’s generally what I do (isn’t most jobs admin) but considering that I have a title, shouldn’t the dear leader use the correct title?[/quote]
Really? Admin is below your station. But you do mainly admin. You perhaps need to revisit your prejudices? I have staff who do admin. Several of them. I often refer to them collectively as admin. Bit they are very valuable staff who I wouldn't / couldn't do without. They certainly aren't below any stations!

But you were "staff". If you're an employee, you're "staff" by definition surely?

I agree with this.

I’m a teacher and am referred to as staff all the time. It’s correct-I am staff!

And “staff” is just another word for “employees”.

This is a bit like folk who have a one business and call themselves the MD; of Davies Carwash 🤣
Nobody cares.

*one man

[quote Mumsnorthernmonkey]@EveryDayIsADuvetDay there is more than one person doing the same role so I’m happy for her to refer to my job title. She oversees maybe 15-20 staff so knowing job titles (there are seven) should be used correctly.[/quote]
Is there some kind of rule that says that? Because unless there is, I'd suggest that when you are the manager, you can use as many job titles as you like. Until then I would seriously stop being so precious and deciding how she should do her job, or you might find that you don't have a job to do. You are being beyond ridiculous. My staff describe me as their manager - that "title" appears nowhere in my job title. Should I discipline them or have a go at them for not using my proper title?

Life is too short for such pettiness.

It's just a job title, you can be called whatever you like! It's about the job you do and how well you do it but what you're called.
I think you need to check yourself before you drive yourself mad.

How shocking, you should definitely speak with your HoD. She would probably enjoy a good laugh after the year we've had.

@Moondust001 you are their manager because there is most likely a chart saying who answers to who. As my manger is X, I will say “I will speak to my manager X”.
But if I’m getting instructions from senior management in a group email, I expect the right job title to be used.

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What is your actual title and job role?

Sorry but I think you are being precious, my job title is xx xx Assistant, my manager is xx xx Team Leader, the majority of our department tend to call our team including my line manager admin, doesn't even enter my head to be bothered .. and yes we do a lot more than just admin tasks

I work in public service as senior admin . Have done this role in various forms for years Depending on what our department has been renamed under each frequent restructure my title is a ** xxxxxx support officer . Totally meaningless titles . If anyone asks what I do I say 'admin'.

Job titles can cause a lot of issues. I evaluate jobs as part of my role to determine the grade and I do sometimes have to advise managers to change the job titles to something that reflects the role.

It's also important to attract the right candidate.

The word assistant within a job title, doesn't indicate that you have an Admin type role. For example an Assistant Director.

Tbh I don't see Admin as higher or lower than an assistant .... they would be called Administrave Assistant in a lot of organisations. It would be a role that doesn't require any qualifications..maybe a couple of GCSEs

Blimey OP.

Maybe contact HR and raise a complaint. This is so so serious.

I'd log it with 101 just to be sure too.

Good luck, precious xx

All roles titled “Assistant” are administrator roles.

No they aren't

Assistant Director
Assistant Photographer
Assistant Land Surveyor
Assistant Professor
Assistant Events Manager
Assistant Designer

It's polite, and good for staff engagement, for people to refer to colleagues with their correct job titles/functions.