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?

@Moutarde bloody hell you should do it for me

@RhymesWithOrange

I think I get you OP, e.g. your boss is a Professor, you are an Assistant Professor. Or your boss is Head of Procurement and you are Assistant Head of Procurement. Neither are "admin" jobs.

Why shouldn't you be afforded the status your job title affords?

Because OP has said that their job is doing admin.

@RhymesWithOrange

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.

OP said she does admin as her job though. So they are referring to her by her job function, just as you think is "polite".

@DrivingMo it’s not just admin. It involves taking calls from people, being proactive and raising concerns, knowledge in my field..

@Mumsnorthernmonkey
Cmon it’ll not be revealing, just tell us what your job is

You've just described admin though. I don't get your problem.
Do the job, take the money, go home and have a good life with some fun.

If you’re something like a marketing assistant to a marketing manager who reports to head of marketing then yes, it is off to call you “admin” as that doesn’t imply any knowledge of your specialism (marketing).

Because OP has said that their job is doing admin.

OP has repeatedly stated her job is not just doing admin. Almost every job has an element of admin but there is a big difference in being a administrative professional and managing the admin aspect of your own job.

My job involves sending emails, making calls and arranging meetings but I run a professional service, 40 staff, with expert technical knowledge, managing projects worth £65m. I'm not "admin".

I used to work in recruitment for an investment bank and the most status focussed and precious candidates were always the EAs/PAs. You’re a walking stereotype OP.

@RhymesWithOrange

Because OP has said that their job is doing admin.

OP has repeatedly stated her job is not just doing admin. Almost every job has an element of admin but there is a big difference in being a administrative professional and managing the admin aspect of your own job.

My job involves sending emails, making calls and arranging meetings but I run a professional service, 40 staff, with expert technical knowledge, managing projects worth £65m. I'm not "admin".

She then listed the other things she does (like making phone calls) - all of which are admin in most people's opinion.

@Thurmanmurman yeah sure....

I work in admin and I am a high earner. You need to get over yourself if you think admin is beneath you.

You sound rather precious OP

Im an assistant who also gets called admin. There are administrators below me in the heirarchy and we all get called "support" or the admin team. Doesnt bother me in the slightest.

@DrivingMo lots of non-admin roles involves making phone calls. GPs make phone calls. Lawyers make phone calls. Train drivers make phone calls.

[quote RhymesWithOrange]@DrivingMo lots of non-admin roles involves making phone calls. GPs make phone calls. Lawyers make phone calls. Train drivers make phone calls.[/quote]
Yes. But that's the "admin" part of the lawyer/GP etc job. OP is saying she's not doing admin because she makes phone calls. Which is stupid and incorrect. She does admin, she just doesn't appear to know what admin is.

@GetYourGoatYouHavePulled hmmmm you are being a bit judgmental thinking that I think admin is a lesser role. Until last year I had ‘admin’ In my job title.... now that’s not my job so I don’t know why the most senior manager won’t refer to our actual title.

You sound really precious, I used to have a job with the title 'Operations Manager', it paid well, company car .... but basically just doing everything that didn't fit into all the other job titles .... and it involved plenty of admin!

@DrivingMo OP has not said what her actual job is. and what it entails.
Which is obviously frustrating for you, but doesn't actually automatically mean she is "admin".

OP - you're being ridiculous and making a problem out of nothing. Your job title is "assistant", you do admin (even though you don't think you do, you do). You're pissed off about being called "admin", instead of "assistant". If I were your boss and you came to me complaining about being called "admin" when your job title is "assistant" then all I'd do is change your job title to "admin".

[quote RhymesWithOrange]@DrivingMo OP has not said what her actual job is. and what it entails.
Which is obviously frustrating for you, but doesn't actually automatically mean she is "admin".[/quote]
She listed the jobs she does. And they were admin jobs.

What’s your title, OP?

Not judgmental at all. You said “ yes I do find it below my station” what else can I take from that other than you think it is a lesser role?

You asked if you’re being unreasonable, the general consensus is yes, so get over yourself and move on.

[quote Mumsnorthernmonkey]@12309845653ghydrvj all I’m asking for is the correct title for my role. No I don’t just do admin.[/quote]
Are you one of THOSE employees?

I work for a company buying electrical units. I have a degree in electronics and I’m Buyers Assistant. I go to the Far East and talk to suppliers, get samples, meet clients.... I suggest to my manager what to buy.

So yeah I guess it’s admin.