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?

@DrivingMo she also says she does the same work as her boss, just they do more, and "taking calls from people, being proactive and raising concerns, knowledge in my field"

Job titles tend to destroy teams because by defining your roll rigidly people become unwilling to be flexible.
When I was “the boss” I hated staff adopting titles. It gave them airs and graces and pissed off the team as a whole. I used to and still do ( now I am just an associate) lead by example. If a floor needs sweeping or a drain unblocking I get on with it for the good of the team. I would never ask anyone to do a job I wasn’t happy to do myself.
There is nothing more irritating than a staff member constantly reminding you of their proper title.

X post - no, I don't think that's "admin" op

@Angrymum22 my concern is the most senior management actually calling those on my level our correct job title. It’s also been corrected in a team meeting by the manager below her.

@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.

But they're all using assistant as an adjective and I understood the OP as saying it was the noun in her job title - surely there's quite a big difference? I agree that 'assistant X' could mean almost any job (including very senior ones) but 'assistant' or 'X assistant' does, I think, suggest an administrator in almost all contexts?

[quote Mumsnorthernmonkey]@Angrymum22 my concern is the most senior management actually calling those on my level our correct job title. It’s also been corrected in a team meeting by the manager below her.[/quote]
And why does that concern you?

What tangible difference does it make to you if she refers to you as a trainee buyer or an administrator in an email?

Civil service here. We have Administration Assistants, and Administrative Officers. Both have Admin in the title, but AAs will do the filing, photocopying etc, the AOs will do more clerical work such as take calls, handle and delegate correspondence, deal with complaints, use their valuable knowledge to support their 'Executive Officer' and Higher Executive Officer' colleagues. They're still 'admin'. I think any role with Assistance in the title, given it's a 'help/aiding/assisting' role, is considered administrative work.

OP there is nothing wrong or lowly about being classed as "admin".
Companies couldn't run without it.
My role title is officially 'Document Controller' but I wouldnt get worked up about being branded an administrator.

Seriously? Step back OP and consider - do you enjoy your job? Are you happy with your pay? Your holiday entitlement? Does it matter what you're called so long as you're receiving the correct remuneration? A rose by any other name...

I do think your title is the wrong way round - I think it sounds like you're an assistant buyers, not a buyer's assistant - the latter sounds a lot like you're a personal assistant and from your description that isn't what you actually do.

@quarentini respect? I wouldn’t call her a title other than what she is.

@Hardbackwriter yeah.... was trying to cover my tracks ;)

I agree that 'assistant X' could mean almost any job (including very senior ones) but 'assistant' or 'X assistant' does, I think, suggest an administrator in almost all contexts?

Not really. I just plugged the word "assistant" into LinkedIn jobs and got

Framing Assistant
Launderette Assistant
Production Assistant
Radiographic Assistant
Behavioural Support Assistant

Amongst a lot of admin assistants. But a Buyer's Assistant / Assistant Buyer isn't "admin".

Usually a buyers assistant is admin and an assistant buyer is not - don't know if that's the same where you work

I love how your job role has completely changed from the start of the thread. You started off saying admin was "generally what I do" and now you're travelling the world and meeting clients all of a sudden.

OP, you aren't admin and I can see why it would be annoying that she gives you the generic name of 'admin' when actually your role is technical. Do you have your job title in your email signature? Maybe that would help reinforce what you actually do....

I started working as an associate dentist I then bought the practice and became principal dentist. I sold the practice and moved back to associate dentist. When I retire I will carry on working as an assistant dentist. Currently I am senior clinical lead, chief fixer and general problem solver. At no point has my actual job changed. The job title is irrelevant, I’m a dentist.
If your job is fundamentally administrative then you are an administrator whether assistant, head,chief, 3rd senior junior. If you are being paid the correct grade and you are doing the job according to your job description what does it matter.

I think you are spending far too much emotional energy worrying about this.

Maybe change jobs if it is that important to you, then you can make sure you get a job that matches exactly what you want

I think there are lots of negative posts here from people re admin.
I do admin. Main part of my job. I'm ok with that. My job descriptions are always pants.

Most very senior people I know do lots of admin aswell.

@PrivateD00r yes it’s on the email signature and also the restructure she did

@Angrymum22 missing the point. My job title is X, so when she’s sending our team emails and wants me and the others to do things, refer to us as our actual job title?

I run tube stations in London. My team are Customer Service Supervisors/Managers/,Assistants. I am a supervisor. I do everything an Assistant (customer service, mostly) does but I'm also responsible for the overall safety and security of the station, plus I'm "bronze control" until Silver and Gold take over during incidents. TfL staff outside LU operations refer to me, my assistant, and my managers all as Station Staff. I am not offended by this, because that is what we are. Though some male employees don't believe a female can be a supervisor

However OP is actually not being described accurately. They are a skilled buyer with technical expertise. I'd quickly write an email to HR saying so. Having said that, I wouldn't spend too much time thinking about it. The HoD clearly has no idea how their department even operates!

If it’s any consolation, I’m a manger - according to my job title but I don’t have any staff and I’m not a project manager either but I do work at a senior level in a big organisation. I don’t really care what I’m called... I’m paid to do a job and I do it well, they could call me The Equaliser for all it matters (showing my age there)

Buyers Assistant is admin in my workplace. We have the same structure too - Assistant, Officer, Senior Officer, Manager etc. That said, I refer to individuals with their correct job titles in emails. Is your job title in your email signature?