To think this is not how it should work

[Believeinunicorns]

My current PA is leaving so work are recruiting me a new one. But apparently I have no say in the process and no say in who my new PA is. In the past when I’ve had company’s recruit PA’s for me I’ve always had a say in the process. Aibu to think this is not how it should work and that I should get a say in who my new PA will be?

Why is the current PA leaving?

It's strange that you're in a position where you need a PA but you're overruled by your employer on this. Who's making this decision?

I think you should have a say in the hiring process, but hat is their reasoning for you not being involved? How long have you been at the company?

'Believe in unicorns'
'Recruiting me a new one'

What are their reasons for not involving you? Seems stranger not to.

Lol you are typing everything I am thinking

Does it really matter if the person has all of the right qualities and qualifications for the job?

Seriously?

I don’t gel with literally everyone I meet.

I would absolutely want to gel with someone I was going to have a very close working relationship with. The only way I’d know that would be to meet them.

And what does ‘right qualities’ mean, other than that? Won’t the person for whom the EA will be working have their own ideas about the ‘right qualities’ for them?

The only response I got from my employer was that as I’m not part of the recruitment team they can’t involve me in the process. That’s it in a nutshell.

I used to be a PA and there’s absolutely no way I’d take a position without meeting the person I’d be working for first. Did it once and he turned out to be a massive tosser and I left within a week.

I agree but first round should be with the recruitment team/HR people first.

As an EA I would find it quite bizarre not to meet the person I would be working for at some point of the recruitment process.

That said, I could take the role, and you could move on in a month / six months and I’d have no choice but to work for the replacement.

Unless there is some huge back story, I think I’d be a bit concerned about your role / position in the company.

You should absolutely be involved. It is such a close relationship that you need input.

The OP is saying she has no say in the recruitment process.

I don’t understand why anyone - least of all PAs/EAs themselves - are defending this.

As a prospective candidate, I’d be very reluctant to hand in my notice at a job I was comfortable in to work for someone I’d never met, even if the pay and conditions were better.

How about suggesting you get to meet the top two candidates? That way recruitment has already deemed them suitable & qualified?

If you have a PA presumably you are senior enough to have some clout in sorting this situation out without needing to come to an internet forum?

That does seem bonkers. Not good for either side - the fit between people working closely together is key.

My last place was like this. The admin support was shyte. Everywhere else I have worked I would have been part of the process and the admin-"boss" relationship worked so much better.

Well yes and this! Surprised you need MNs opinion on it.

'Admin'
'Boss'

No thanks to working for you

How utterly ridiculous. Of course you should be part of the process.

What happens if you leave in 6 months, would yo u expect them to be fired so the new you can pick one they like?

This is common practice in most places. At my work the corporate services or admin managers would do the interviewing/hiring for PAs as they will line manage them, do their appraisals etc and the PAs may need to be agile to help out other seniors to cover gaps when their PAs are absent

I’m not trained in recruitment, but I do know my job and what skills and experience is needed in someone I’ll be working with. That’s the bit I do, supported by HR who don’t know about that but do understand recruitment. I can’t remember the last time I was interviewed by an HR person either.

Well, you’ve asked on AIBU, so of course some posters will twist themselves in knots to say you shouldn’t have any say in it.

Of course. There is also a tendency on here for some posters to revel in people being put in their place by their employees.

If I was being interviewed for this position it would be a red flag that You weren't involved in my recruitment. I want to know who I am working for as much as you want to know me.