Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not run personal errands for my boss

147 replies

Sundaycoffee · 05/06/2023 00:02

How would you handle a boss asking you to run personal errands when it is not in your job description. I am her personal assistant and also look after 2 other directors (but she is my main line manager), so this is a bit of a grey area maybe due to my job title? Nowhere on my job description does it mention running personal errands and none of the other PAs in the business run personal errands for their managers. (I have asked and they all seem shocked at the things I am being asked to do).

Recently she has asked me to:
Find quotes for taxis to the airport for a personal holiday
Print off personal forms for her husband who doesn't even work in the company.
Research bars for her to go on a night out with friends
Research holiday villas for a girls holiday

I do all these things during work hours and not in my own time but I just feel like this seems really cheeky when I am already run off my feet doing work related tasks.

Is it worth approaching this in any way or do I just grin and bear it?

OP posts:
BirdChirp · 05/06/2023 12:02

I'm a PA. I'd raise my eyebrows at researching the bar and villas for her girls' holidays. WTF can't one of the other 'girls' do this research?

In general though I expect a certain amount of personal admin as part of the role (I've never worked public sector, just private). Some of it has been ludicrous and bordering on a power trip - booking an electrolysis treatment for a junior manger, travelling for an hour to turn off someone's electric shaver, doing a 6 year's old homework, sewing a strap back on a shoe. I'm too old for that shit now - my current manager (who is CEO) asked when I joined if I preferred an element of personal work or solely a business focus. I said business, so as a result he rarely gives me anything personal, and is always respectful about it.

OP I'd use the prioritising route - 'wont have time today, is end of week ok?' - saying it's not in your job description, not sure how that would land.

electriclight · 05/06/2023 12:04

I think this thread tells you that it is entirely normal for PAs to do those types of tasks.

Are you sure your contract doesn't stipulate 'anything else we want you to do'?

If not, and you are determined to stick to the letter of your job description, you could raise it but I feel that there could be unintended consequences.

I would do it but only when my other work was done.

Babdoc · 05/06/2023 12:05

I’d be tempted to have some fun with this, OP. Recommend her a list of inappropriate or awful bars - male gay bars, old man pubs, ones in dodgy areas, etc.
If she moans afterwards, innocently say that you were very busy with work for your other two bosses and just grabbed a list of bars without checking, as you didn’t have time. She won’t ask again.

StarbucksSmarterSister · 05/06/2023 18:16

I think this thread tells you that it is entirely normal for PAs to do those types of tasks.

Especially the more senior the role. I used to do a variety of personal tasks, had huge flexibility in return and a free holiday in one boss's villa for several years (with my friends, not him🙂). Also Wimbledon tickets on the company a few times. Other PAs would get similar.

If you work for more than one boss, prioritisation is the key and that is something the OP needs to discuss.

Iheartsummertime · 05/06/2023 18:45

My friend was a PA for a business owner and she did everything...research and book an entire holiday, ship over holiday equipment, (skiing), make his breakfast, order the wife's presents. Along with all the corporate stuff. It was her job. Definitely get clarification before refusing to do stuff or doing it badly.

Original poster
Sundaycoffee · 05/06/2023 22:00

Thanks all. I have been a PA for 11 years and 4 years in this very well known large corporate. In our company the EAs at 1:1 C suite I totally get doing more personal admin but MD / director level it isn't so common.
This is a new manager to me. My previous manager (who is now my current managers boss) I worked for for over 3 years and I was never asked to do anything like this. My new manager is newly promoted into the role and I just don't want to be taken advantage of I suppose.
Very happy to grab lunch for her or anything to make her day a bit easier, I've even waited in her flat before while she was in meetings in the office for an engineer to come out to fix her wifi but never before have I received an email from a manager saying "me and the girls are going out in town on Saturday night, can you do some research and send me a list of bars in the area that look good" isn't that something her and her friends should be organising outside of work hours?

OP posts:
Quitelikeit · 05/06/2023 22:06

If your old manager is her boss and you worked for them for 3 years surely you can run this by them in a hushed sort of way? Just to say what do you think kind of thing? Say you aren’t complaining but wanted their thoughts on the matter

Original poster
Sundaycoffee · 05/06/2023 22:13

Quitelikeit · 05/06/2023 22:06

If your old manager is her boss and you worked for them for 3 years surely you can run this by them in a hushed sort of way? Just to say what do you think kind of thing? Say you aren’t complaining but wanted their thoughts on the matter

I actually already have and she said she isn't sure as maybe she was just quite self sufficient and advised asking the other PAs to see what they do for their managers (hence why I spoke to them) which is when they all said they didn't do anything like I do

OP posts:
Quitelikeit · 05/06/2023 22:33

Hmm it’s very tricky as that really wasn’t a helpful response

well saying that imo the response was that she didn’t seem to mind. So if her boss doesn’t seem to mind you are essentially screwed unless you want to be seen as a pain and take it right to the top - even mentioning it to her could sour your relationship

TBH I would just do it. Think of the experience you are getting - maybe work for Beyoncé in your next role at this rate 🙂🙂

Gothambutnotahamster · 05/06/2023 22:40

StarbucksSmarterSister · 05/06/2023 00:56

Until recently I was a PA for many years mostly, but not exclusively, in large international companies in the city.

This was completely normal in every job I worked in (both for myself and all my PA colleagues). The more senior the boss, the more likely it would happen, as they didn't have the time themselves. Nobody thought it unusual but I guess it depends on the industry, boss's job, etc. Have you never faced this in any previous jobs or is it your first PA role?

If you're not happy because you can't get "work" work done, then talk to your boss about prioritisation. If you don't think you should do it at all, discuss that too, with HR if necessary but everywhere I've worked, some personal admin has been seen as part of the job. The fact it's not in the job description may be covered by the catch all "any other tasks as may be required from time to time".

I never had an issue but I had great relationships with most of my bosses and they were always grateful.

I agree with this - usually because the boss works extremely long hours, so needs this kind of support also.

Grazedpad · 05/06/2023 22:50

Dh worked for a company that offered all those kind of services to their staff - they would be working long hours and do organising their personal lives was tricky.

InSpainTheRain · 05/06/2023 22:51

I have had a PA in several roles and they have always been ok about doing personal errands. Some have even said they like it as it gives job more variety. However, I always make sure they get a thank you (favourite perfume on the back through the airport, time off if I'm out of country and they have less work etc). I think it's expected OP, sorry.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 05/06/2023 23:06

I think doing stuff like getting lunches, booking transport to meetings etc are one thing-checking out reviews of bars to arrange a pub crawl for the “girls” is another and would refuse that one.

Grazedpad · 05/06/2023 23:12

Our PA would consider recommending bars to be part of her job - it would take her a few seconds - she makes s point of knowing the best places.

pooeylouie · 05/06/2023 23:23

Shock at the responses here saying this is normal. PA to v senior exec at a huge multi national, lots of experience in the role - I would never / have never been expected to carry out personal errands for my boss. I would view any boss who asked me to research holidays for them as totally taking the p*

LittleMissViolet · 05/06/2023 23:49

pooeylouie · 05/06/2023 23:23

Shock at the responses here saying this is normal. PA to v senior exec at a huge multi national, lots of experience in the role - I would never / have never been expected to carry out personal errands for my boss. I would view any boss who asked me to research holidays for them as totally taking the p*

Me too and totally agree. I have done these type of tasks previously but it's generally been where the boss actually owns the company.

If she's new to the role then I would push back and tell her they are out of your remit. Wifi not working at home is slightly different because it will impact her ability to WFH (if that's what she does).

She sounds like a bit of a CF to me. Tread carefully.....

PyongyangKipperbang · 06/06/2023 00:48

Sounds like she has never had a PA before and thinks that she can act the same way as a v senior exec can. Time to push back.

Maybe accidentally on purpose be late delivering to one of the others and say that you're sorry its late but "manager asked me to research holiday destinations for her birthday " and let them deal with it. They won't be happy!

bobblyjob · 06/06/2023 04:21

I am in a management position and bloody busy (like trying to listen in to meetings in the shower because I don’t have time to do both) and I would love to have someone to organise my life for me but I would absolutely expect to pay someone out of my own money to do anything non work related! Clearly the private system is different to the public…
For things like printing I would just ignore it for enough hours to make it easier for her to do it herself. For finding bars etc I would say I would do it if I got time and just not have time!

roseheartfly · 06/06/2023 06:00

I'd focus on building a good relationship with her. Don't see the issue..

Grazedpad · 06/06/2023 10:12

OP you (and a few other posters) seem very concerned about the misuse of company resources however all the things you described were offered freely to all staff under concierge services at dh's last company...it is in the company's interest to ensure their talented team's lives can still go on despite them working long demanding hours. I think you are on shaky ground to challenge this, your boss will be pissed off with your unhelpful approach...they will lose you, before they lose her.

RoxyMuzak · 06/06/2023 10:17

My first job in school holidays aged 16, in an office, boss used to ask me to get him 20 Benson and Hedges from a shop down the road, and he'd say 'have one yourself for going'.

MadamWhiteleigh · 06/06/2023 10:22

I think I would do it but only if I’d done everything else work-related first. So have this stuff at the bottom of your ‘to-do’ list and if you don’t get to it, you don’t get to it.

Gothambutnotahamster · 06/06/2023 11:13

Grazedpad · 06/06/2023 10:12

OP you (and a few other posters) seem very concerned about the misuse of company resources however all the things you described were offered freely to all staff under concierge services at dh's last company...it is in the company's interest to ensure their talented team's lives can still go on despite them working long demanding hours. I think you are on shaky ground to challenge this, your boss will be pissed off with your unhelpful approach...they will lose you, before they lose her.

I agree with you. Having experienced this in a previous role, I couldn't have managed my job if it didn't also support my personal requirements and my PA was more than happy to support that. This was all above board though and expectations were all agreed in advance.

2bazookas · 06/06/2023 11:26

I'd just do it so badly she won't ask you again. Search Tripadvisor for the worst bars, taxi firms etc.

Grazedpad · 06/06/2023 11:51

2bazookas · 06/06/2023 11:26

I'd just do it so badly she won't ask you again. Search Tripadvisor for the worst bars, taxi firms etc.

I'm afraid this is part of a PA's job to arrange client/colleague dinners and drinks, and part of this is knowing suitable places to go to - if she can't use good judgement and do this part of her job well enough, that reflects very badly on her.

Swipe left for the next trending thread