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Original poster

PA boundaries and 'admin support'

205 replies

stressedoutpa · 20/02/2018 21:31

I started a new job before Christmas as PA to three directors. It's early days and I am still finding my feet but since starting I have found out that I am also expected to provide admin support to the three teams.

Without going into much detail, I am already busy with the three and various events/exhibitions and I am also being asked to complete random unrelated tasks for the teams which are often last minute; flights, hotels, car hire, taxis, po requests, couriers, post, etc. etc.

I could honestly scream..... I feel so frustrated. I left a 1:2 PA role for this job but this is more 1:25.

Clearly, I need to discuss this with my line manager but having spoken to one of the other directors and one of the PAs, the expectation is that you need to do what ever is asked.

At which point did five people's jobs become one PA job?

OP posts:
ItLooksABitOff · 08/03/2018 23:45

PB I was similar in that I had no clue what I wanted to do so I just kindof fell into admin work. I had an aptitude for it, was good at it so progressed quickly. I did lots of admin in my 20s, had a kid in my 30's, then started again in admin when I went back to work. This time though I did IT courses on the side - (database, LAN design, advanced excel, etc) n and it turns out I had a aptitude for that too, except IT is very male dominated and you don't have to be a nice girl all the time. Anyway, I used my new skills to make a sideways move and have been out of admin for some years now. Now I'm doing a PMP course. I've also lead teams etc. And I've also regularly met frustrated, intelligent women trying to get out of the ghetto.

I think a lot depends on the industry. I'm in a very male-dominated, but relatively fastpaced industry with a flat organizational structure (not super heirachical). That's helped. Most people where I work do their own basic admin tasks, no matter how many degrees they've got.

I would never recommend any woman with smarts and ambition go into admin. Knowing what I know now I wish I'd had the confidence to do IT courses etc when I was much younger, but I didn't think I could.

ItLooksABitOff · 08/03/2018 23:50

Polar if I may I strongly recommend you hold out if you can. Also look for roles like project coordinator, assistant project manager, etc.

Original poster
stressedoutpa · 09/03/2018 00:07

Very similar to me too.

Temped my way through uni as I could go home and earn pretty decent money. Struggled to find a job in my chosen career so ended up temping and just ended up going down the PA route. It paid fairly well in comparison and I was also quite good at it.

It has served me well in the sense that I've never been out of work but I have had lots of ups and downs. Lots of testing times. I have always worked really hard but have had a few times where I have been treated quite badly which is quite galling as I consider myself to be a good employee (always get everything done, arrive on time, never off sick, work hard, etc.).

In the early days I didn't really have a plan and never realised how limiting it would become (stupidly thought I had lots of opportunities in the early days).

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Original poster
stressedoutpa · 09/03/2018 00:12

In comparison to other jobs I think the ratio in terms of effort required and resulting reward is low.

Nice boss was promoted as I left. He desperately wanted me to stay with the company but I wanted to do other things. He has been promoted about four times during the time I have been away. His salary has doubled in that time. If I had stayed with the company I would imagine I would still be doing the same job for a few grand more... Sad

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ItLooksABitOff · 13/03/2018 21:16

checking in - how did the interview go?

Polarbearflavour · 13/03/2018 21:55

In my new job they have asked if I can “very occasionally” cover for the PA to one of the directors. Seeing as I used to be a PA and I was obviously sooooo good at it Hmm

Apparently it will “just” be when she takes over a week off on annal leave. And I guess if she goes off long term sick!

Not sure how to handle it - I can’t say no can I but I need to be assertive? It’s a new job so I need to tread carefully. Sad Will I ever break free out of the admin purgatory?! It’s a really nice team and I’m not treated as the team admin. The few really senior people have PAs, everyone else does their own travel/diary/room booking/expenses.

ItLooksABitOff · 13/03/2018 22:04

So they knew about your PA experience when they hired you?

Here's my suggestion fwiw: "Can I think it over and get back to you? I really want to focus on my new job and once I get a sense of how things are running, I'll let you know."

The thing is, who is going to take over for your job when you're doing someone else's? Why can't they hire a temp for her breaks? That doesn't make any sense...

I mean, if it were me, I'd find a way to say no. I think you are right to be concerned.

ItLooksABitOff · 13/03/2018 22:17

but actually this raises a really good point that I bet would help other women. How do you deal with the assumption that you should do adminny type stuff cos you're a woman? I bet this effects lots of other women too.

THe thing is you left PA work because you don't want to do it anymore. Could you just say that?

Polarbearflavour · 13/03/2018 22:24

Thanks - I bet they wouldn’t ask me if I was a man! In my interview I stressed that I had a project management qualification and had worked supporting projects and I was keen to move away from a PA role to a project based career path.

I’m going to have to push back nict. If I smile and act all helpful and sweet they will walk over me won’t they?

It’s not my forever job, DP is military so will probably move back to a place that’s commutable to London at the end of December 2019 - oooo that’s only next year Smile So hopefully with project co-ordinator on my CV I should be able to get a similar London job - on more money!

Original poster
stressedoutpa · 13/03/2018 23:28

I would push back on covering the PA job, Polar. Just say you changed direction as you are no longer interested in doing PA work. If that was part of your remit then it should have been discussed at interview.

Oh, and I got the job! Wink

OP posts:
LoveProsecco · 14/03/2018 08:56

Yay! Well done on the new role ✔️🍾WineBrewGinStarCake

expatinscotland · 14/03/2018 09:07

Well done, stressed.

You have to say no, Polar. As pointed out, who'd do your job whilst you were doing hers?

stressed's response is perfect. 'I gained new qualifications as I no longer wish to assume a PA role.'

kinorsam · 14/03/2018 09:27

It appears that many of the staff in the teams are treating you like a general dogsbody rather than the PA to the directors.

Could you go and have a chat with the director you get on best with (would that be the one who headhunted you?) and tell them what's going on. They are probably unaware that your time is being appropriated by junior staff so they don't have to deal with their own menial tasks.

Maybe the solution would be a junior assistant for you?

ItLooksABitOff · 14/03/2018 16:35

kinorsam stressed has left the role and has got another.

Congrats stressed I'm so freaking happy for you! Take that stupid PA role

JeezeLouise · 14/03/2018 20:38

Great news re new job!

ItLooksABitOff · 16/03/2018 16:31

PolarBear checking in - how did the the push-back go? Did they take it well?

Polarbearflavour · 16/03/2018 18:49

Turns out the PA is having a planned operation with around a month off work - next month! So I would have been covering! But it was only when I spoke to the PA herself that she told me the plan...

I pushed back on it and to my surprise they ended up agreeing that I couldn’t possibly cover and do my job too.

They are now getting in a temp to do her job when she’s away. Smile

ItLooksABitOff · 16/03/2018 19:15

brilliant!

Original poster
stressedoutpa · 16/03/2018 19:29

But it was only when I spoke to the PA herself that she told me the plan...

Hmm

Very glad you stood your ground.

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Original poster
stressedoutpa · 16/03/2018 19:31

Oh, and now I have handed my notice in, my line manager isn't speaking to me.

Nice

Counting down the days....

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ItLooksABitOff · 16/03/2018 19:41

wow, how professional [hmmm]

Are you getting an exit interview?

Original poster
stressedoutpa · 16/03/2018 19:58

Well, it's business as usual for me. Still working in exactly the same way and doing what I need to do, staying late, etc. That doesn't seem to apply to everyone!

I don't know. Sorting of hoping that I won't have an exit interview as I wonder what the point is. I have written some notes about the issues.

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ItLooksABitOff · 16/03/2018 20:23

Can I just say again how glad I am you are getting out.

ItLooksABitOff · 16/03/2018 20:23

Can I just say again how glad I am you are getting out.

Original poster
stressedoutpa · 16/03/2018 21:08

Thanks ItLooksABitOff

It's all so tiring and I just seem to be in the firing line for every misdemeanour.

One manager I did a task for then said she would need to do it herself next time, makes a point of ignoring me if I pass her in the corridor. She is literally the only person I have pushed back on.

I walked into Reception the other day and got an ear bashing because one of the managers hadn't organised a parking space. He had organised the meeting but apparently I am supposed to know that his visitor will need a space. I'm supposed to do this by checking everyone's calendar apparently. Because I've got time to check twenty odd calendars..... Confused

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