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Advice needed from experienced admin peeps/EA's and PA's

5 replies

Musteatcake · 22/04/2022 14:49

I am 6 months into a new post and have previously had really good, open and honest communication with the people I worked for. This role started off great, but within a few weeks of a new LM starting things changed, I am not sure if it because I work for a senior manager but am line managed by someone else but it feels slightly toxic of late. I feel very out on a limb, particularly when asked about procedures/policies as if what I feedback doesn't feed into how my manager wants to do things i.e. he wants to go against policy it is a point scoring exercise with my LM backing my manager. My ideas for improvements are taken foreword by my LM with no recognition for any scoping work I have undertaken and comments on projects that don't fit what they want become fodder for corridor discussions and whispers within earshot of my office. I am really struggling to find my fit and build effective working relationships with my manager who feels that it is ok to throw me under the bus for things I haven't done and removes catch up time from the diary and moans about or is defensive about a lot of the things I say and do. There is very little in terms of a structure and it feels pretty much like guess work and whilst I am very experienced I feel quite useless. I don't feel that I can have an honest discussion with my LM as she feeds back stuff to the manager I work for. Can anyone offer any help in how to deal with this and improve it? I know there has been a few temp staff before me, but I am permanent but just want to do things the right way.

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Keepitonthedownlow · 22/04/2022 14:53

I don't know it sounds like effectively you have two managers. I would keep a paper trail of everything you are asked to do so you can back up if the sh*t hits the fan.

Can you think of any examples of where you LM's requests have differed from what you've been asked to do by the other person? Just to get an idea of where the main issues are?

Gazelda · 22/04/2022 14:56

Have you had any formal supervision meetings?

Do you get feedback from the manager you work for (ie not LM)?

What about induction - was there an induction programme and was that effective?

Musteatcake · 22/04/2022 17:17

I have had no induction. I do spend a lot of time supporting/knowledge sharing with LM to bring her up to speed on procedures etc, which I guess could be part of the problem if she feels threatened by me.
Feedback on my work has been limited but when I have asked in joint meetings if there is anything I am not doing and should be etc, I have been told all ok.

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Cornettoninja · 22/04/2022 17:25

I wish I was confident enough in my assumptions to make the ‘tell me you work for the NHS without telling me you work for the NHS’ line…

Regardless of where you do work, it sounds like a pretty toxic environment made harder by people who are comfortable for it to remain that way. I’d constantly be preparing to cover my own arse and looking for something else tbh.

Musteatcake · 22/04/2022 17:37

Thank you for your replies, I think making file notes of everything is the way to go alongside looking for another role. I just keep trying to justify responses from LM & manager, in terms of I must be lacking in something...? I am not perfect, but more than happy to own my mistakes, and to help others as far as I can. I have worked with some complex managers in stressful roles and had good working relationships, which had ups and downs but nothing like this.

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