Unsupportive Office Manager

[MoreLettuce]

I work Pt as a Secretary working for a lovely team with the exception of the Office Manager who I know doesn’t like me.

A couple of examples;
Not knowing if our Team Leader was in, I emailed her asking (twice) No reply was ever received.

We needed further clarification regarding a job that had come our way. I emailed her, no reply.

Last week we received an email that we were not sure how to deal with, and I had to ask my colleague to instead email our manager. Within the hour she did.

Its been this way for some time. I’ve no idea what Ive done to her, but I know from how cold she is on the zoom meetings that she doesn’t like me.

How best do I deal with this? I’m hesitant complaining as I don’t like doing this, I just want to be supported.

You either ask her outright, or you complain. I'd go with the former in the first instance. But it's one of those things - I can't see what else you could do.

I'd send the first email as usual; no reply, I'd then send it again and copy in your line manager.

I will definitely remember to copy in the line manager should it happen again (which I know it will). Thank you both for your replies.

Have a chat with her - face to face if you can, say there's been a few times you've tried to contact her but have had no reply, ask her how she'd prefer you communicated with her - she might respond quicker to Whatsapp or Teams chat - or maybe she prefers a phone call?

I’ve tried that several times in the past. She never picks up much preferring an email which she then never replies to!

I agree with a pp. email her with examples or ask her outright if there’s a preferred method of communication as she doesn’t seem to be replying - ask if your emails are going to her junk folder

maybr she will feel a pang of shame

Don't email examples - it will only antagonise her.

However, asking her preferred method of communication is 100% acceptable and then ensure every future request is in this manner.

If ur still ignored, cc'd ur manager (and theirs) into the request will get it done, however will realistically only make her hate you more.

So after you've had the chat about how she'd prefer you to communicate with her, explored other options on how you'd find out the information you require (other people/systems) - forexample reception would know who's in the office - do you have access to their calendars? In your request do you explain why you need the information, why it's urgent, when you need the reply by, follow up with a reminder, further reminder (all on the same chain) including the person you are trying to get the information for? After doing all that and not getting anywhere I'd consider having a chat with her boss - not an email, a chat, face to face, asking for advice on where you are going wrong, offer to change the way you are doing things, no accusations of she doesn't like me - it's not going to help...you are trying to get a job done not win a popularity contest - her personality traits will probably be well known already - don't add to them.

Should add at the end you need to speak to your manager too - keep them in the loop about the difficulty you are having - again stay away from the "she doesn't like me" (she probably hates everyone!😂).