Boys club

[CelesteM]

Hi! I started a new job earlier this year which I initially had hesitations about, but as it was for a good company, stable long term project and good salary I happily accepted. 8 months later I am still in two minds about the role. I am middle aged in a senior management position, second in charge to 2 male executive managers of a large team. I now find I’m continually left out of important meetings, given very basic admin tasks and I sometimes feel like I’m now a PA to these 2 men and not the experienced team leader I was before I started. For example, on leaving office today I was asked if I had time to draft a document for a meeting I’m not attending tomorrow, something I haven’t been asked to do since I was a graduate!
I have a performance review coming up, but it is with these 2 same managers and the director of the company, so I feel like I won’t be able to voice my concerns or ask for more challenging tasks. I’ve been working in this industry for over 20 years, however I still feel it is a boys club. I’m now tempted to give notice and find something else and even something in a completely new industry! Should I wait it out to 12months and see if things improve, or cut my losses and find a new job? It seems harder to find good role in my profession as I approach 50, with all my team in their 20s and 30s and only a few of my senior executives in their 50s! Thank you!

The performance meeting just requires you to word things in the right way.

I’ve really appreciated being given time to settle in and I am now keen to ramp up and fully utilise my skills and experience. I’m really interested in attending x meetings to deepen my understanding of … and taking on y work which plays to my strengths etc.

Is there any budget to bring in a PA for 2 managers as I’ve noticed there is a gap for a type of work, This would also free me up to do xyz.

Basically go in and claim the work, ask to be added to invites etc.

Doesn't sound good but as said use your meeting to let them know without coming out and saying it. Perhaps suggest that because of the work they've been asking you to do they should perhaps hire a secretary/pa.

If you're new and they've been there for some time could they have been using this time to assess your abilities?

Thanks for your advice @BigFatLiar and @Princessglittery. My 6 month work review was rescheduled twice so I have been a bit late in replying. Had one of the worst work reviews in my career, so I feel I will have to give notice and find another position in the New Year. My employer who doesn’t work directly with me told me they didn’t know what I did, but felt I was unhappy, then my direct manager I work under just sat there and said nothing, I had another senior director in my review who I have never worked with say they didn’t know what I did either so they had no idea where to utilise my skills in the future. It was a very uncomfortable meeting. They then started chatting about upcoming holidays and making phone calls. I came out ready to give my notice! I feel like I am just a number in their company and they really don’t want me there or care about my future. Do employers give reviews like this when they want you out, but can’t be bothered firing you? They gave me no positive feedback (actually no feedback at all), no constructive criticism or ideas where they see me in the company in the future.

I’m sorry, that sounds a really poorly managed review. I think your instincts are right that this is not the role for you.

@Princessglittery yes this has prompted to take a good look at my career and realise I may just not be suited for this industry or this type of work. I still feel a bit down about it that I’m at my stage of life with no future in my current role! All the work I have done this year has basically been for nought!

It probably says more about the company you're working with.

My only really bad review was with a manager I barely knew and it was only when he mentioned some projects that were late did I realise it was someone else's review, he actually had no idea who I was. I complained to the head of HR and to the board member in charge of our area and had the review changed.

Reviews should be a two way discussion but it sounds like they were just going through the motions. Having taken you on could if be they have no concrete plans to utilise your skills?