Being bossed around by junior colleague..

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Just looking for advie on how to handle this..

Am a dental receptionist, and have worked with current employer for 4 years.

New trainee nurse has just started. She is just turned 18 (half my age) and is very loud and full of herself!

The waiting room has to be tidied at the end of the evening, and is supposed to be done by whoever is free. However there has been a bit of bad feeling and bitching from the nurses as they think the receptionists should do it (it's like school!) I don't even have any objections to doing it.

Last week this junior nurse came out to me and said "Before you go home will you tidy the waiting room as the magazines are messy", like she is my boss.

When I went through there was 1 slightly out of place, which would have taken her literally 1 second to move. I just did it as I am a peace loving type and shy and didn't want to cause a scene.

But it has been annoying me ever since. I don't feel like I want to work there if I am going to be pushed around every week by a trainee. My manager agrees it is outrageous that she was ordering me around, but is not going to say anything as I agreed its a very small team and would prefer to handle it in a less confrontational manner.

I have also heard this girl telling people in staff room that I just sit around at end of night and do nothing, which is not true.

Feels like being bullied at school, except I am way too old for it (and i was bullied, badly)

Does anyone have any suggestions?

TIA

I think the employer needs to clarify roles and responsibilities, even small detail like magazines. It's up to them who does what. No one likes to be bossed about. When the responsibility is ambiguous then it opens it up for everyone to pass the buck so they don't have to do it. This goes for magazines and all other jobs left unaccounted for. Responsibilities need to be clear cut. I find the lower the grade, the more authoritarian the person. A little bit of power going to heads. She's a nurse, not the prime minister. She isn't in a position to give orders, let alone loudly. You naturally psychologically resisted being bossed around. Anyone in the same position would do the same, regardless of their age. These responsibilities need to come from the top.

Good thread.I have a similar problem.I feel like everyone should pitch in with the tedious chores where I work.When I was a junior these would be been delegated to me.Times have changed so we share the floor mopping.Increasingly I feel the apprentices answer back of will when given this job despite me doing it with over thirty years experience in my dept.Where do these teens get off!I try my hardest not to be Patronizing and yet feel belittled to often.I hope you sort this Op.By the way I'm known for being assertive generally.

Chores may seem tedious and lowly to you, but they all have an important function which together make the place what it is. Don't underestimate any chore, whatever role that might be. All jobs in a workforce have an element of routine and repetition about them.

In this case, tidying magazines might seem tedious to employee but to a customer, it appears that the place is tidy and welcoming.

Everyone "should not pitch in". Everyone should do what they have been assigned to do. The dentist might be fed up doing what he considers "tedious" fillings but he can't expect the receptionist to do a filling on a patient. The receptionist has a specific role , same as every role in the practice.

If responsibility for clearing magazines is an issue, then aggrieved employee needs to bring this up with her employer so that employer can decide. Make everyone aware so that peers are not telling each other what to do (which must be really annoying for the OP).

I think all responsibilities should be assigned by the employer to the relevant person so that no one is in any doubt about who does what and therefore resents being told what to do by someone (who doesn't have the authority to do so).

Your employer is looking for you to do your job to the best of your ability. If you go an extra mile, that is in your favour and keeps you employable, no matter what the responsibility. Don't sweat the small stuff.

As this thread is 9 years old, I suspect the problem has been resolved. Or not.

how did the meeting go, I worked with someone like this, she was a nightmare, telling people what to do, refusing to help, a real bossy little queen bee who thought everyone thought she was great but we didn't, we thought she was just a silly little bully. maybe the practice manager could bring up the subject of mutual respect for each other in a meeting, professionalism, how to raise concerns and bullying. the patients will also see this behaviour which is never acceptable.

just realised how old this thread is