Once again I am left out of office events... I'm just the F RECEPTIONIST...

[basscatcher]

I need to rant.. It just irratates me now thats all. I was hired here as a receptionist with administrative support duties. I was told that my position hasn't been sat in for long periods of time since this company started. The longest someone has stayed in this position is 2 years. I have put in 2 1/2 years. I am the longest running receptionist they have had. There is an Accounting Department and Property Manager Department. We have on average 3 accountants with a Accounting Supervisor and a Controller. There is approximately 5 Property Managers. The President and his wife does payroll and benefits.

 

When they hired me they didn't welcome me in by taking me to lunch or doing anything special for me.. All through my service here I have seen each person leaving and each person coming into the company get treated to lunch on the company.. When there is a special occasion for someone they get taken out for lunch.. I have only once been out with anyone for lunch and that was when my gf left. Everyone knew we had become friends that went outside the company and on her last day they invited me along..

 

Other then that all I ever get invited too is the Xmas luncheon, which the Presidents son comes in and fills in during that time and on Employee Appreciation Day.

There is typically someone in the office to answer phones but they still dont include me most things... I use to get really hurt being left out and also for not getting the same welcoming treatment that other new employees get..

I have grown very bitter and resentful of this company and I really need to get out of here before one day I blow my fuse and just rip into people for not treating their employees fairly..

 

But I am ONLY THE f***IN RECEPTIONIST... I ain't worth Shyt but when they need help 'boy o boy' who do you think they call????

 

Yeah ME... I have a degree (Associate of Applied Science) as a Administrative Assistant. Upon my hiring I was told that I would be able to promote and use my skills and knowledge. I have yet to see that happen...

I am a frickin Gopher....

[Outcast]

This, pada, is the life of a lackey. Been there, done that. Ya get nothing.

 

Upon my hiring I was told that I would be able to promote and use my skills and knowledge. I have yet to see that happen...

 

Never believe anything that isn't given you in writing

[jen_jen_heartbroken]

Pad,

I'm so sorry. That is really unfair. That would never happen where I work. People really appreciate our administrative support staff, and I know I'd be screwed without them. You really need to move to a firm that will appreciate and value each employee for the talents they bring.

[SmoochieFace]

Never believe anything that isn't given you in writing

 

Boy, isn't that the truth!

[SoleMate]

They're not treating you right - you should get the same/similar welcome and appreciation as others - so I suggest it is time to move on.

 

I work in a 15 person office where our office manager/receptionist/purchasing/HR/safety person is an absolute gem, hardworking and capable. And we tell her so, and show our appreciation, on a daily basis. Not with lunches and gifts - nobody here gets that and I prefer it that way - but by thanking her and praising her for her good work. She earns it, and we're lucky to have her, so we're trying to keep her as happy as possible.

[basscatcher]

Thanks everyone for your support. It really sucks. I use to go home and cry because I felt so under appreciated. I use to think that I went to college for nothing.

 

There are 2 people here that make me feel appreciated and valued and they both know if I get the right job offer I am gone. They both told me they really don't want me to leave becasue they would be lost without me.. I help them out a lot. One is the Vice President/Property Manager. He really needs a fulltime assistant but the company won't give him one. The other is a sweet lady who is a Property Manager and I help her out when she needs me. She asks me for help with her brochures and anything to do with technology.. Even the IT consultant asks me to help him because he says I have more knowledge and training in IT work then anyone else here.

 

It's rather interesting that everyone knows my value yet they seem to under appreciate me.. I would love to be a fly on the wall the day I leave to see how much everyone falls apart because I am not here to help them in their daily grind. Faxing, mail, postage, computer-printer-faxing-postage-landline and cell phone problems, supplies, defusing upset clients, scheduling, resourcefulness, organization, directory and handbook supplies. etc etc... If I even take one day off of work for a doctor appointment or anything things become a mess here. I then get told they missed me because they needed my help. I get bombarded with issues the day I come back.

 

I need a different job.. I pray my Palm reading this weekend will come true an I will find a fullfilling job this summer. I am looking. admin assts are mostly temp, contract and part-time positions here. It's hard to find a direct hire, fulltime w/benefits..

[Art_Critic]

Pada.. I'm not one to give advice to tell someone to leave their job.. but..

 

You need to actively look for another job.

 

You need to be somewhere where you feel appreciated and feel like you can grow there.

 

Start looking..I'll bet anything that you will find a better job that pays a good bit more..Companies that treat their people like crap also under pay them.

[basscatcher]

Pada.. I'm not one to give advice to tell someone to leave their job.. but..

 

You need to actively look for another job.

 

You need to be somewhere where you feel appreciated and feel like you can grow there.

 

Start looking..I'll bet anything that you will find a better job that pays a good bit more..Companies that treat their people like crap also under pay them.

 

I have been activly seeking ART.. I've been looking for over a year. My problem is I can't get out to seek. I don't dare use the fax machine here at work to fax my resume or even get caught looking for employement in the newspaper. I surf online with eyes behind my head so I don't get caught. I haven't had internet at home for 3 months because my puter was getting worked on. Now the ISP won't let me log on because they are telling me I have a virus that is jumping back and fourth from their server and my puter. I think its a bunch of BS cause I've ran antivirus and there is nothing and a certified Microsoft Programer/Developer from Microsoft worked on my puter; not some second hand IT person... So I think the ISP tech is just being an a$$. I am waiting for my software from a different ISP, then I can get up and moving again at home.. Taking time for interviews is going to be tricky also. I work 17 miles from home and I will be focusing my job search within 10 miles from my home and not up in this area because the highway I take to work is going to be under construction this summer. They are blasting out 3 bridges. It is going to be a nightmare. I want to stay away from this area.. Anyway, the commute for interviews with the time is going to be tricky.

 

I need to pray things will fall into place and work out.

[alphamale]

PADA, get me a cup of coffee, light cream & sugar....

[basscatcher]

PADA, get me a cup of coffee, light cream & sugar....

 

 

would you like me under the desk too?

[hooghie]

That sucks Pada. Hating every second of your job is one of the worst feelings.

Here are a few suggestions:

 

Do you have a friend or someone near you who has a computer, printer, and internet connection? Perhaps even a fax machine? Most computers nowadays are set up to send faxes directly from the computer through the phone line so you may be albe to use that. Maybe you can go somewhere and spend all day saturday targeting companies and jobs and sending your resume.

 

As far as having time for an interview. Can you go during lunch? Can you leave an hour early and skip lunch? A lot of companies are sensitive to the fact that you already have a job and will accomodate you.

 

good luck

[Art_Critic]

Pada.. why not let charlie Help you.. I'll bet he can..

 

Besides doesn't he have a computer/i-net connection you can use ?

[basscatcher]

hoogie--I will be up and running in the next week at home with the internet again... As for commuting==have you ever drove in a big city metro traffic flow? Its a pain in the rearend. I'd never make it in time. It already takes me 45 minutes to an hour to get 17 miles one way in the morning. NO stop lights or turns..

 

 

ART- Charlie is a gem but he is pretty much computer illiterate... haha he is a blue collar worker--he likes to drive his bobcat and plow snow.. :bunny:

He has a computer but not hooked up to the net and its all games on it for his kids entertainment..

 

I live in the Southwest Metro, I work in the Northwest Metro and Chalie lives in the Southeast Metro. nothing is set up for convience right now. haha..

I believe what is ment to be will happen..

[hooghie]

hoogie--I will be up and running in the next week at home with the internet again... As for commuting==have you ever drove in a big city metro traffic flow? Its a pain in the rearend. I'd never make it in time. It already takes me 45 minutes to an hour to get 17 miles one way in the morning. NO stop lights or turns..

 

 

Nope- I either walk or take the train everywhere.

Is the place you work the only company in that area? Maybe there are others you can commute to right after work.

 

You may have to call in sick or take a vacation day for an interview.

[basscatcher]

Nope- I either walk or take the train everywhere.

Is the place you work the only company in that area? Maybe there are others you can commute to right after work.

 

You may have to call in sick or take a vacation day for an interview.

 

Yep--already figured that. but then if I don't get hired within a few interviews Im out of vacation time and sick time. I've been careful with them in case I needed them for something really important but this year the weather has been too warm and there are so many illnesses going around. It sucks.. I got really sick during xmas and new years and used up my sick time.. I hadn't been sick like that in over 2 years... Last time I got that sick I had Mono...

 

I use all means possible around my obsticle blocks.. I can't do too much yet but I know something has to give and I will find my break....

 

I appreciate everyones suggestions. I have thought of and tried many of them already... Its just little baby steps is all I can do.. Babys manage to concur with their little clumbsy attempts.. I can do the same thing... Its about faith, never giving up, prayer, contacts, persistence and openness..

[hotgurl]

I've been to a lot of interviews where the interviewer has let me come in after hours or on Saturday. My current job I am at I interview on a Saturday.

[jen_jen_heartbroken]

I've been to a lot of interviews where the interviewer has let me come in after hours or on Saturday. My current job I am at I interview on a Saturday.

 

Excellent point. Any employer truly interested in you will make the time to work around your schedule.... Hey, it's kind of like dating in that way.

 

Also, remember...the squeekiest wheel gets the grease. If you lay back quietly waiting for things to "fall into place", they won't.

 

My mom complained for years about not being able to advance or find a better paying job. I told her she was too complacent. And she was. She'd look for awhile (mostly looking....not make many calls, send FedExes, networking, pound on doors) and then she'd get discouraged and give up. Fast forward twenty years and she's amazed that with the same level of education I make three times as much as she does. Go figure.

[katie79]

If I were in your position, I would be pissed too!

 

That's terrible! A*holes!

 

Seriously, I have the same title/duties as you, and I was included in all company events, even more so now with my new job (of 4months).

The only time I felt left out was at my last (real) job becuase I worked in at the front desk in the LONELY LOBBY. People would come by for meetings and stuff, but I missed out on all the office social interaction. It was quite boring and quite depressing!

 

Maybe since you've been there almost 3 yrs, you should be at the comfort level enough to speak out. I don't mean get defensive the next time you get left out of an event, but maybe you could mention something like, Oh, such& such event is taking place, I never got an invitation. Of course, think of something better to say then that, I'm just using that as sort of an example of how to approach this.

 

If this continues and it really makes you miserable, look for another job. You don't want to feel like a ghost at your job, and your co-workers should have a brain enough to know isolating people for their job titles (not that being a receptionist is bad at all---I'm one!) is no way to make a team work and a company move forward. Also, do you have any friends or people you feel close with to question why this happens? Try to be more outgoing at work and see what happens. And hey, there's always another job!

Good luck & feel better!

[Safaria]

Property management sucks!!! I was in that field for over 25 years and I worked as a recept/admin when I started out then moved up the ladder to asst. property manager. Hated every minute of it. There's such rapid turnover and almost all the employees are miserable - get out while you can and say goodbye to property management.

 

It never changes or gets better! I got out and have never been happier!!!

[SmoochieFace]

Hmm. I get taken to lunch at least twice a week by my boss, but in between he's calling me incompetent, yelling, being condescending, bitching, moaning, just an all-out terror to work with. The trade off for being "in the inner circle" sometimes isn't worth it.

 

Man, I would look for another job pronto. No way I'd put up with that abuse.

[jen_jen_heartbroken]

Sometimes those kinds of bosses act that way because nobody bothered to stand up to it. I had a boss like that once. Didn't say anything for several months, until one day he started having a temper tantrum, and I called him a six year old. He looked at me funny and then started laughing. From then on, whenever he acted all bitchy, I'd say something sarcastic or make fun of him to point out what an ass he was being, and that pretty much made him calm down and changed his mood. I still do that in cases when office matters get too heated....sometimes it's just a matter of bringing a little levity into the situation.