Being Put in My "Place"

[bellajgw]

So if you look back at some of my other posts you'll see that I've been gearing up for my annual review and possible promotion.  I left no-so-subtle hints as well as blatant requests that I would like them to hire a receptionist so that I can finally focus on the big, important, deeply involved projects that I have going on right now.  These projects are why I enjoy coming in each day, they challenge me.  The other stuff I could care less about.  

So they love me, they went on and on in my review about how fabulous I am, how great I'm doing, how much they love having me here....then despite the fact that I don't make even close to the average for someone in my position, despite the fact that they have almost doubled in the amount of business they are doing, despite the fact that my workload has almost tripled, I got a 4% raise and told that they will not hire a receptionist and if my big projects are getting in the way of my receptionist duties that I can just stop working on the big projects.

I'm the office administrator.  I was told when I was hired that my position was approximately 20% receptionist duties, also I was told that there was enormous room for growth.

I have seen nothing.  Now more than ever I am being disrespected, referred to by staff to clients as the "receptionist" and am quite upset.  I don't look forward to anything about my job anymore.  I come in to work and go through the motions. I have no more drive.  

Needless to say I am searching for a new job.  I just can't go on working somewhere that they don't appreciate me.  In the meantime I'm just trying to get by, not get in trouble, do the minimum, and get out without burning too many bridges.

Any advice or uplifting success stories would be really helpful right now.  Please?

[spitfire78]

I'm afraid I don't have any uplifting success stories.  And my only advice is to do exactly what you are doing -  keep your head high, continue to do the job to the best of your ability, and look for a way out.  

I don't understand why companies insist on "pigeonholing" people.  But I've seen it time and time again.  

So, keep smiling, leave with good feelings all around, and come here to vent when you need to!!!!

[peaches2160]

Spitfire - good advice.  When the fun and challenge go out of the job, it is time to look elsewhere, either within the company, or outside.

[Katie G]

So, essentially, you're being "demoted" for doing an exemplary job.  Talk about a slap in the face!

If you find my post "Getting off cheap" from a month or so ago, this situation is EXACTLY what I was talking about.  Despite what was said at your review -- they don't "love" you, they love getting upper level work out of you for a lower position price.  

Clearly they don't appreciate what you bring to the job, so yes, it's time to find something else.  

Edited by didface on 16/07/08 03:55 PM.

[gee4]

I read this a few times before posting and it seems to me you are cheap labour.

They give you a good pay rise in the hope you will continue to do a good job yet still be referred to as the Receptionist.

Well I agree with the others, if they cannot recognise you and redefine your role and title, then move on to where you will be appreciated.  Can I also say, you probably should not be applying for receptionist positions if you have been carrying out more senior duties.  This is a big mistake when applying for a new job.  

My advice would be to tweak your CV accordingly and not use the title Receptionist.  Yes you can refer to the fact you carried out receptionist duties on a rotational basis, but primarily your job was Office Administrator.

I feel for you.  It seems to be the more you take on and do well, the less you are appreciated.

[mlm668]

I have to agree with has already been said - its definately time to move on.  

I've found over the years that regardless of what the company says your title is, to the general public (and most others in business) if you work the front desk, you're the receptionist and if you do admin work of any kind in an office, you're the secretary.  (I have a friend who is a truck driver and refers to the lady in his office as the secretary when I know good and well she does much, much more.) Its not necessarily meant to be an insult, its just a general lack of understanding.  So don't take it to personally.  I hear office administrator and I think office manager - but I'm an admin and know the terminology a little better.  Others however have no clue what an office administrator is and to keep it simple your co-workers are relying on more commonly understood descriptions.  Not right and no excuse, but a possible explanation for that gaffe.

A word of advice - stay away from any job that involves front desk work if you don't want to be a receptionist.  I've found that there is no such thing as doing receptionist duties "part time" when you're at the front desk.  If you're at that desk, you're the receptionist all day long regardless of whatever else you do.  And if you do it well as well as do the other duties well, they aren't going to hire someone else to do the receptionist work.  Why should they when you're doing so well at both jobs.  

Some can do that job well and love doing it - I personally despise it.  If I see anything in a job description that resembles receptionist duties, I run the other direction. I won't even consider a job where I answer phones calls for anyone other than myself.  When I job hunt, those jobs are in the "must be desperate and hungry to apply" category.

Beef up your resume, focusing on the big projects you've been contributing to.  If your actual job title is Office Administrator, use it.  And if that is the case, you could probably get away with leaving the receptionist duties off completely.  At the most, don't give them more than a phrase. And keep your head up.  Your situation is not at all uncommon.  It may take a little time, but I'm sure you can find something somewhere you'll be appreciated much, much more (and actually see it in your compensation).


Michelle

[raindance]

I also feel for you.

I've spent a bit of time reading and re-reading your post and unpicking the details.

It is not particularly relevant that you enjoy your projects and that they motivate you, although it is good that you have some interesting and enjoyable things to do.  What is relevant is whether they are necessary to achieve the company's objectives.  It the projects are necessary, then you should be allocated sufficient time to complete them in the required time frame.

Forgive me for being so blunt, but your company sounds as though it has lost the plot, and they have combined two posts into one.  The receptionist post is extremely important - though generally not very well paid - in any organisation as that post holder is the face and voice of the company.  An office administrator is vital in keeping things running smoothly. My company's office administrator does provide reception cover but only for an hour a day out of a working week of thirty five hours.  It is only in an emergency that she is required to provide more cover and then the duties are shared.  If our receptionist is on annual leave or extended sick leave (more than one day) then we hire an interim worker.

I would try to keep smiling and secretly brush up my CV and start looking for another job.