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geminigirl
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« Reply #30 on: August 05, 2009, 11:34:54 am » |
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Gee - that place and your boss is just plain weird. As you quite rightly say, how can someone to whom you don't report and who doesn't know you conduct a review of your work? Will your boss speak to his boss ie the reviewer to discuss this first? If that's the case, why don't they conduct it together so at least your idiot boss gets some idea of how to conduct a secretarial review??  And yes, that smirk would've made me want to give him a slap (and I'm not a violent person!). My former employers, in the three years I was there, NEVER conducted a review of my work, nor that of my predecessor... in fact, my end-of-probation review happened when I was on holiday. Oddly, though, they were extremely hot on everyone else having their appraisals. |
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Jackie G
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« Reply #31 on: August 05, 2009, 01:21:01 pm » |
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Well, it's still an opportunity to take and use to your advantage. Find out more about what you think you should be aware of within the company and don't see it as all negative.
Your boss may not be sure how to tell you about a possible promotion for him (if he's taking you with him), especially since you are new and it can take some time to build up an 'easy' working relationship. However, if he has concerns about whatever it is for him, he may not be able to tell you that because he hasn't got anything concrete to share...
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gee4
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« Reply #32 on: August 05, 2009, 02:44:30 pm » |
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Gem I have never worked with such numpties! Not sure about whalloping him but a wake up call in etiquette and manners might help. Thanks, you made my day!
Jackie I'm sure whatever is on the cards I will know eventually, but I feel it's manners to at least inform your PA that a) a mid year review is due and b) who will be conducting it. There is no excuse not to pass on information that's relevant to that individual.
As I said before it is not my place to ask apart from the fact my boss is unapproachable and dismissive. I'm still new to the company so if such matters are not communicated to me then shame on this company for being so poor in that regard.
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msmarieh
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« Reply #33 on: August 05, 2009, 02:54:42 pm » |
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As I said before it is not my place to ask apart from the fact my boss is unapproachable and dismissive. I'm still new to the company so if such matters are not communicated to me then shame on this company for being so poor in that regard.
Gee, when it comes to workplace changes and their impact on YOUR job, it is MOST DEFINITELY your place to ask!!! |
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gee4
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« Reply #34 on: August 05, 2009, 03:09:43 pm » |
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Marie,
Prior to being made redundant from my previous company, I made inquiries if my job was safe because things had changed. I was iformed it was. Also in my previous company there was no such thing as a review but I asked why and was told it "was not the culture" to put admins through that process.
Management don't/won't/can't be honest to your face. Perhaps other parts of the UK/US are different but most times when you inquire about these things, you hit a brick wall!
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gee4
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« Reply #35 on: August 05, 2009, 03:12:02 pm » |
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Just to add to my note above.......I am not currently aware of any changes here until I am informed! Bear in mind it was only by chance that I was told of my boss applying for a promotion.
For the time being, it is none of my business until I am informed, but there is no reason not to inform me of the review process.
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peaches2160
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« Reply #36 on: August 06, 2009, 12:48:22 am » |
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Gee - I think there is more going on behind the scenes than you know, and may not be privy to reasons unbeknownst to you at this time. When you do have your review, be positive. After all, it is a reflection on you and the impression you make on the next level boss. You may want to include your accomplishemnts. However, if you do bring up the negatives, include suggestions for improvement as well.
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sparkles_95130
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« Reply #37 on: August 06, 2009, 07:50:06 am » |
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We are problem solvers and if, as in this case, it's communication --we need to help solve it. Don't wait to be informed. This is about your manager, this is about your job, your future, this is about you --yes it is your business. Schedule a sitdown meeting with your boss. I consider it part of my job to be proactive in finding out information.
You could start with minor day-to-day items to be covered and then share, I see you've been involved in interviewing (after all it's right on his calendar) is there anything I can do to help? How is that going? Put on your most sincere, warm, interested, helpful face. Chat him up. Then ask, how would any changes impact me? It's a very fair question. If he says he doesn't know or puts you off, ask how we (both of you) can find out and you'll research it for him. This discussion could lead into...
Oh, you mentioned your boss will be doing my review --how does that work? Ask questions but keep it conversational. Your boss is sure to be involved in your review in some way. In a former position it was part of my job to do reviews on all the admins in our regional offices. We got written input from peers, other depts, co-workers, mgrs and pretty much anyone who worked closed with the admin. Of course in this case there was also a sitdown mtg with the direct mgr the admin supported. This is how all reviews are done at my current company (though mostly by their own mgr).
As far as the grapevine, sounds like you need to work a bit at getting connected: walk-up and include yourself in groups, be interested in them personally, extra warm and freindly, linger at desks if you can, start a monthly admin team mtg or at least a meet/greet, when someone says something like "typical" and gives you an opening, take it. Say something like why, what have you heard? This isn't gossip if it's work related, it's networking.
You might be suprised, opening up the lines of communication could lead to an overall improvement to your job and happiness in it. Here's hoping!
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gee4
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« Reply #38 on: August 11, 2009, 08:31:55 am » |
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Well it seems a briefing today will reveal some structural changes. Seems bossie is getting new role/title within the department regardless of any other job vacancy - bizarre.
Sparkles - for info the "interview" was not mentioned as such on bosses calendar - it was cleverly disguised. I found out from others, not from his calendar. As for "walking up and including myself in groups".....the secretaries here are spread across 3 buildings amongst some 500 people so we don't hang about at water coolers chatting.
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movinonup
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« Reply #39 on: August 19, 2009, 09:28:18 pm » |
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Gee, I just read this entire thread, but it doesn't appear to be over....what, pray tell, were the announced structural changes, and how did they affect your job?  |
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gee4
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« Reply #40 on: August 20, 2009, 08:07:49 am » |
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Well I missed the team brief on Monday due to other last minute requests.
Nothing has changed as far I as I have been told. The whole department is being restructured and my boss seems to be taking on a new "job title" regardless of the other vacancy he has applied for.
I have lost interest to be honest and have come to realise he is very self-sufficient no matter how hard I try to sit down and talk through his diary and travel needs every week - the job is limited and that isn't going to change.
I am informed however I will be having a "chat" with my boss's boss instead of a mid-term review since I haven't been here a full year yet. I guess you can't have a mid-year review to discuss year end targets and objectives when none have been set.
I'm still applying for other jobs and am considering contract or even temp work again, for the sake of being busy and to keep my brain active. It's soul destroying to come to work every day and have little to do. I don't understand how a company can pay someone to do that.
I am on holiday soon and cannot wait for the break.
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geminigirl
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« Reply #41 on: August 20, 2009, 10:47:57 am » |
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I have lost interest to be honest and have come to realise he is very self-sufficient no matter how hard I try to sit down and talk through his diary and travel needs every week - the job is limited and that isn't going to change.
I sympathise, Gee. It is SO hard to remain interested when you're treated as a cipher.
I'm still applying for other jobs and am considering contract or even temp work again, for the sake of being busy and to keep my brain active. It's soul destroying to come to work every day and have little to do. I don't understand how a company can pay someone to do that.
Ah - now that would be my last job! I was there just over three years and I think 2 years of that was thinking up things to keep myself busy and sane. But my bosses just seemed content that I was there to react to their every needs - even to being glad when I was back from holiday because they wouldn't have to make their own coffee (honest, I heard one of them say that ...)
I am on holiday soon and cannot wait for the break.
Enjoy! You deserve it and do try and switch off.
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gee4
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« Reply #42 on: August 20, 2009, 12:45:12 pm » |
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Had a late tea break this morning with my colleague who is also concerned. Her boss is due to retire and so that kinda leaves us both in a strange situation.
With all the changes going on, other bosses who are moving to new roles are taking their secretaries with them, which makes sense. To be honest there's nowhere for me to move to that I feel I would be happy in so I shall keep on job hunting once I return from holiday.
Is it Friday yet? I'm freezing here!
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suecsi
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« Reply #43 on: August 24, 2009, 10:35:49 am » |
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gee4 don't know if its the same where you are, but I'm currently in a similar situation to geminigirl, as you know I started the 'most of my job has been outsourced' thread. I have been applying for the odd job here and there and was due to meet a recruitment consultant last Thursday morning for coffee so that she could get a feel of me before sending in my CV. Its not a big agency, rather an independent, and I got this role through a similar recruiter. She was also seeing two other possibles that day. I got a call Thursday morning as I am literally standing there in my undies, blow drying my hair  to say that the company had advertised with another agency (which she was unaware of), got people in for interviews Monday-Wednesday, and had found two they liked, so don't bother sending your ladies in. Needless to say the recruiter wasn't happy as she had to stand down three prospective interviews. I considered meeting up with her anyway for a chat, but most of her roles are in Central London and I don't want to commute unless I have to (i.e. I have no job at all). The role she had mentioned was pretty local. The issue I am coming across is that even if I was on a 'normal' notice period of 1 month, there are so many good staff out there out of work, that people can interview very quickly and start immediately. So I am sitting tight for the moment and seeing what new boss will be like later in the year. Old boss is being very nice to me at the moment but after a few issues with him, I'm suspicious ...... |
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gee4
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« Reply #44 on: September 28, 2009, 04:20:10 pm » |
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A brief update...
Firstly, the deadline for mid year reviews was last Friday and I didn't have one. That I can accept given I have not yet completed a full year on a permanent contract.
As for my boss, well he was unsuccessful in his promotion, so for now I guess things stay as they were.
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