Really had enough now

moneyistooshorttomention

getmore4less wrote: »

I would start a subtle work to rule.

Identify your main job tasks and prioritise them, do them well and try to increase the workload of really important stuff.

Everything else gets put off, slowly to start with, sorry I am just too busy I can do that later, going to the shops I will do that on the way in/home but do it in work time, as long as it does not impact the main stuff.

You still do the stuff but on your terms/timescales.

Ask about what insurance they have in place for these errands out of the office, how do you get to the shops/bank, if car it needs business insurance.

At which point...if OP has anything to do with customers....then the customers complain about having to deal with "a typical British worker...wont darn well do anything they promise" and vote with their feet and find another firm to patronise instead if possible. Boss gets p**d off and fires OP or goes out of business if its only a small firm and other people are acting the same and pulling the business down.

ThemeOne

Unfortunately there's no "right" to promotion. I found this out the hard way some years back when someone was brought in over my head, despite having filled in for the higher position for months anyway.

I would certainly try the work to rule approach. But try and make it more of a positive than a negative thing. Look at some of your duties and put forward some ideas about how they could be done better, and with time and/or money savings - all employers love to feel they're saving time or money.

If any of the suggestions get taken up then you'll justifiably be too busy to do any of the skivying stuff. And there's some truth in the fact that if you act like a skivvy that's how people will think of you.

At the same time start casting around for other jobs i.e. keep your options open.

I know how upsetting it is when work's going badly like this - we spend most of our week there after all, and I hope things start to get better.

paddedjohn

OP, if I was in your position I would get my head down and work work work. You are only young and have got over the biggest hurdle which is getting the job in the first place, slowly slowly catchy monkey.Its very possible that your hard work so far is not going unnoticed but there is always a pecking order and by knuckling down and showing your worth you should soon start rising up the ladder.

sweetilemon

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

What skills are necessary to do the "front desk" job you were promised?

Which of those skills do you have? More to the point, which of those skills are ones that you don't have?

If the front desk job involves a need for good spelling and accurate typing, then could you brush up on those points?

Does the front desk job require the skill of smiling sweetly at customers and either genuinely being helpful OR "appearing" to be helpful (whichever it is the boss actually wants)? Is that something you can do?

NB: I say "appearing" to be helpful, rather than ACTUALLY making a genuine attempt to be helpful for a reason. There are some employers (my last one for instance) where staff were actively discouraged from being genuinely helpful and were just supposed to pretend to be so...whilst actually being pretty obstructive:( I certainly never managed to acquire the skill of "being obstructive...whilst appearing to be helpful". I kept trying to actually BE helpful...

I don't get it? Why?! Very odd.

OP I agree with others, keep up the job hunt. Is it maybe your too good at the job you do they don't think they'll be able to get someone to juggle so many tasks?

As for the usual benefit arguement, theres no point as it just goes around in circles. I hate the "your lucky to have a job" debate as no job is worth all costs and employers are now jumping on that bandwagon to take advantage. The OP works hard for her money so should be paid what she is worth.

amiaspden

andygb wrote: »

I suggest that you read my post again, because if you do, then you will realise that I am also UNEMPLOYED. However, unlike you, I had worked worked for roughly 32 years, and I find myself in the situation, that my OH's wages (only around average wage), have to support the two of us - mortgage, council tax, all bills etc.
The difference is, that I receive NO benefits at all, so I think that you are very lucky in comparison.

Andygb, surely you're the lucky one, because you have a spouse to help and support you ...

SueC_2

I am intrigued by the way we seem to have created a society where there is an inverse snobbery around who is the worst off, and people now 'boast' about how poor they are.

Years ago we used to "keep up with the Jones's", but now we seem to prefer to keep down with them.

How did that happen?

sleepymans

I'd like to point out that in every office there are loads of "menial" but none-the-less vital little tasks to be done....and someone has to do them. Its not helpful to see them so negatively. The person who does them in my office is not regarded as a "skivvy"....more like the "office angel"!!
Its not unreasonable for the lowest paid member of staff to be assigned those tasks.


As for someone else getting the job that you feel you had been promised.....well, that's happened to pretty much all of us at some point.


You have learned a valuable life lesson that salesmen/managers/employers/friends/estate agents/m.p.'s/bankers....(well, people, really!) will tell you whatever they like to ensure they get the outcome they want! Its only your contract of employment and employment rights covered by legislation, that will count. Even then some may have to be fought for.


At your age and in these economic times, you aren't doing too badly...and as for working to rule or other possible "bright ideas" please remember that with less than 2 years service means you can be "let go" for the flimsiest of reasons with no appeal.


Show your boss your strength of character, ability and positive attitude whilst continuing to look for a better job.


As for being excluded from social gatherings...if you WANT to be included then how about organising something for everyone yourself? Then you can make it something affordable that you'd enjoy. If no one is interested at least you and your boss will know you tried. But not everyone in every workplace enjoys or wishes to join in the social side for many reasons....that's life.


Try not to make such heavy weather of a less than perfect job........you may well have to work until you are 70! Keep fingers crossed another 49 years aren't all menial jobs, which many many people will have to resort to.

andygb

SueC wrote: »

I am intrigued by the way we seem to have created a society where there is an inverse snobbery around who is the worst off, and people now 'boast' about how poor they are.

Years ago we used to "keep up with the Jones's", but now we seem to prefer to keep down with them.

How did that happen?

Just take a look around you at the number of unemployed, the ridiculous workfare schemes, and the reality of the jobs available.
The people at the bottom are being squeezed more and more, whilst the people at the top continue to give themselves more money.

andygb

amiaspden wrote: »

Andygb, surely you're the lucky one, because you have a spouse to help and support you ...

I would consider myself "lucky" if I was in a job.
Obviously the OP doesn't realise that you have to work your way up the ladder, and that nothing is certain in this life.

Dunroamin

£14.5k for a non graduate of 21 is a decent salary and it's not your employer's fault that you have so many responsibilities so young. Are you getting all the child related benefits that you're eligible for and does your partner work? Have you looked at other boards on here for advice on managing your money and budgeting better?

Regarding the job and looking for another one - what qualifications and experience do you have and are you looking to improve them; how are you illustrating to your emplyer that you're worth more and deserve promotion?

There's no point festering about promises that you feel you were made earler, you need to do the best you can to improve your current situation.