Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
WWYD? Work Related LONG
I need some advice on a work issue that has slowly been arising.
When I started with this company Dec. 10' I started as the receptionist. I worked hard, started/leading new projects, all while doing my main job.
The company expanded and hired someone to replace me as the receptionist, they gave me a cube and new responsibilities.
My bosses don't give too much feedback but I make sure to have monthly meetings with them to know where I stand what I can do improve etc...
From my understanding everything has been working out just fine. They are very satisfied with my production as well as initiative.
Enter new receptionist. She was extremely friendly when she first got hired. She had a great personality and good humor. I showed her the ropes, gave her cheat sheets, and basically the cliff notes how to make everything run smoothly while being able to do more work. She worked extremely hard and it was welcomed because our other co-workers are lazy.
We've been short staffed for awhile so when our "market" came up, since I had been here the longest they wanted me to stay and make sure everything in the office ran smoothly. They sent receptionist to the market.
Ever since she came back, the office has been filled with tension and the cold shoulder from her. For example: I asked her what the status was on some files and she responded with "You're not my boss" WTF... I wasn't even implying I was... She wouldn't speak to me for a week. I finally was able to talk to her and even that was like pulling teeth.
Fast Forward a couple of months: She has since been promoted. (This is good and it was expected) since I had been as well. I was also thrilled because I was no longer the back up whenever she called out/etc... Since then I've noticed that she's been very buddy-buddy with our bosses. Our bosses have also been giving me some responsibilities that she should have had to cover since being the lowest on the totem pole. There has been secret meetings and general ass kissing. There has also been some not so nice things said about me but since it didn't match up to what I was producing it was basically disregarded. I'm just afraid this is the tip of the iceberg and ignoring it would be detrimental to my job.
My question... How can I address my bosses without sounding like a petulant child?
Should I even address them?
How could I be more assertive in this situation.
I feel like my work, productivity, and basic dedication to this job speaks for itself but I don't think that's case here.
Sorry it's so long but I've been VERY frustrated.
Re: WWYD? Work Related LONG
First off, I think most of what you posted is coming from more of an emotional place rather than the professional reality of how your bosses view you/your work performance. You might be overthinking things a little, and I should hope that anything said from her wouldn't impact your bosses views on your professional demeanor and dedication to your job.
My question... How can I address my bosses without sounding like a petulant child? If you want to address it, I would ask to come in for a chat and explain that since she has returned you felt that things were a little off and wanted to ask if he/she also felt that way. If they ask for more details, you can go further about how she was snippy and if you think she just had a bad day or whatever.
Should I even address them? I personally don't in situations like this, but if it would make you feel more comfortable then I wouldn't say NOT to.
How could I be more assertive in this situation. you just have to woman UP and do it; be calm and relaxed when you go and make sure your thoughts are at least put together about how it's affecting your work morale and why it was important to bring it up.
I feel like my work, productivity, and basic dedication to this job speaks for itself but I don't think that's case here.
Sorry it's so long but I've been VERY frustrated. don't be sorry, we are here to listen and help! Rant away, my friend!
If you ignore it, if something does happen then no one can say, "Well, Stellar, you never said anything so tough."
I would talk to your supervisor one on one and say, "This is how I'm feeling, and I could be totally off base but I just need to get it off of my chest because it's really been bothering me." That way, you're not accusing her or the bosses of anything, and you will have stated your concern.
ETA: Used your real name.. oops!
It sounds like she may be trying to undermine your credibility in order for her to move up faster than you.
As much as I wish it were true, your productivity on its own will not get you ahead. You need to market yourself to the higher ups, which is what she is likely doing. No one is going to recognize your efforts if you never make it known how much you do. Instead they will take it for granted and they'll be happy that you never speak up and make them think twice about what you want/need.
I would write a list of things that you would like to discuss with your boss, and have your own secret meeting. You could start off talking about how much you like the job you were promoted to and ask what they will be looking for next time a promotion opens up. Communicate that you are dedicated and looking to keep moving up within the company. Then, you might want to throw in that you're still doing tasks that should be handled by the other girl and you want to be freed up from those in order to do an even better job at the tasks you are actually supposed to be doing.
Good luck!
Thank you ladies for listening!
OP - I absolutely think this comes from my emotional side. I've been bottling this up for awhile and it's finally coming to a head. I think your advice on saying calm and getting my thoughts together before speaking to her couldn't be more head on. I NEED to do this.
MN- You addressed my BIGGEST fear. I already know my ability to put my work out there needs to be improved. Thanks for the tip and hopefully whenever I get all my thoughts together on this mess and can sound like the professional I know I am I'll be able to make this meeting happen. I love the idea of going in there to discuss moving up because in reality, that's what I want. All the other stupid office politics are merely a thorn in my side.
That's a good idea to approach it like MN suggests, with just having a sense of general direction of where you are and what type of promotions you would like to be considered. Keep the focus on you and talking up your good points, which I know isn't always easy to do.
I'm not the best at initiating those type of discussions but we have yearly performance reviews that we have to do which gives us the opportunity to address those concerns. I'm not sure if your work does that on a set schedule but if not then definitely have this type of chat if you think you need to be more aggressive in putting your work expectations out there for your superiors.