job dilemma

[Testicles2u]

I have been working in the public sector since sep 1st. From my interview i was told i would be doing specific tasks, but ever since I have started here, I have done just basic admin, which i dont mind as much. I realised that I could be missing out on other job oppurtunities, so started to look for other roles. But I have been caught few times looking at job sites while on lunch. My manager called me and asked if i was looking for work. I was honest and said I was but not to say that I dont like working here, its just for long term. So she has been aware it and has given me chance to carry on and think it over.

How ever this was a few weeks ago. From yesterday I have been asked to work on reception which is soooo busy. Really made me moody and depressed as i cant stand it, most of all doing the phone work, as I lack confidence in as I stammer. The seniors noticed my behaviour as I told the receptionists and colleagues that I did not enjoy it. My manager called me in today and said that she noticed that I did not like being on frontline and asked me what is my next step. She said that after she spoke to "Partners", I have to do reception from time to time. She said that on the up coming weeks there will be training, and they are hesitant to pay for the training for me since I am already looking for work elsware and not liking reception.

They want to get rid of me and told me that you need to decide and tell us mon morning. I am going to say that I will do reception as loing as I dont want to answer phone calls, but I dont think they will agree.

I am stuck. She said that i am in my trial period and can have a weeks notice to bugger off.

What shall I do ? I have been ringing round for temp roles in previous companies just in case.

Please help :( I am aware that getting a job (perm) is soo hard.

:((

[China Doll]

I'd suck it up and do the training for reception and keep the job, as you say, the job market is not very good at the moment. It's not really good enough not to take calls when you are on receptions so perhaps you will have to do some exercises for your stammer so that don't feel so stressed by it.

[cathfromsaron]

first, did they outline the reception duties at the interview?
do they know you stammer? have you actually shown any enthusiasm or just looked bored? do you like anything about it there?

write a list and see if you want to stay (other than for the money)

if you DO then say so ... but explain that your speech is holding you back!

[Testicles2u]

Actually, when i was offered the role, i never really got a job specification. This is the first job i have had that didn't come with a job spec. My manager said that the reception element was discussed at the interview - it totally slipped my mind as i never had a job spec.

I am the only guy (young guy) working amongst admin and secretaries who are all 45+. I feel I will always be the odd one out and prefer working with both sexes preferably younger to be on their "level", if you know what i mean. Currently, I feel very out of place, plus the fact that in a place like this you need to have a lot of work on hand to get you through the day. I have worked in large companies with open plan settings, if you hadn't have much work, you can still pass the time due to the environment. Here, if you have no work, its boring and depressing. The work is very dry, not even what I was told at the interview. I have been doing just admin. At times i feel like people have soo much expectations from my as i am the only guy there. They act as if i am superman and can solve all problems etc.

I am thinking of telling them Mon morning, that I am willing to do reception when required, only if some else answers the phones (3 people work on reception), then I will mention stammer.

If that doesn't work, then....i dont know :(

[Mosaic]

I suggest you use this weekend to join Unison, who still have major clout in the public sector. Make an appt in your own time to speak with your union rep.
And learn a lesson about being diplomatic. Strictly, you shoudln't use a pub sector computer for personal use - people on Ab have been grassed for access on work computer - it doesn't matter what others do, think only about yourself and how you look to your boss.

You can be given notice much more readily than a well-established worker but shouldn't be given tasks that are humiliating - putting a stammerer on reception seems to count as that.

It sems to me like you're being railroaded but you're working in a sectro where people might be able to help you, so ask for the union help yoou need.

[Testicles2u]

i don't stammer severely, but when i am on the phone its a nightmare, telephone is always a nightmare for any stammerer whether minor or severe.

I am going to see if I can get by not answering the phones when in reception. If not, then that is a point to consider - why keep a stammerer on a job that involves using the phone ? Its bloody painful :(

[Eve]

If public sector and recent then is it a fixed term position, casual etc...

Is there a workplace support function you could have a chat with or HR? Make the point that speaking on the telephone is difficult - did you raise it in interview if reception was mentioned or on any forms filled in for the job?

It might be difficult for them to help you unless you are open and honest and don't come across as having a bit of an attitude or being a moaner, especially as you only see it as a gap filling role. Even if it's not the case, if you aren't happy it might come across as such. Also look at other ways of making your job happier - the job market out there is not pretty so hold on to a good job, especially public sector, as other oportunities may come up internally or in similar places. Admin jobs don't tend to be very exciting by definition but if that's the only thing available for you and you need the money then, harsh as it sounds, you don't have much choice in the current climate.

Don't write off the others in the office just because they're female, older etc... have you tried to get chatting to them? You don't need to be the same as them to fit in. If you make more of an effort you might be surprised. A lot of people have crappy jobs they don't enjoy much, don't pay well etc... but that's a fact of life. Often the people can make a big difference.

A fresh, positive attitude, talking and addressing issues and being open to ways of moving forward (rather than seeming sulky and demanding) could ensure you a job in the meantime and a possible route into other opportunities at your current place or elsewhere (and a good reference!).

[nungate]

I was telephonist for years and the trick is to relax. Remember no one at the other end of the phone can see you. Keep calm and before you answer the phone, smile to yourself, breathe in and answer with the usual guff Good morning etc. The person on the other end of the line is usually seeking your help and you are the one who is going to help them, so they are in general on your side (of course there is the odd a******e out there who no matter what you do, is going to be stroppy, the trick here is to be nice - hold the phone from your ear if they start shouting and if they get abusive pull the plug as it were - you are not there to be abused! In general though folk will be nice, and to them you are the company/public body they are looking for. Please don't give up your job just now it is a bad time for everyone, just stick it out and remember you have friends here on this site to help and advise and support you. Like I said I was a telephonist for donkey's years and I'm frequently on this site so anything else you want to know about being a telephonist please post a message and you'll have an answer. Just don't let the turkeys get you down!

[China Doll]

Hang on... on the one hand you say that you find working reception stressful and that you're expected to be superman and that you have too many expectations and on the other you say there's not enough work and you get bored. I'm afraid I too would have big concerns if I were your manager, you sound like you want to cherry pick what it is what you want to do and unfortuately that's just not how it works. You need to have a long think about your future but I can see your managers point of view.

[Testicles2u]

I'm not cherry picking. Since I am the only guy who work here, people want me to fix pc's, printers and scanners and other technical stuff when required. I don't mind doing minor things but people have to high expectations and think i can do anything and everything, since i am guy. The other day there was a tutorial set up for trainee doc and nurses in the staff room (i work in a small clinic), they having trouble connecting the camcorder to a projector, so they called me, I had no luck as its actually different when connecting camcorder to projector as opposed to connecting a camcorder at home to the TV. People expect you know everything. My manager is going round telling people i am an expert at almost everything in the office.

However, this is just a minor issue, if cant do it, i cant do it, tough...

If i go to my manager and say i have no work, most likely she will put me downstairs in reception. How can I go on and pretend I have enough work to carry one ? OK, if i am not doing what I am supposed to be doing, I dont mind the admin, I know its boring, I dont care, but there is not enough of the admin work ? I am sharing it with someone, so i cant nick her tasks can I ?

If everything fails - then going back as a temporary contractor again. I already discussed this with my previous agency who have put me forward for 2 rules both started week after next. This is all for backup.

These docs (Partners) and nurses at the clinic should know how difficult it is for someone who stammers going on the phone for gods sake....?

[Testicles2u]

I mean to say - "forward for 2 ROLES both started week after next. This is all for backup."

[Eve]

Did you tell them you had a stammer at interview or since? If they recruited someone and referred to reception duties at interview they may feel a little aggrieved now it your issues with reception work weren't brought up earlier especially as it sounds like they need someone who can cover reception duties.

I can see their reluctance to train you etc... if you have said you aren't happy and are looking for other jobs.

Sounds like the best solution for both parties may well be you moving on to something new where you're happier and they can get someone more suitable for them who will work happily and want to stay. In the meantime though a good reference is beneficial so see if you can talk to them and come to some kind of solution which works for you all. Your attitude will count for a lot here so be open to reasonable suggestions.

[grasscarp]

I want to say that your written English is excellent. All correctly spelt and punctuated. You are definitely an asset to an office and if things don't work out with this employment you should be able to find other work. Good luck with whatever happens next.

[bednobs]

have to say i agree with the others - from the way it comes across the role is not right for you and they are thinking about giving you the push anyway, and the lack of being able to do reception will be just the excuse they need. If you don't lik the job, and they don't like you, it seems your best option is to leave