Is It Old Fashioned That I Am The Tea Maker?

[Kutiepie123]

I work in a small family run office doing admin/reception work. I have to make tea & coffee 4 times a day for everyone(8 of them have hot drinks) plus any visitors. Every morning I am greeted with a sink full of cups and dishes(I leave earlier so clean up before I leave but no one else bothers). Some of my colleagues treat me like I am just their little slave and just the tea maker! I would like to suggest a rota for drinks and washing up etc. I also have to empty all the bins once a week and the kitchen bin every day so maybe I could suggest we do our own bins as and when needed. There is the odd time when one of them will empty the kitchen bin but in general its my job. I knew about the tea making at the interview but the bin part was thrown on me after my first week. Is it unreasonable to suggest a rota? I have been there a year now and honestly I feel totally under valued and am thinking of moving on.

[jennyjoan]

move on

[tonyav]

I feel totally under valued and am thinking of moving on.


Doubt very much if it will change very much, I'd move on if I were you.

[Prudie]

Have you made your feelings known? Move on if you're OK with that but at least give them the chance to change things. Having said that I expect there are still 1000s of lower grade staff making teas and coffees for others up and down the country.

[Buenchico]

I can't see much wrong with being expected to make the tea.

When I worked at a railway station it was always the most senior person on the shift who was expected to make the tea (and wash the mugs). On most shifts that would be the duty supervisor (i.e. me!) who took on the task but if there was a manager on the site they'd usually brew up for everyone instead.

The company's managing director lived in the town, so he often passed through the station. Whenever he'd got the time to do so, before his train departed, he'd make tea for everyone.

[jennyjoan]

I do think I would be miffed coming into dishes in the morning.

[New Judge]

In what capacity are you employed?

[pastafreak]

To me it sounds like a rather dated way to do things. In a small company it seems only right that all members of staff should contribute. Do you have staff meetings? Could you bring it up then? At least the cleaning of mess left by others after you leave...thats just wrong in my book.

[jennyjoan]

I surmise in a "Family Run Office" ' kutiepie is being taken for granted

[Sqad]

The junior makes the tea as his/her time is less valuable.
For the senior to make the tea is a waste of valuable time.

I suppose times have changed.

[jourdain2]

Agree with sqad. You are, it seems, the office junior, therefore you get all these jobs - someone has to do them. Probably time for you to reassess and apply for the next stage up, but most office workers start as you have done. It's pretty normal for last one in to get the grotty jobs.

I am reminded of a girl at school who wanted to be a hairdresser. When it came to work experience fortnight we fixed her up in a salon -- she lasted 1 day before she was returned to school, because she spent the time sweeping up the floor and making cups of tea for the clients and objected to that. You have to start somewhere and go with what is expected. Hope this helps- you've probably served your apprenticeship by now.

[Tilly2]

Just stop doing it. See what happens.

[davegosling]

What does it say in your job description?

[Kutiepie123]

Im not last one in. I even make drinks for the apprentice. They are in their 20's (apart from managers)and I am 52 I have to cart heavy files about and they all sit on their ***. Then i get "Is it time for a cuppa?" ☹

[jennyjoan]

what the heck ' "retire at once"

[albaqwerty]

make their tea in their dirty mugs and serve it to them.

[Kutiepie123]

Im not included in any meetings.

[tonyav]

Time to move on, Kutiepie.

[Kutiepie123]

Yeah. I love doing reception. Think I will start looking. Thanks for your answers

[tonyav]

Best of luck with your search, Kutiepie.
I'm sure you'll find something better.

[jennyjoan]

well if you are good at reception, you should get a job pretty quick. good luck cutiepie, like your username LOL ' think I will steal it when you get your next job LOL