Lazy Office Manager

[JOEYGREEN]

This is a long one, sorry - In our small office we have a new office manager/administrator. She is very nice but does hardly anything at all! She is always twiddling her thumbs or doing pointless tasks and is often late with minutes etc. She is always asking me what to do on certain matters and does nothing to help anyone when they are rushed off their feet. She is never here before 9.00am and therefore I have to open up and do the post etc which really should be her job. I even had to remind her yesterday to get some cordial because we had a big meeting and most people would want a cold drink instead of tea/coffee in this weather. Two other people in the office have also noticed but the people who should notice (Directors, etc) think she is fantastic, although they aren't in very often. There was a meeting on Monday where one Director was saying that his secretary wasn't in and he had to get a load of copying done but there wasn't anyone to help and he didn't like to ask me because he didn't know how busy I was even though my boss wasn't in and then went on to say that when he wasn't in his secretary wasn't that busy which implied that maybe I wasn't...although I was! This looked bad on me and the thing is that I was busy and the office manager was probably painting her nails!

I really want to say something to someone because this isn't on. I don't want to cause trouble or anything but if I'm looking bad then I want to get it put right. Do you think I should say something or leave it?

[nat_84]

When i read the first two lines i was like "oh my god, someone is writing about me!!!"....

But thankfully as u went on i realised i wasn't that bad.

I sit here and do nothing, simply because i have nothing to do because its a tiny office of like 3 people. I wish i was busier but there's nothing i can do.


I think you should stop doing her work for her for starters and leave all mail on her desk. If you are waiting on a letter, simply ask her if any post has arrived for you.

I dont see how secretary's/administrators get away with "painting nails" etc... at least i look like im doing something at my desk!

If i were you i'd have a quiet word with ur boss and tell him/her that there are others in the office that feel the same way.

Anyway, good luck! x

[JOEYGREEN]

Thanks nat_84. I have just spoken to our accounts person and they have agreed I should speak to my boss about it. He's not in for another 10 days though. The thing is with the post, I have to open it because we just can't wait until she strolls in at whatever time. I just had an enquiry about something which I thought was under her job description. She tried to fob it off onto someone else and they said to me on the phone it should be passed onto the office manager. I told her this and she said "maybe WE should do this..." We?! I just walked off and said "Well, I'll leave it with you then". She would have been quite happy to let me carry on doing it. The cheek.

[nat_84]

lol (sorry to laugh).

I would advise you not to get stressed about it. Soon enough i hope your directors realise what a lazy little Miss she really is.

Why do u have to open the post?? Still dont get it, if i were u i'd just pick up letters addressed to myself, open them and leave the rest on her desk, when the others realise that they arent recieving the post - they should hopefully realise that she's obviously the one to blame.

If you keep cleaning up her mess no one will ever notice it and you won't get any thanks either!

[THECORBYLOON]

Wait for yir boss to come in and let her open up. Once it's happened late a few times in a row, I'm sure the message will get to the ones who need to know and don't do anything outwith yir job description. She'll get the hint... or the sack.

[JOEYGREEN]

Thanks guys for your advice. I was actually late this morning due to my stupid car breaking down and I finally got in at 9:45. The Office Manager was late again (but not as late as me) and therefore the cleaner was stuck waiting outside until she got here at about 9.20. But because she was first in she did open up and do the post for once. She does seem to be a bit busier today though but she has asked me about five things this morning like I'm the manager! I'm going to keep an eye on things and speak to the Director on his return and another staff member is going to do the same with their line manager so hopefully things will get sorted.

Thanks once again.

[roxybaby]

There is a phrase - "today's favours - are tomorrows chores"
Let her do her own work and don't carry her. Stick to your Job Descrip. If she askes something of you tell her your too busy to assist that she will have to do it herself.

Just curious - Why didn't you apply for the job - a your quite clearly capable of doing it - better than her anyway. !!

Good luck - :-)

[JOEYGREEN]

Thanks Roxybaby. Well actually I was asked if I wanted to apply for the job but I only work part time as I have a young son. Also the job occasionally entails driving through the East Midlands which would not be convenient for me. If it was just my hours and I didn't have to drive anywhere I would have definitely of gone for it for the money!

[hundreddolla]

There's sod all you can do. If the bosses like her you're done for. If you go to one of said bosses and squeal, he'll only tell her you've snitched and she'll make your life a misery. You'll just have to put up with it. It's also no good doing the "but EVERYONE hates her" routine either, as no one will back you up when it comes down to it.

I'll bet that's not the answer you wanted to hear, but i've been in that situation before many times and the offending person has NEVER "got their's". I've just ended up leaving.

This isn't a film and you aren't Jerry MacGuire.

Put up or leave.

[JOEYGREEN]

It's funny that I've received your post today hundreddolla (you're not her are you?! lol) as we have had an office staff meeting just this morning to discuss this. We were all called into the office and everyone voiced their opinions about her. The Director said that he was quite surprised but is going to meet with her to review her job description. I think that reading through the JD himself really brought it home that things are getting left and the things that I am doing is her responsibility. He went through each of our job descriptions with us all and that really highlighted to everyone exactly what she should be doing. He also said that because each of us have line managers within the office we each know what is expected of us and what we should be doing but she hasn't really. I was so glad we had this meeting because every single person there had something to say. It wasn't a case of backing me up but a case of everyone feeling exactly the same way. We'll just have to see what happens from here... Thanks for your comments though.