Horrible P.A

[Notveryhappy]

I have been in my new job for three weeks and i'm just getting used to the way things are working.

A few days ago, the Directors' P.A came downstairs and had a go at me due to some post being in the wrong folder. The way she did it was out of order as there were people there. I admitted i was wrong, but she was a bit harsh.

A bit later on, she came down again and had another go at me because she thought i was taking too long to complete a task, but the task was difficult and time consuming. She was repeating the same question, 'are you struggling, why is it taking so long?' I got a bit upset and started to cry on Reception (Puff, i know) and she still carried on asking me. Then when i said in a more raised voice, 'no, i'm not struggling, it's just time consuming', she said i had an attitude problem.
I couldn't talk at this point as i was so upset and felt really incompetent and stupid. A visitor then came in and i couldn't answer his questions as i was so upset. Unprofessional in my opinion!!!

Today, there is a meeting and and two of the people were late. So I asked him to sign the visitors book and to take a seat. I told the P.A, he was here and she said ok, carry on with what you're doing and i'll sort it. When i came back to my desk, she had a go at me for not making him a drink, even though she said she's sort it and told me to carry on with what i was doing.

I can't win, i didn't want to complain, because I haven't been here long and they may sack me.
Any advice would be good on what to do next.

[Pippa68]

Nigel Lawson
Nigel Harman

Any more?

We are only making plans for Nigel (woooooooo)

[rabbitygirl]

Once had a manager who turned on me virtually overnight, to the bafflement of colleagues. I bore his constant attacks (including 'you were 10 seconds late this morning, I set my watch especially to check') until the day I could feel myself starting to crumble at my desk. I went to the ladies and fell apart and the dept sec sent me home and went to the manager and told him to back off or else.

I returned after a couple of hours of alarming sobbing and he called me in to his office. He was completely lost as to why I had had such a reaction (I was a bit shocked myself) and he kept well away for a while.

I had had a quiet word with HR about him after colleagues said they would back me up and as I was his only female staff member they told him he was on dodgy ground.

Eventually he left. The new manager gave me a lousy assessment 4 weeks after she started and I quit, refusing to sign it. My customers and reps asked me to stay, they asked her to make me, but we barely spoke during my notice. Walking out on the last day, wined and dined, laden with gifts and flowers, her final words to me were asking me to sign that flippin form.

Every job I've had there is one who feels the need to give you misery (and others) and I think half of them dont know they are a pain. For some it is the only way they can assert themselves.

[Pippa68]

whiff mentioned the monotonal Mansell, Oct.

James, huh? James Hunt...

[Octavius]

Do I get double points for mentioning Nigel James Yacht Charter in Brentford??

[Pippa68]

You will have to ask whiff, as he is a famous moderator.

I would give you one if I could.

[Pippa68]

Sorry.... *some*

Ahem.

[cheries]

*sniggers*

[Theland]

Download, copy and print off an article or two on how a good manager leads from the front, not pushes and controls you from the back, and leave them lying around where thay will be found by Frau Hitler.
If she sees them and asks about them, tell her you are studying to be a professional like her.

[Notveryhappy]

LOL Theland

I like your style

Id love to do that if i could get away with it :-)

[eyeshade]

Dawny 0311 very good! I liked that reply. I worked for a very clever chap who always came back with a question and it could be quite intimidating but very effective especially if bullying is being carried on and other people are around. Sound advise for the newbee.