When they dump it all on you....

Hi guys, wanted to get your opinions before I actually talked to my boss about this....
It seems lately I've been getting a few unwanted jobs dumped on me, and I don't really appreciate it. They're menial (and I know how this makes me sound), and quite frankly more suited to the inexperienced 20-year-old kid next to me. However, I do the work and don't really complain.
As of late, we had been having trouble with our phone service, and instead of solving the problem, the phone people gave me more lines to answer (I don't know whose Idea this was...). So, now I have more piles of work to do, the phone goes crazy nonstop, and to boot I have work which takes me away from my desk, which seems like a nice break, but instead is causing me a repetitive stress injury in my hand, and it's starting to really hurt.
I've been composing a letter to my boss (it's hard to get her to stand still long enough to talk to her) asking to be redelegated some tasks, especially the one that hurts my hand and exchange it for something else, like trade a couple jobs with Ms. Inexperience. I figure I'll take the stuff that actually requires thinking, and let her have some of the more menial work, (which she will be less likely to mess up), and that way I won't have to leave my desk, and everyone won't have to answer the crazy phones while I'm gone, and I don't have to screw up my hand. I'm trying to make us all happy, including me (probably a lost cause ^_^)
I've been composing a letter to my boss about this, hoping for a compromise of sorts. She isn't unreasonable, but I'm still afraid of getting a no, and having to start posting my resume again.
What do you guys think of all this? What wisdom doth thou experienced old farts have to give forth? ^_^
I really need some ^_^.

POST A COMMENTthe confessor(01/22/2008)
Please visit Bullyonline.org. Assigning menial tasks can be a sign that your boss wants you out. Do write a letter stating your concern, and keep a copy at your home.
If the letter is ignored or even more menial tasks are piled on, it's time to take action against the boss or leave. Continue to document.

HaveADamnNiceDay(01/22/2008)
Honestly, I think I get all the crap work because I don't really complain. Everyone else bitches and moans the second something doesn't go their way. I'm so busy answering the phone I don't have time to complain.
Honestly, this whole phone issue has me very frustrated, because it constantly interrupts my other work. I can't get anything DONE. Basically, the phone company is also a client of ours, and to show good faith in our client, the big boss decided to use them as our long distance carrier. That's when all the problems began. I could go on and on, but I'll sum up and just say that I started out with six lines to answer, which were fairly busy, and now I have SEVENTEEN, and they NEVER STOP RINGING.
I've had a headache every day for the last couple weeks because of how busy the phone is... If I didn't think better of my bosses, I'd say they were trying to kill me. The truth is they're just plain inept. We have NO IT dept. Our company president handles all our IT issues. Needless to say, our computer network is always half a mess. Now our phone lines are a huge mess, and I'm getting dumped on. The one who suffers the most out of this is ME. It didn't used to be so bad until they screwed up the phones...

CK(01/22/2008)
I know how you feel - I really do! That is why I am on light-duty and go to the doctors and get paid Worker's Comp. I am going through the very same thing.

Do you have those Worker's Comp signs in your office? If yes then tell your manager you are hurting and file Comp! If your boss refuses then go to HR and file!

But I put up with the same cr@p myself. My department has a statistically high turnover rate but upper management doesn't care - so long as we make our numbers. We lost someone (contractor) last week from my department!

I know at least 5 other employees (not contractors) who are looking elsewhere. I dread the day that I get off light-duty and back into the snakepit. I say if they start giving me the very same cr@p that they were that got me injured then I will go streight to HR. And if THAT doesn't help then I will hire a lawyer.

I know that there are some managers and some employees who want to get rid of me. I even had a friend tell that someone overheard my former manager say just that! But becuase Ihave done nothing wrong they can't fire me!

The people who are left are slackers. They have already fired all the REAL workers (contractors).

The king slacker was almost fired for sexual harrassment but got his rear saved! He thinks he is hot sh!t with just a high school diploma! He barely does his job without being bribed with donuts. As a matter of fact he looks like he has Mr. Barnes head on Homer's body!

SouthernProgrammer(01/23/2008)
You are correct that they dumped it on you because you don't complain. Your boss probably does not like confrontation so the job was given to you because you are nice. The phone issue is NOT an issue to them because they don't deal with it....YOU DO!
Here is how you get the phones fixed, get a doctor to look at your hand and take a week off to heal with a doctors excuse. The phones will drive them nuts and they will then expedite getting them fixed.

dobbee(01/23/2008)
I agree with SP. They dump, because you let them dump. However, a little sick leave should alleviate the issues rather quickly. Good Luck!

SouthernProgrammer(01/23/2008)
HADND, just curious. Didn't you once say this was a new company?

I have 2 questions:

#1: Did the SAME OWNERS have another company?

#2: Do they have a ticket symbol for selling stock?


avid reader(01/23/2008)
I agree as well. It is because you accept those tasks. I always say you teach people how to treat you, so you are taking the right approach by addressing the situation. You are teaching your boss that you are a diligent worker who has been doing what has been requested of her and you are also teaching her that it is unacceptable for you. You are establishing your boundaries.

It's too bad that you have to do this, because the work they give you is a reflection of how they view you and for whatever reason they clearly do not view you as someone who should be given more challenging tasks instead of less challenging/menial tasks.

I think an issue with women is that we know we are being given crappy tasks or shit upon, but we hesitate to stand up for ourselves as not to be seen as conceited or "above" doing those tasks. Men would not hesitate. We women shoot ourselves in the foot this way.

So be brave and be as articulate as possible when writing your letter and having any subsequent conversations about the issue with your boss. Also, look your boss in the eye!

Good luck and chin up, HADND, you deserve it!

SunnySideUp(01/23/2008)
I would agree that the fact that you do not complain leads to your boss coming to you with requests. However, if you are assertive which does not mean complaining and this does not work with him, then you can go higher than him and file formal complaints.

CK(01/23/2008)
If you go to the bosses you may want to consider a few things. DON'T go to complain or have a pity party!

Gather what information/facts that you can in regards to your job requirements and duties. Explain that considering that your job requirements had changed that you would like a review of your duties and compensation. Don't accuse anyone or situation - this is not a pity party!

Look at it from your bosses side. What would he/she say or do? Be honest with yourself - what would most likely happen from your bosses prespective? If he/she counters your argument what would you say? respond?

Feel what your boss would feel and think - feel it with yourself! Now explain it to your boss how he/she feels in this situation.

Use logic and facts but we are all humans and have feelings - we are not machines. Make your bosses feelings in the now - you just may win your bosses feelings considering that you are taking your boss' side and thoughts before yours. Tell him/her about your good work and that you want to continue wanting to work. Review your work and how you progressed.

HaveADamnNiceDay(01/24/2008)
Hi guys--
I talked to my boss today. She came over and asked me about my hands and the duties that make them hurt. I also told her that Ms Inexperience can take my crap work if she has nothing to do. (which, today she didn't, and tried to take my "pet" work--the stuff I love doing the most). Boss agreed and has started making the necessary adjustments. I do love my boss! However, you guys have picked up on some interesting things: My boss IS non-confrontational. I think this is how she's survived so long at our company. I've heard her pledge her allegiance (usually in a humorous tone) to the owners of the company, but I know that she really does let this job practically rule her life, even though she's a proud and devoted mom of two hilarious and quirky little boys. I do sometimes worry about her. She hardly ever takes vacations, and the office practically goes to shambles without her.
SP: I don't remember saying the company was new, but I have said it's a small company. It's run by a married pair who like to cut loose alot and will do some pretty crazy stuff at work. On halloween, they showed up with lunch for everyone from a chinese restaurant, dressed in chinese clothing ^_^.
However, there are a lot of things that go on that I really don't care for. They DON'T do raises or christmas bonuses. People live off their commission checks, and if they work in admin, they live off of their hourly pay and whatever meager bonus checks we might get if the office meets goal (and that's a big IF).
Now, the owners ARE nice people, but I've accepted the fact that they don't care that much about us and will screw us in a second if it'll save them a buck. Unfortunately, that's the way businesses work. No one is safe.
As a result of my year at this job so far, I've gotten a very thick 'I don't give a crap' skin growing on me. Instead of being scared now, I just get mad or annoyed. I think I've also lost some of my appealing manners that employers like so much.. *sigh*
I guess I've topped out on my BS meter ^_^
BTW SP, I'm not sure what you mean by that stock thing. If they have it, I've never seen it or heard of it. I think I know what you're asking, though, because I saw something on one of your other comments about something like this. The business itself is not that new, been around probably more than a decade. There are a few folks who've been with the owners since the VERY beginning (when our company had a different name--which is now our parent name with a DBA), and that's a very long time (like 20 years or so). We have a lot of steady freddies and betties, but at the same time we have a LOT of turnover. People get fired all the time. We lose at least one person every month or so, and when we bring in a group of new hires, only one or two manage to survive. One thing that seems to baffle a lot of us is that people who should have been fired ages ago somehow manage to keep their jobs. For example, Alpha bitch has developed the "kirby survival tactic" of basically kissing ass every time the bosses walk by.
....Hmmm... Kirby Survival Tactic.... I'm gonna have to write that one down... ^_^.
Anyhow, thanks for the advice, guys. I've taken just about every nugget to heart. I'm glad you care, because the employers sure don't!!!!

CK(01/24/2008)
If there is a high turnover rate that should raise a red flag. If management doesn't investigate the issue then they just don't care.

But if you want to stay with the company then there are several things you can do. First you said that your boss is overworked as well. If, and I mean IF you have spare time ask her if there is something that YOU can do for her. I am not talking about kissing rear.

You did say that she doesn't take time off without the office being trashed. If you take some of the burden off of her there may be more she could hand off to you while removing some of your normal tasks. What I am saying here is to have her groom you to be her replacement when she is gone. This could also work for you are a future promotion!

As to the employee turn-around ... Figure how much it costs the company to train new people and what they could $ave if they could lower the outflow. But I should warn you that even though they may be aware of the issue you better have a viable solution to offer!

Ine way of finding out why some stay as well as leave to to talk to them - current and former employees. Get a feel of why they stay and why they left (or will leave). Gather the data, find a common thread, formulate a solution to the issue, and present it to your boss. Be sure that if your boss wants to present it to the bigger bosses that you come along.

Using what I had talked about regarding the IRAC method, apply it here as well. What is the issue, instead of rules sub results of the loss (your data), analysis of the situation (dollar loss- money speaks loudest!), and your conclusion or in this case your recommended action plan.

HaveADamnNiceDay(01/25/2008)
They honestly don't care. They'll hire any loser to fill a chair, except in my department. My boss has been grooming others (some less deserving, some more deserving than me) to help in case she has to leave early or take a day off for an appointment or whatever. I'm too swamped with phone calls to help her. She turns to others.
One of the biggest downfalls of being the phone lady is that I'm too busy taking and directing calls to even talk to her and be social (which everyone else does with impunity).
I feel like a pack mule.
I've been considering the option of going part-time or getting another job that is part-time. I'm just tired of the drama from the other girls in here and all the crap I have to sift through.

1anonymous (01/25/2008)
You are right to feel tired and fed up. Your boss is a sucker for any good sob story. She feels noble doing social work, thrives on chaos or has ADD and several other problems.

Your boss is killing you with kindness, she shows sympathy, clucks and goes on her merry way. Reminds me of the compassionate conservative who lets others drown while escaping in an empty SUV but professes sorrow for losing all the good workers.

The office getting trashed when she is not there is plain bad leadership. DO NOT help her or she will literally work you until you are disabled (been there) and will act disappointed and angry if you can't manage it any longer.

One more thing; you mentioned the high turnover, some states give companies tax breaks for each employee hired as long as that employee stays for a certain length of time.

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