[CZTop54]

I finally have a job in which my schedule is not limited by having to arrange my lunch around someone else and I'm in a top administrative position. Now, due to some changes and shifting, I suspect I may be asked to replace the receptionist when she is out of the office.

I've worked many years and very hard to move beyond that-- though it is highly important and deserves respect. Also, I feel it stands in the way of my being seen as the part of Staff that I am. I'm also someone who is always ready to step in and help no matter what, but this one throws me. I just don't want to do this...I want to move forward not be held back by being asked to do this type of task or being seen at the same level. I don't want to be difficult.

Any thoughts on how I can address this -- or shall I just get over and do it? My head knows I need to do what is best for the company. My heart feels disappointed at the thought. Fact is, I'm closest to the receptionist in a job that seems similar at first glance and -- of course, I'm flexible.

[Libby Huffman]

I dealt with this same thing, CZ. I was an executive assistant that was placed at a reception desk at the entry way to our offices. This was seen as a temporary thing, but of course, one of the other executives wanted me to perform receptionist duties. He wanted me to have a visitor sign-in sheet and would ask me to make copies for him and of course, would always tell me when he was leaving the office and when he would return so I could tell anyone looking for him. This was not in my job description at all. I told my boss how I felt and while she was very sympathetic, there was honestly nowhere else to put me. The company had a strange policy of not allowing any admin within their company to have an office, so that was not an option. Eventually, they built cubes around the "nice" offices and my reward for my patience was to get the first pick. Once I made that move, there were no more receptionist duties. I feel your pain, so my best advice would be to talk to your boss about it. Good luck.

[CZTop54]

Thank you very much for your understanding and input. It helps.

[Jodith]

I would, indeed, talk to your boss. I would make clear that you are willing to do what is important for the company, but how being asked to do this makes you feel devalued. I'm in the same boat. I work for a small non-profit agency, and we had to layoff our receptionist last year, leaving me as the only other admin employee, so I, of course, picked up all of her duties, including greeting clients and answering the phone. I haven't minded because it has been made clear to me that my accomplishments are valued and I'm only being asked to do this because of funding issues. I can live with it as long as my overall expertise is valued. If I felt like it wasn't valued, I'd be coming the paper for a new job. I've worked to hard for too long in this field to not be respected for the expertise I hold. I'm sure that you feel the same. So, give them a chance to express that. And if they can't, well maybe it is time to look for someplace where that can happen.

[MatthewCutler]

As the Executive Assistant in a medium-sized charitable organization (5 Million Budget, 60 Staff), my role is considered "Management" and takes on the roles and responsibilities of any member of the Senior Management Team. I am regarded by staff as a Manager and generally treated with the level of respect that role demands. One might think then, that a request to stand-in for reception might seem degrading in my case. However it's the opposite.

Our agency has fostered a culture which values every role in our operation. While paid lower than other positions, the work of reception is considered essential to our work - the face of our agency, the first point of contact, a key person in the customer service relationship. Any of our staff would be happy to stand in that role if they are avaialble and the help is needed - I think the issue in this case is stigma, not tasks ... at the heart of your concern is the lack of respect your organization has for the administrative professionals in their midst.

[LisaOlsen]

You might consider proposing a "shared" pool of people who can fill in for the receptionist. I was in this exact same position. As the CEO to the president the receptionist actually reported to me, but my boss said when the receptionist was out, he wanted me to fill. Like you, I had mixed feelings about this. So I decided to find four other people that would really like the opportunity to learn the receptionist desk duties. I talked to their supervisors, we met and reviewed all the protocol for the position. I trained them so the duties would be handled consistently and efficiently when the receptionist was out of the office.

The CEO agreed to my proposal. It was definitely a win-win. The desk was covered by any one of 5 competent people, the other 4 were thrilled to have the added experience, and I didn't have to fill in all the time. We had a schedule to cover lunches, vacations, etc. it also gave me the opportunity to step up and take on the role of mentor and trainer. It worked very well. Maybe this is something you could propose to your boss?

Good luck. I understand your situation. Think it through and find a solution that benefits everyone.

[Ms. Bridgette Jones]

I find it sad that unfortunately in our corporate world, some positions are considered lesser than others and that people have lost the whole idea of what a "team" really is. Being a team member involves helping your co-workers when needed and stepping in or stepping up when needed. If you think you are too good to do certain tasks, then you will never ever make it to a top level. Everyone I know who is successful has been willing to get down and dirty and has let their ego go. Your job should not define who you are as a person. If you aren't happy with the situation, find another job where you feel like you are "better" than those below you. You can talk to your boss as well, but I don't think he/she will see you as a team player and it could jeopardize you in the future. I guess I am sensitive to this issue because I have worked very hard over the years and have worked my way to top positions. Due to an unexpected circumstance I was forced to take a different job where I was told I would be upper level administration but then I was also tossed into the Reception area as well since it is a small office. For some reason when you get looped in with the word "RECEPTION" people feel that they can treat you poorly and in my situation, none of the other women in the office want to cover me for lunches or help in anyway. If I am out sick or when I go on vacation, I have to deal with attitude when I get back. It would just be nice if people actually worked together because when it comes down to it, I'm always expected to help out everyone else in the office and back them up and cover for them when they are out and on vacation etc... In this day and age, with the economy as it is, you will often find that most positions have you as an: Executive Assistant/Personal Assistant/Receptionist/and Accountant all in one.... so if you think about it you are actually very powerful in some ways and you have learned how to run the office on your own while others limit themselves because they refuse to help with anything outside of their defined "job description".

[Bree]

Unfortunately upper management doesn't always understand your feelings about hierchy when it comes to covering administrative issues. I've worked in offices where EVERYONE - Partners, Associates, Mail Clerks have had to cover the phones when the receptionist went on lunch. In my current situation where we do not have the budget to have a receptionist and the office administrative staff covers the phones. It's hard when you've worked so hard to get off the phones, but consider this as an opportunity to display your grace and flexibility.

However, if you feel that this is a major step back for you, or your office honestly needs additional personnel, then it may be time to make a change. Good Luck to you, may you find the hapiness you are looking for.

[Ms. Bridgette Jones]

Thanks Bree, I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head. I realize maybe I need to move on. I do sympathize with CZT and I understand her. The company I work for is small, I was promised growth but it does not seem like it is going to work out that way. I think I was kind of persuaded to join the team with promises of progression but it's kind of obvious that I have been cast downward into a position where I'm an Admin for the President yet stuck as the receptionist at the same time because they are not willing to spend the money on a receptionist. Sadly, I could be so much more effective if they would give me the room to grow and actually focus on what I was hired for. So I guess my word of caution to those out there looking for jobs is... make sure ahead of time that the company actually has room for growth...it's pretty obvious if the staff is very small and there are very few positions that maybe it's not going to go that way. I assumed it would be a good opportunity and that as the company grew I would too.

[Ms. Bridgette Jones]

OK CZT so I feel your pain, I've been promoted to a high Admin position and I still can't escape the phones....I mentioned it to my superiors. THey talked about going automated and/or having people answer phones at their desks but then came back to the conclusion that they like they way I handle clients and their calls..... so no matter how many times I've stated that I'm miserable or that they should hire someone who is purely a "receptionist" I'm getting blown off. I have no flexibility at all and even though my position is equivalent or higher to others in the office, no one else likes answering the phones and it's a bad situation. What would you guys suggest? It's hard for me to do my job when I'm constantly answering phones and trying to track people down especially since our office has grown and we now have more employees.