[4wards]

Hi from perth,WA, australia

I work for a large car dealership in the lic dept.
there are alot of things that are allowed to go on that shouldn't. there is a large amount of disrespect towards the office manager and i mean in the way she is spoken too, she allows the junior girls to get aways with doing little or no work and if you raise the subject then your the bad one. she will take a call while serving someone else - stops doing what started and that person just sits there..
if you say anything nothing happens - the head goes down and avoids eye contact. i have tried to ignore the going ons but eventually you get dragged down aswell.
any advise on how to handle this situation???

great site....

[Robin Holtson]

Hi,
There are times when situations at work are difficult to overlook. It sounds as though you try to focus on your work, and ignore the situation, but that's beconming more challenging. Is there an HR manager you can discuss this with? Perhaps you could transfer to another department. If the situation begins to consume your day, it maybe time to look for another job.

[Aurora82]

I would agree with Robin, and take this higher if you are getting nowhere with your grievances. No disrespect to your office manager, but, from the events you describe, it sounds like she could be out of her depth, which could be the reason you receive the raw deal when the subject is raised. This, of course, is no help to you, but may explain why the other girls do little/no work. Sadly, not everyone will have your work ethic, and there are those out there who will seize upon an opportunity to take someone for a ride. It sounds as though, this is what's happening with your office manager. She may lack the confidence to make these girls toe the line - was she promoted to office manager? i.e was she friends with these girls before she became their boss? Perhaps with a confidante, she could be more assertive in her role. While your attempts to change the situation are wholly admirable, the office manager may feel undermined by you stepping in, particularly if it is seen to be "not your responsibility". You could let her know that you are there for her, and perhaps, in time, she will gain the confidence to tell your workshy colleagues what really needs to be done.