take the hint already.........

A colleague keeps asking me to do her administrative work via blackberry.....as if I am just sitting around with NOTHING to do I have 5 jobs but one title & salary for just the one title.

You would think that after I forwarded at least 5 of her blackberry messages to the secretary and admin people to handle that she would just send the messages to them directly But she still keeps sending me such messages and copying my manager as if that will make me do her secretarial work

She even once sent a message to my manager asking if I was going to handle some matter....and copied me on it but did not ask me Then my manager sent me the message asking if I would do it. I said it would get done and had the admin do it. This is just way too much useless e-mail.

She has no admin in our office since technically she does not work for my department but for headquarters in another state. Her admin sits there but is shared with about 10 other remote workers. If she needs a local admin person then she needs to speak to management to get them to hire more help.

The funny part is that she is quick to tell others that something is not her job and then pass it on.

She is clearly not getting the message that I was not hired to be her admin and that the few times that I do help her out is because I want to and not because I am required. That's what I get for being helpful a few times.

It just shows that no good deed goes unpunished!!

Re: take the hint already.........

some people just dont get it. That would annoy me!

Re: take the hint already.........

That's so annoying. I hate that feeling of getting taken for granted and that being helpful some how translates to being a subordinate. It ultimately gets to the point where you need to reply back to her or copy her in the emails you forward asking the appropriate person to do the job.

Re: take the hint already.........

Sounds like the same rule applies in all businesses...you do a good job you get rewarded with MORE work.

SOOO frustrating!!!

Re: take the hint already.........

People are a little slow to take the hint sometimes.

I had someone who used to work here that would ask me questions that didn't pertain to my role and I would say "I am not sure but, X would know." Their response would be "Could you ask them, I have a deadline?" I was technically senior to this person so I was annoyed but, I helped them out. It ended up being a huge fiasco and she left work on time and I ended up being there late (while they left on time).

Re: take the hint already.........

Re: take the hint already.........

That's so irritating!! I think she probably assumes you will / can do it since you've gotten it done for her (even fi the admins were do ing it). I'd stop forwarding on the work for her. Instead, write back, "This is something that _____ usually handles. You can ask her directly in the future" and copy ____ on the email. I'd do the same thing if the manager emailed me, too. I'd copy everyone and say, "This sort of work can be done by _____."

If it's still an issue, I'd speak to her manager or, if more appropriate, speak to your manager and have him/her speak to this person's manager.

Good luck.

Re: take the hint already.........

Ooops. I see my one suggestion was already given. I'd take it to the managers. Or just keep replying curtly, "Ask _____ - this is her responsibility, not mine."

Re: take the hint already.........

Message edited 12/18/2007 3:28:40 PM.

Re: take the hint already.........

It stinks because it sounds like you are just going have to keep flat out saying no to make her stop. And even though it's not your responsibility, she could spin it to make it look like you are not a team player.

I get things like that a lot here because I have worked here so long and have worked in so many areas. I am the official phone book of my company and apparently the go to person for riciulous crap like the door doesn't work and the toilet is broken.


eta...I am a manager in the finance department. As far as I could tell, that has nothing to do with broken bathrooms.

Message edited 12/18/2007 11:02:26 AM.

Re: take the hint already.........

Posted by Christine

It stinks because it sounds like you are just going have to keep flat out saying no to make her stop. And even though it's not your responsibility, she could spin it to make it look like you are not a team player.

I get things like that a lot here because I have worked here so long and have worked in so many areas. I am the official phone book of my company and apparently the go to person for riciulous crap like the door doesn't work and the toilet is broken.


eta...I am a manager in the finance department. As far as I could tell, that has nothing to do with broken bathrooms.

Re: take the hint already.........

I would speak to your manager about it and agree on clear guidelines/limits for this person. Then speak to that person on the phone/in person, not via email (although you can send written confirmation of the limits as well).

Re: take the hint already.........

That is so fustrating. I would mention this situation to her manager. I mean why is she getting paid if she is making you do her work. That is crazy. Sorry to hear about this.

~dancer and chef~
charlotte and michael

Re: take the hint already.........

You will not believe this. She did it AGAIN!!! This was a few hours later & for a separate matter.

I flipped.....but did not straight curse her out since that could get me into trouble. She ended up apologizing to me. But then get this....she asked me to call this person to get clarity on a request....a request that I already explained to her is not my problem to handle

Why on earth would I call and make myself the go between when the people who need to connect have each other's contact info?

Re: take the hint already.........