Appraisal Frustration

[itsme_calista]

As I've voiced here often, I am thoroughly demotivated in my job.  Despite me telling my boss that I am bored when he isn't here, no further work has been passed on to me!

Another part of my frustration is how little the PA role is thought of by other senior staff i.e. we're not part of any team, there isn't even a PA team!  All other staff functions have conferences at least twice a year, but the support functions don't!  The PA's aren't allowed to attend the management conferences despite dealing with all the business managers on a daily basis.  In fact, this years conference had some very exciting prizes and we've not even been told who the winners are yet (the conference was on the 19th of last month).

I've been asking for an appraisal date so we can sit and put some objectives into place, especially as I've been here 2 years now and never had any set.  Instead my boss just told me that I probably won't get one for another year as HR introduced a new system which is only being rolled out to Professional and Managerial staff!

I am looking round for another job but tbh I don't really want to leave this one, I love the people, the company and when I'm busy I adore the job, the money is a lot higher than I would get elsewhere and it's close proximity to my children's school and our house are worth a lot to me.  I've also been given a date for my surgery in July so I'm not really on the market until October

I just feel so frustrated,  in me, they have a lot of talent, ambition and someone who wants to work hard! (even if I am blowing my own trumpet) They pay over the market value for a PA in this area, so why is it so hard to do a good job for them?  Now I can't even get an appraisal with some objectives!

My boss has agreed to question this with HR & Training but I doubt he'll get any further.  He's getting back to me tomorrow and I'll have to have a heart to heart with him.

I just needed a rant but if anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them!

[gee4]

Callie, if I didn't know better I would swear you just described ME!

I am in my job 2 years in Aug, had some difficult times and finally I too asked for targets to be set so my bonus and pay rise could be more accurately measured.  My 2 directors hardly have any contact with me and it's frustrating at my age to be treated the way I am.

I don't want to look for another job, I also work for our Chairman and the work is varied and interesting and it's mine, no one else does my work.

Can you speak to your line manager or HR and ask for some targets to be set.  Like you I don't belong to any department so I'm out on a limb most of the time, overlooked, bypassed and just generally forgotten about.

See what you can do and I hope you get somewhere soon.  I took the bull by the horns for my own personal satisfaction and development.  Why is it that PA's are not worthy of an appraisal like anyone else?

[misslynn]

I can definitely understand where you are coming from and your frustrations are, unfortunately, not unusual in our field.

If you are in need of some busy work, I've got more than enough to share!  Just kidding ... kinda.

Here's my advice -
Find a partner in the space who believes in what you and your peers are capable of in the Admin role beyond current expectations and how the development of your skills will benefit the company, as well as each admin's direct boss.  Develop a business plan that outlines what you are requesting and what the company can see as a tangible ROI (return on investment).  Be as detailed and specific as possible with established goals and expectations.

When I first began to integrate my local admins into the business teams and bring them together for quarterly meetings, it started because I found one person who believed in what I said the outcome of the meetings could be.  After the first meeting, I sent a detailed recap of our learnings and the feedback responses from the admin attendees.  It only took a couple meetings for the results to be so apparent that I had 100% buy-in from everyone.

I then took the next step, partnering with my HR Director to set about the standard that the Admin is a part of the team so anything that the 'team' is doing, the Admin is included.  EVERYTHING ... from lunch together to meetings to performance evaluations.

I was in the role for 4 years as an indirect Supervisor to 10 admins, the turnover in that time was 2 people.  That doesn't, of course, include those that got promoted internally, which included people being promoted to management roles.  We worked hard to create a differentiated experience where the admin is a true business partner and not just a receptionist.

Most of all, it must begin with you.  Learn the language of your business and be able to participate in business discussions with your boss and managers.  When you print a report for your boss, read it and understand what it says before giving it to him.  What is your company's stock price?  What is your competitor's stock price?  What are the market expectations for your company's business results and how are they aligning with how the company is performing?  Just a couple sample questions to ask yourself.

Sorry for writing a book here, but it is a subject that I have a particular passion for.

[itsme_calista]

My boss is stopping by the office this afternoon so I'm going to try and have a word with him then.  It makes me so cross that our profession, one that we train hard for, have to be the face of the company, need to be on top of everything at all times, is so overlooked.  It makes me very angry to be so dismissed.

Misslynn, thanks for your advice, unfortunately it is really hard to do in this company.  I work in a satellite office about 50 miles from the Head Office, it's just me and my boss (although there is a company call centre and operating depot here), and I have no contact with anyone other than the support functions and two other PAs (neither of which are particularly ambitious or bothered about how we are treated).

There aren't really any meetings we can get involved in and the CEO already blocked our attendance to the Management Conferences!  

I can already have business discussions with my boss, I can translate the P&L statements, analyse the management accounts etc.  It's not necessarily my boss, he kind of understands but I don't think he realises how frustrating it is and tbh he doesn't know half of what I'm capable of because he's rarely in the office.  

I was counting on the appraisal to deal with that and at least we have an official record to base some objectives on but now I'm not getting that.  An informal conversation is not the route I wanted to go, I wanted something formal.

Don't get me wrong, it's not about more money or status, this is about getting recognition for the job I do, and him understanding that he has someone who is frustrated working for him, he's just done five Directors appraisals and made the commitment to work through their frustrations, but he doesn't realise my frustrations and lack of work.  I'm slowly turning back into and administrator and pushing paper.

Sorry, I'm ranting now.

Callie

[misslynn]

How did the conversation with your boss go?

[peaches2160]

I feel your pain.  My company too just implemented a new performance development system, for exempt employees.  Since I am non exempt, it does not effect me, or does it?  I just so happened to sit in on a meeting with my boss and the HR rep to go over the new process.  (Fortunately, he lets me participate at times).  Sure enough, the entire conversation was regarding the exempt staff.  I used this opportunity to ask about non-exempt, since I am included in his direct reports as well.  Yes, there were effects on my appraisal period.  I just subtally nudge and ends up I usually find out a way to get the information I need.  Glad I nudged on this one since it did have an effect that my boss nor I were aware of.

[itsme_calista]

Misslynn, he never came in!!  He's coming in briefly on Friday morning so if I can grab him then I will.  I'll let you know.

If I was happy with the job then I probably wouldn't be too bothered, but two years and no objectives is a long time!

Callie

[gee4]

I agree Callie....nail him down!

Why shouldn't a PA or admin have targets or objectives set as well as an annual appraisal?  I mean, we meet deadlines, manage large and small projects, as well as spoon feeding others.

Go girl!

[itsme_calista]

I'll put my hand up and admit that I "wimped" out today!  I never meant to to, but the last two days have been manic (yesss!) and I'm really focussed on the job, so when he came in I did remind him that he needed to speak to someone about it, but I never pushed it like I wanted too!

I'm determined to get this sorted before I go in hospital, I really want a job I can look forward to coming back to

Callie