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Bullying by Receptionist

  • 26-11-2008 12:45pm
    #1
    Angie0912
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6 ✭


    Hi All,

    I was just wondering if anyone has gone through this and how did they deal with it. I am working in a small company (approx 27 employees) and I am the Financial Controller & Human Resources Manager.

    About 18 months ago, the receptionist at work went through some sort of change. Where before she was plesant and accomondating, she all of a sudden became the total opposite. There have been 12 incidents over this time, each of which I have made a note of. She has been constantly trying to undermine my role, it is nearly like she wants my job.
    Also, it looks like both the directors think that the sun, moon & stars shine out of her arse.

    An example is yesterday, the repair man for the photocopier was in and he happens to be a relative of mine, although I don't think that she knows it. I happened to go to the office where he was and was chatting about things in general as I hadn't seen him in a while. He told me that he was trying to see if the company would purchase a new photocopier and when she returned to tell him that one of the directors had agreed to it, she wouldn't tell him while I was there. She told him to go to her office to discuss it.


Comments

  • #2
    AARRRGH
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,382 ✭✭✭✭AARRRGH


    Can you ask her what's wrong?


  • #3
    seamus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    Why does a receptionist have an office? Or is she receptionist/admin/secretary?

    Tbh, anytime I've seen this kind of attitude from female receptionists, it's jealousy; Plain and simple. Are you younger and better looking than her?

    Since you're the HR manager, I imagine you have some sort of training or experience in dealing with these things, so you should know whether it would be best to sit down and ask her or simply go straight to one of the directors.


  • #4
    duracell
    Closed Accounts Posts: 37 ✭duracell


    I have to say that if that is what you consider bullying then you have little to be worrying about.

    Why is your receptionist liasing with the directors about purchasing a photocopier. It appears she is already doing your job. Surely that is your remitt as Financial Controller.

    I too am Financial Controller and Personnel Manager for a company of over 50 staff. You need to take control of your staff and ensure that they all have clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Make sure that even if they don't respect you (as you have to earn that) that they do respect your authority and position.

    There are clearly defined procedures for dealing with staff who are disruptive to the business. You should already be aware of them.


  • #5
    helimachoptor
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 21,693 Mod ✭✭✭✭helimachoptor


    Am I the only one who finds it odd that the HR manager is the same person as the financial controller??


  • #6
    AARRRGH
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,382 ✭✭✭✭AARRRGH


    helimachoptor wrote: »
    Am I the only one who finds it odd that the HR manager is the same person as the financial controller??

    It can happen in small companies. I used to be HR manager and financial controller too...

    Actually, the company I work for (large multi-national) has the financial controller in charge of HR too, so maybe it's common. :)


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  • #7
    mikemac
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19,986 ✭✭✭✭mikemac


    My reading of it is the receptionist is very insecure in her job.
    Maybe she feels disappointed she is a receptionist and has aspirations to have a job like yours.
    And I'd say she tells people she meets outside work she has a realy fancy job title.

    She wants more responsibility, otherwise she'd just sit behind her desk and do her reception duties and not a single bit of extra work.

    Edit: That's reads like a personal issue reply, I've been hanging out in that forum way too much!


  • #8
    Angie0912
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6 ✭Angie0912


    The receptionist has her own office as she deals with some of the admin and secretarial duties.

    Today, however, things have taken a twist. The bank rang and left information with her. I contacted the bank and informed them that she was no more than the receptionist. I also informed the Technical director, as the MD is away. He wasn't happy.

    Yes I am younger than her by about 10 years, however, she is reallly thin and where as I am a little over weight.
    The thing is that she turned 40 last year and this was when things started to change. Before that she respected my position and left me to do my job. I have tried approaching her on numberous occasions about this but she just goes off the head and says that the MD told her to do this and that. After when i've checked with him, he says that he didn't and I'm left in the middle.

    It's not just me though that has a problem with her. There are other people on the factory floor that hate having to deal with her and they say that she has a right attitude about things.


  • #9
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    You are the HR Manager so this falls to you to solve this even if you weren't personally involved. You should have the necessary training and skills to deal with a situation like this if you are a HR Manager. As Finacial Controller I can't see how anybody, including directors, would accept her dealing with approvals to purchase a copier. Things are a bit screwwise in that company. Time to have a manangement meeting and restate the role of each manager. Also time to have a talk with the receptionist and define her role.
    I don't follow what the thin/overweight thing has to do with anything.


  • #10
    seamus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    You are the HR manager: Issue her with a warning for her conduct (making decisions above her position and lying about them, being difficult with staff), and if her conduct doesn't improve, you fire her.


  • #11
    Angie0912
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6 ✭Angie0912


    The only problem with issueing her with a warning is that the directors think that no can do her job as good as her. The other problem is that I am personally involved and so I'd have to get one of the directors to issue her with the warning and neither of them want to be involved in issuing warnings until things get to the final stage i.e. firing someone.


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  • #12
    AARRRGH
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,382 ✭✭✭✭AARRRGH


    Angie0912 wrote: »
    The only problem with issueing her with a warning is that the directors think that no can do her job as good as her. The other problem is that I am personally involved and so I'd have to get one of the directors to issue her with the warning and neither of them want to be involved in issuing warnings until things get to the final stage i.e. firing someone.

    Can you talk to the MD etc. about how her behaviour is affecting you? If they do nothing I think you'd have a pretty good case...


  • #13
    Mrs OBumble
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,295 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    You are the "HR Manager" and you are posting to a very public place like boards.ie for advice about a very basic personnel issue???? WTF.

    Maybe it's that the receptionist knows she could be doing as good a job as you are at many things (eg purchasing office equipment), and is mighty annoyed that you got the job and she didn't.

    Find yourself some appropriate sources of professional advice and mentoring. This site is soooo not the right place.


  • #14
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    JustMary has hit the nail on the head.
    It smacks of a very unprofessional HR Manager to have to resort to a Messageboard on how to deal with what most of us come across on a regular basis in our jobs. Talk to someone professionally if you feel you can't perform your duties or need help with some competancies. Lord knows who is giving you advice here! :confused:
    Personally it sounds like the Receptionist is on the ball and may be carrying more than her share of the responsibilties of the firm if the HR Manager or Financial Controller can't step up to the plate. A bit harsh maybe but you are supposed to be a manager. Act like one. You could be surprised how it works out!


  • #15
    homeOwner
    Closed Accounts Posts: 779 ✭✭✭homeOwner


    Angie0912 wrote: »
    An example is yesterday, the repair man for the photocopier was in and he happens to be a relative of mine, although I don't think that she knows it. I happened to go to the office where he was and was chatting about things in general as I hadn't seen him in a while. He told me that he was trying to see if the company would purchase a new photocopier and when she returned to tell him that one of the directors had agreed to it, she wouldn't tell him while I was there. She told him to go to her office to discuss it.

    As the financial controller you should be taking charge of these situations, she is clearly overstepping the mark. Why didnt you say politely but firmly, "Thank you Mary but I deal with purchasing, I will handle this."

    Seriously, if you keep playing the srinking violet, she will end up with your job. Or worse you will end up taking the flack for something she is doing that is supposed to be your responsibility.

    As for the bank details, why havent you challenged her on this? This is your direct area of responsibility. If I was your employer I would be wondering what I am paying you for.


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