Jack of all trades against my will...

Hen88

Ok this all started 3 and half years ago when I was made redundant from my job. I friend of a friend had part time work so I took it hand and all as anything was better than being unemployed.. The job is in a large estate where I work ORGANISING the maintainence of the the house and gardens, organising ongoing events, supervising seasonal staff and abit of catering.. Basically abit of everything.. Im 24 and work very hard but the lady of the house who is 70 actually expects me to run the whole house. Im meant to be working part time, yet Im here 5-6 days a week.. I do ALL the laundry/ironing and cleaning myself EVEN painting and then in the summer, she asks me to go out and pick the weeds in the (very large) garden, clean out the sheds, rake gravel, bring in sticks, move furniture etc? Im five foot nothin and go home many days with pains and aches! I just dont know how to say no.. I do feel that alot of these jobs are more suited to a strong man? Am I right or wrong? I know that the seasonal staff who come in get paid more than me, and also would never be asked to do the things mentioned above, it would be below them.. Im so fed up but cant find anything else at the moment. I enrolled to go back to college to get my degree and she has made several snide remarks since I did and also tried to keep me late the nights I have to go to class. I'll give you an example: I ask where would she like me to put something? She says - up my arse?, another day when there were 4 other seasonal staff there I was stood infront of her and she pulled out the pocket of my apron and tipped her fag ash in it, I was so angry but left speechless.. Ive also never recieved a pay rise... Has anyone been in a similar situation or have any advice? Thanks...

looksee

As someone who is probably nearer in age than most people here, I will say that she is a bad mannered old cow who is nonetheless completely out of her depth/losing it.

Nothing will happen unless you stand up for yourself. She will either be willing to let you go, in which case, so be it. Or she will cop on and change the situation. She isn't going to do anything unless you push it.

Offer her practical solutions to the problems. Help her find another worker (maybe ask in college, but be careful, you recommend someone, you take the flak). Are you properly covered by all the stamp/tax/insurance etc? Do you get holidays? You will find you are very stuck if you are sick or if she lets you go/gets sick herself. Is there anyone else like an accountant employed?

Unnecessary rudeness like the incident with the cigarette ash tell her firmly but reasonable politely that it is unacceptable behaviour.

You don't have to be afraid of her. You are a manager, manage assistance to do the heavy work, and if she refuses to co-operate then tell you you are going. If you are doing all you say, and I don't doubt it, she will not let you go. If she does tell you to go, take a week's leave and tell her you will come back and see if she still wants you after that.

Its up to you though, you are the only person who can change things.

gerryg80

Hen88 wrote: »

Ok this all started 3 and half years ago when I was made redundant from my job. I friend of a friend had part time work so I took it hand and all as anything was better than being unemployed.. The job is in a large estate where I work ORGANISING the maintainence of the the house and gardens, organising ongoing events, supervising seasonal staff and abit of catering.. Basically abit of everything.. Im 24 and work very hard but the lady of the house who is 70 actually expects me to run the whole house. Im meant to be working part time, yet Im here 5-6 days a week.. I do ALL the laundry/ironing and cleaning myself EVEN painting and then in the summer, she asks me to go out and pick the weeds in the (very large) garden, clean out the sheds, rake gravel, bring in sticks, move furniture etc? Im five foot nothin and go home many days with pains and aches! I just dont know how to say no.. I do feel that alot of these jobs are more suited to a strong man? Am I right or wrong? I know that the seasonal staff who come in get paid more than me, and also would never be asked to do the things mentioned above, it would be below them.. Im so fed up but cant find anything else at the moment. I enrolled to go back to college to get my degree and she has made several snide remarks since I did and also tried to keep me late the nights I have to go to class. I'll give you an example: I ask where would she like me to put something? She says - up my arse?, another day when there were 4 other seasonal staff there I was stood infront of her and she pulled out the pocket of my apron and tipped her fag ash in it, I was so angry but left speechless.. Ive also never recieved a pay rise... Has anyone been in a similar situation or have any advice? Thanks...

Sounds like something put of a Charles Dickens novel. Stand for yourself. U sound like someone who will get another job some else after a few weeks, if you were to chuck this one.