Work situation - would like suggestions

[Opti]

OP deleted as planned.

[Opti]

Deleted as planned.

[Shooby]

If you want FT, I think you just need to be clear to Admin that you are interested in FT. Are the office job postings? If so, you should go ahead and submit for any and all jobs posted that you may want including filling out and app and sending your resume to HR. Many companies have a lot of disconnected depts. And, if HR does all the hiring, just telling your boss may not be enough to get the info where it needs to go. You still have to formally go through the process of application in many companies. Not sure how yours works, but consider that might help anyway.
And, yes, many jobs are politics, family connections and appearance. So, you can only work on the things you can work on. You have some edge in that you are already there and known. Not family but you can't help that. Appearance? If that is something you think you need to address, then up your game there if need be as well. It can't hurt.

As for you do about her? You work with her the best you can. The last thing you want to do is go to the boss and appear to be bashing someone they just hired. I would be very careful about doing that. You might think you are giving them important info, but that could easily backfire and make you appear as a gossip. I would just take a step back. If she doesn't do her work properly, it will soon become evident to them.

[mmhmm]

You've been there for several years. Does management know you want a full time position and have they known that the whole time you've been there?

[Opti]

Shooby, I have told my boss, the administrator, and the HR/assistant administrator I want a FT position. Our hiring and posting of positions is very scattered and uncoordinated. They now post some jobs on the corporate website but not all. In fact the receptionist job was posted as FT on that website but my boss assured me it was a mistake. It was never corrected. Some jobs pop up on obscure job boards with no heads up to reception.

The son of the physician applied for the FT secretary job when the secretary was still there and no one was covering evening hours so I expected her to be oustered in the future because of physician's importance to our facility. I did speak to the DON about that position a couple days after I learned she was gone, but she had already hired this guy. (Job was never listed.)

Yes, I don't want to appear to bash this woman, but mistakes are tolerated more depending on who you are and perceived severity. The relative is more bubbly and follows the more makeup/feminine appearance which seems to be favored. I will step up my makeup routine in hopes it helps and for now plan to see what new person plans to do. Per her she's been through 5 job titles in one week and does not really trust what my boss and the administrator tell her.

[Shooby]

Honestly, I would just keep my eye open for FT postings. Then apply for them. Check monster or your company website or whatever and then go through the process. That is really all you can do.

[Lizard Queen]

1. New people are going to make mistakes. That's just a given. 

2. Like a relationship, they're just not that into you.  Look for a FT elsewhere, somewhere they might appreciate you more.

[milee]

Most bosses tend to make decisions based on balancing the outcomes desired with how much hassle it is to achieve those outcomes. In other words, they want results that are good enough without unnecessary hassle.  Example - Could they get a perfect receptionist? Yes, but that would cost $X and need Y weeks to train and monitor, so they go with a receptionist that costs $Z and gets them 90% of their desired outcome. 

A big part of this equation is how much hassle it is to deal with the employee.  You can increase your chances of success by being a very low hassle person.  In an employer's eyes a good employee gets your work done quickly and well without requiring huge amounts of supervision or intervention, and that includes time spent talking about other employees.  If you were to go to a boss and tell them the amount of detail that is in the first 2-3 posts, not only would a boss not care about most of it (heck the boss him/herself has probably sent out an email without an attachment before), it would be counterproductive for you. 

Stop worrying about what's fair and about others not being perfect and focus on being a solid, low drama employee and the bosses will be seeking you out to take more on.  Develop good working relationships with your coworkers and bosses and that will help as well.  Good luck.

[Shooby]

Well said Milee.

[andi9899]

Apr 26, 2015 8:13:13 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

1. New people are going to make mistakes. That's just a given. 

2. Like a relationship, they're just not that into you.  Look for a FT elsewhere, somewhere they might appreciate you more.

This. Family run businesses are always going to have some degree of nepotism involved. I say move on. There have to be plenty of other medical facilities in your area. They are always hiring for something. Even if you have to apply for an entry level secretarial position, which it sounds like you are after here and work your way up. At least the competition would be somewhat fair.

[Shooby]

You aren't going to change the culture. If they hire relatives, they hire relatives. And, honestly, most bosses don't want to hear negative stuff. They dont' want employees running to them with their personal issues with other employees. They care about one thing, getting the job done. Period. And, however you have to do that, that is what you do. Some people you work with and some people you work around. And, since there is so much nepotism, going to complain about someone who may have a family tie may even jeopardize your current position. And, as a PT employee, your thoughts on how they should run the company really don't interest them. Sorry to be blunt, but that is generally the truth.

[Shooby]

And, if you really want FT, then start looking around at other jobs in other places. You dont' know what is out there until you put yourself out there.

[resolution]

I think Milee has give you some good solid advice about being a reliable employee that doesn't get involved in drama or require a lot of maintenance. Management wants employees that they can rely to get the job done and also to be friendly and get along with coworkers. So far nothing in your post that the new receptionist has done seems to be serious enough to take to management (or to anyone else). Unless I missed something, I didn't see any safety issues or other behavior that put the employer or residents at risk, nor did I see customer complaints that would need to be forwarded.

I would encourage you to be helpful to the new receptionist if she asks for help and then focus your efforts outside of work at finding a full time position somewhere else.

At this point you have worked there for many years and keep getting passed over for the full time positions. I think you are much more likely to find something full time at another employer than you are to find it at the current location.

[Opti]

Apr 26, 2015 8:21:43 GMT -5 milee said:

Most bosses tend to make decisions based on balancing the outcomes desired with how much hassle it is to achieve those outcomes. In other words, they want results that are good enough without unnecessary hassle.  Example - Could they get a perfect receptionist? Yes, but that would cost $X and need Y weeks to train and monitor, so they go with a receptionist that costs $Z and gets them 90% of their desired outcome. 

A big part of this equation is how much hassle it is to deal with the employee.  You can increase your chances of success by being a very low hassle person.  In an employer's eyes a good employee gets your work done quickly and well without requiring huge amounts of supervision or intervention, and that includes time spent talking about other employees.  If you were to go to a boss and tell them the amount of detail that is in the first 2-3 posts, not only would a boss not care about most of it (heck the boss him/herself has probably sent out an email without an attachment before), it would be counterproductive for you. 

Stop worrying about what's fair and about others not being perfect and focus on being a solid, low drama employee and the bosses will be seeking you out to take more on.  Develop good working relationships with your coworkers and bosses and that will help as well.  Good luck.

I actually am a low hassle employee and known as the one who generally does not complain. I gave the huge detail in the opening posts as background. YMers in general gave advice that I should hang on and I'd just get a FT job eventually because I was competent. That hasn't happened. In fact, I feel I got screwed over twice, even if I understand why it happened.

In my closing email to my boss last night, all I mentioned is that I went over opening procedures with the new person in regards to checking the census and our daily communication sheet. No value judgments just one sentence. Since this is I thought a place I could safely whine, I am whining here. Temporarily. The attachment thing is not a big deal, just shows she wasn't paying attention on a day which is very slow phone call wise. That's all. But she already knows more crap about FTer than I do. On the other hand, I

only see Fter for a couple minutes twice a week and new person has trained with her for several FT days.

My biggest weakness is actually not wanting to be a gossip and find out dirt on everyone. I am roundly beaten by new person on that given yesterday's conversation. She stayed with me to train instead of going to the secretary's desk to get her remaining hours.

[Shooby]

Optimist - Oftentimes it is harder to get the job you really want after you already there. I know that shouldn't be the case, but in my experience, it just seems to be that way. It seems that employers have deeply ingrained ways of thinking. And, if they move you to another position, then they think "oh we now have to fill your PT position" so in some ways, to that kind of thinking it just seems easier to them to hire a newbie. And, that is no reflection on the job you are doing or how you look or how you interact. It is just the process. So, dont' take that personally.

[Opti]

Apr 26, 2015 8:40:36 GMT -5 resolution said:

I think Milee has give you some good solid advice about being a reliable employee that doesn't get involved in drama or require a lot of maintenance. Management wants employees that they can rely to get the job done and also to be friendly and get along with coworkers. So far nothing in your post that the new receptionist has done seems to be serious enough to take to management (or to anyone else). Unless I missed something, I didn't see any safety issues or other behavior that put the employer or residents at risk, nor did I see customer complaints that would need to be forwarded.

I would encourage you to be helpful to the new receptionist if she asks for help and then focus your efforts outside of work at finding a full time position somewhere else.

At this point you have worked there for many years and keep getting passed over for the full time positions. I think you are much more likely to find something full time at another employer than you are to find it at the current location.

Agreed. I think it is in part because I am smart and they are not comfortable with me being there in a low position.

I realize it wasn't clear, because I get too wordy when upset and not getting enough sleep. I do not want to complain about new person. I wonder if it is wise to speak to those I mentioned about why did you hire someone FT when you know I want FT and we will still need weekend coverage?

[Shooby]

Have you thought about offering them a position? That you could cover weekends in a full time capacity or something? If there are gaps there, you may be able to offer them a schedule that fills those gaps and gives both of you what you want.

[Opti]

Apr 26, 2015 8:50:28 GMT -5 Shooby said:

Optimist - Oftentimes it is harder to get the job you really want after you already there. I know that shouldn't be the case, but in my experience, it just seems to be that way. It seems that employers have deeply ingrained ways of thinking. And, if they move you to another position, then they think "oh we now have to fill your PT position" so in some ways, to that kind of thinking it just seems easier to them to hire a newbie. And, that is no reflection on the job you are doing or how you look or how you interact. It is just the process. So, dont' take that personally.

I actually got that issue when I spoke to my boss about applying for the vacant secretary position. I was told I would not be able to take it unless they hired someone for my position so I had to let the hiring person for that position know that.

[Shooby]

At this point, I would really sit down and think about what the needs are there. Can you come up with a schedule and position that really helps the place function better that is a full time capacity? And, then present that. You might wait a bit though because, they might not want to hire another FT immediately after her. So, consider the timing. And, in the meantime, you should absolutely be looking elsewhere.

[Opti]

Apr 26, 2015 8:55:27 GMT -5 Shooby said:

Have you thought about offering them a position? That you could cover weekends in a full time capacity or something? If there are gaps there, you may be able to offer them a schedule that fills those gaps and gives both of you what you want.

I'm 55, I'm not really up to two 12 hour shifts in a row. Reception is covered from 9AM to 9PM

all week. As is I hate when I cover for someone and have to go from closing at 9PM and working

a FT day shift at 9AM.

I'll think on it though, I'd want to get the other PTer to shift days then as I get my days off singly.

[mmhmm]

Apr 26, 2015 8:56:39 GMT -5 Opti said:

Apr 26, 2015 8:50:28 GMT -5 Shooby said:

Optimist - Oftentimes it is harder to get the job you really want after you already there. I know that shouldn't be the case, but in my experience, it just seems to be that way. It seems that employers have deeply ingrained ways of thinking. And, if they move you to another position, then they think "oh we now have to fill your PT position" so in some ways, to that kind of thinking it just seems easier to them to hire a newbie. And, that is no reflection on the job you are doing or how you look or how you interact. It is just the process. So, dont' take that personally.

I actually got that issue when I spoke to my boss about applying for the vacant secretary position. I was told I would not be able to take it unless they hired someone for my position so I had to let the hiring person for that position know that.

Perhaps I should let them know I can not continue as I have been much longer. My Dad is sending me money because he is not ready for me to move out of state to live with him yet. If I could find something FT I could stay here and not stress him further.

I've seen reluctance to hire a PT employee to a FT position because PT positions are often difficult to fill with reliable people who'll jump and run on a moment's notice when someone calls in. It's totally unfair but, like Shoobs, I've seen it, too. That could be part of what's hurting you and it could be all of it.

[mmhmm]

Apr 26, 2015 9:00:27 GMT -5 Opti said:

Apr 26, 2015 8:55:27 GMT -5 Shooby said:

Have you thought about offering them a position? That you could cover weekends in a full time capacity or something? If there are gaps there, you may be able to offer them a schedule that fills those gaps and gives both of you what you want.

I'm 55, I'm not really up to two 12 hour shifts in a row. Reception is covered from 9AM to 9PM

all week. As is I hate when I cover for someone and have to go from closing at 9PM and working

a FT day shift at 9AM.

I'll think on it though, I'd want to get the other PTer to shift days then as I get my days off singly.

I worked three 12 hour shifts in a row until I was over 70. You really do get used to it. It seems unbearable, at first, but you honestly do get used to it. I even came to prefer it.

[Opti]

Apr 26, 2015 8:13:13 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

1. New people are going to make mistakes. That's just a given. 

2. Like a relationship, they're just not that into you.  Look for a FT elsewhere, somewhere they might appreciate you more.

 YM consensus finally agrees with what I said many threads ago.

Getting FT employment would be better elsewhere.

[Opti]

Apr 26, 2015 8:32:33 GMT -5 Shooby said:

You aren't going to change the culture. If they hire relatives, they hire relatives. And, honestly, most bosses don't want to hear negative stuff. They dont' want employees running to them with their personal issues with other employees. They care about one thing, getting the job done. Period. And, however you have to do that, that is what you do. Some people you work with and some people you work around. And, since there is so much nepotism, going to complain about someone who may have a family tie may even jeopardize your current position. And, as a PT employee, your thoughts on how they should run the company really don't interest them. Sorry to be blunt, but that is generally the truth.

I have some people that are definitely both. Work with and work around. I did complain once about the

FT relative thing, but I did drop it. Not sure what Ymers think, but I wanted the HR person to be reminded I had spoke to her about FT way before her sister was hired.

I'll take guilt if that's what works.  I need to pay my bills until something better happens.

[zibazinski]

My school system never hired volunteers for jobs posted-ever. Because they'd lose them working for free.

[Opti]

FWIW, this is not a family run business but one that nepotism and connections really help. Its part of a couple corporate umbrellas and one of the smallest facilities they have.

[Opti]

Apr 26, 2015 9:03:43 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Apr 26, 2015 9:00:27 GMT -5 Opti said:

I'm 55, I'm not really up to two 12 hour shifts in a row. Reception is covered from 9AM to 9PM

all week. As is I hate when I cover for someone and have to go from closing at 9PM and working

a FT day shift at 9AM.

I'll think on it though, I'd want to get the other PTer to shift days then as I get my days off singly.

I worked three 12 hour shifts in a row until I was over 70. You really do get used to it. It seems unbearable, at first, but you honestly do get used to it. I even came to prefer it.

Not sure if they'd agree to that as it impacts the FT and PT positions that aren't mine.

I am toying with suggesting F night, all day both days and then M night, but it requires the other

PTer to shift her nights. That would bring me from 21 guaranteed hours to 33, but also makes it less

likely I will cover other shifts which might make them stabby.

FWIW, I feel like I'm in retail, they are currently afraid of giving me an extra hours that might get

me at 30 or over. I was told by boss they want the wiggle room for coverage on FTer call outs.

[Opti]

Apr 26, 2015 9:03:43 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Apr 26, 2015 9:00:27 GMT -5 Opti said:

I'm 55, I'm not really up to two 12 hour shifts in a row. Reception is covered from 9AM to 9PM

all week. As is I hate when I cover for someone and have to go from closing at 9PM and working

a FT day shift at 9AM.

I'll think on it though, I'd want to get the other PTer to shift days then as I get my days off singly.

I worked three 12 hour shifts in a row until I was over 70. You really do get used to it. It seems unbearable, at first, but you honestly do get used to it. I even came to prefer it.

I worked 4 10 hour shifts as a UNIX admin. Never preferred it. (It was a longer commute though

and required more thought.)

[mmhmm]

Apr 26, 2015 9:44:26 GMT -5 Opti said:

Apr 26, 2015 9:03:43 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

I worked three 12 hour shifts in a row until I was over 70. You really do get used to it. It seems unbearable, at first, but you honestly do get used to it. I even came to prefer it.

I worked 4 10 hour shifts as a UNIX admin. Never preferred it. (It was a longer commute though

and required more thought.)

Oh, yes. The commute is important when you're working 12 hour shifts. It only took me about 15 minutes to get to the hospital. That made it easy.

[zibazinski]

You need to move on. I think they've made their position clear.