it is great to have this blog here. i can pretty much put anything in it because i really don't believe anyone is reading it. though i still try to not mention exact names or go into anything that i think would expose another, it is still nice to be able to vent online - my hand gets cramps from writing and then i can't read what i wrote. so with that said
i realize this job situation will blow over. and i am not certain i even put down what was going on. it went something like this:
Wednesday, April 06, 2011 11:02 AM
To: Rebecca Lagola
I need your help here… looking at what the front desk looks like-
Can you tell me what all you do between 8am and 9am every morning?
Wednesday, April 06, 2011 11:37 AM
I make coffee, clean out the dishwasher, go through files and set up my day’s activities, open the office doors to circulate air, and generally make certain the lights, tvs, and other things are on and in running order.
Wednesday, April 06, 2011 11:42 AM
Okay! That makes sense! I have a question for you… what would you think about moving your hours from 8:30am – 5:30 pm? In light of the Evening Receptionist changes, we’ve noticed a real need for more consistent front desk coverage after 5pm.
Would you still be able to do all of your duties in 30 min? Realistically some of that stuff really shouldn’t even be your job. I know you just do it so that it gets done J (that was a smilie face)
From: Rebecca Lagola
Wednesday, April 06, 2011 11:51 AM
How long would the change of hours be for? I do realize much of that is not my “job” but there is not anyone that will step up and do those things so I save myself the complaints and people hassling me about things in the office because I get it done before they even think about it.
I seriously value my time in the morning when no one is here to interrupt me and people start showing up around 8.30.
Also I have class Wednesday and need more of a break than 30 min.
So all that to say I am willing to do so for a short stint but would like to keep the “real” schedule from 8-5. Would this change be for good or a time frame to cover until there is an evening receptionist?
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 11:59 AM
Well, here’s where the “rub” is… the evening receptionist position has only ever been part-time, meaning that they can’t come in before 5pm or they won’t have enough hours to finish out the week. That being said- I think we could work around the nights you have class… maybe get someone else to cover, but what that means is that at 5pm, the desk is sitting empty while the evening receptionist is setting up classrooms! No good.
It sounds like this has been a problem for a while, but not having a receptionist has really brought it to light. I completely understand you valuing your time in the morning, and I want to be amenable to keeping your schedule as convenient for you as possible, but this is a necessary shift.
To compensate for the time shift, the directors have agreed to help make it so that you have at least one 10-minute break a day away from the desk (we do not live in a perfect world, but they said they’d try their darndest J) (that was another smilie face.. each J = smilie face :).)
Technically, even if you work 8:30-5:30 Mon to Thursday, and 8:30-3:00 Friday you’re not working your full requirement of 40 hours/week. I know it’s not the most pleasant of changes, but I think it’s best for the school…
From: Rebecca Lagola
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 1:37 PM
Hmm sounds as though the decision has been made. The reference to having assistance from the directors sounds as though I really have no say.
My understanding of the office manager position was an 8-5 shift. Lou would be leaving at 5 and I would be coming in to open classrooms. My understanding was that the office “closed” at 5 so any voice mails left I would return or forward to the correct voice mail.
I am glad to do what is best for the school, the challenge is whether there is enough phone traffic being missed from 5 to 5.30 or 6 to warrant a change in my schedule. I am curious if there is the phone traffic, would there be any way to track it over the next week or two before enforcing a change in my schedule?
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 3:04 PM
I’ve thought about this, and I really think we should initiate this change, and then reassess in the future (maybe in a month or so.) You know as well as anyone that consistency at the front desk is critical to our success in AGS, and you bear a bigger burden than anyone else in that area!
I truly believe this is what’s best for AGS, and I think you’re the gal we want in that position during the transition time! Get me your class schedule, and on nights you have class, we’ll get someone else to cover the desk between 5-5:30pm. Please also plan (moving forward) to just let the Evening Receptionist know when you’re leaving for the day. That will help avoid confusion.
Let’s start the “schedule shift” Monday, April 18th. I’ve got the front desk covered from 5-6pm until then. You’re more than welcome to continue coming in at 8, if you need some early morning solitude, but 8:30 will be sufficient!
Thanks for being a trooper on this. I know it’s not Ideal, but I really appreciate your willingness in light of the fact that it is what’s best for the school!
Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 9:16 AM
To: Rebecca Lagola
Didn’t hear back from you on this yesterday… did you get it?
From: Rebecca Lagola
Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 10:51 AM
I would rather communicate about this face to face than through email.
Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 12:25 PM
Happy to do that, but I intentionally wanted an email trail to follow-up with… when’s a good time to chat?
Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 1:11 PM
To: Rebecca Lagola
Subject: Re: Front Desk...
I won't be there until next week. Seems a long time to wait... Maybe I can get Kent to cover the front desk this afternoon so we can chat! :0)
Lemme work on it!
On Apr 7, 2011, at 1:04 PM, "Rebecca Lagola"wrote:
Anytime you are here would be good.
Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 1:26 PM
I would prefer face to face if that is ok.
Sounds good – I am guessing we will be here? And is that tomorrow, because I have a Dr appt at 3.15 and have to leave by 3.
Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 4:02 PM
To: Rebecca Lagola
I’ll do you one better… had an awesome talk with HR today, and the three of us will chat around 2pm on Friday, 4/15! We need to get some measures in place to be sure we’re safeguarding you and being good stewards of our policies and procedures!
Don’t worry, I think you’ll like what we’ve come up with! Change is not always easy, but usually good J
so with that said - or copied and pasted - i realize the changes are going into effect. that is fine, just hated the way it went down. and i am guessing - which i have been known to be wrong often - that the lady x is behind this schedule change, it rubs me again. and again.. lol.
i admit i am a little fearful that with hr being involved this is going to still come back on me somehow. i just don't know what i am afraid of. i am afraid that admitting i am upset will make me look like a baby and weak. i am afraid of giving the wrong impression. i am afraid of rejection so harsh i would be let go from my job. this is again a situation that only God can calm. i have gone through this before with the vp threatening me, and i had to give it to Him and realize that i am doing what needs to be done to the best of my ability. therefore He will continue to guide my steps. it is the same thing again, just a different face.
God, will You care for me in this situation? i need help letting x go, letting the animosity i think she has toward me be erased from the equation. i want to love her because You love her.
this change is not my preference, but i have enough experience with You to know that You bring good out of every situation. i will be looking for Your hand throughout this experience. i just don't want to be too selfish or demanding, i sure don't want to be viewed in a negative way. i am horrible in situations where meshing needs happens and tend to sacrifice what is good for me and my health to appease others and then am so unhappy and miserable which makes me sick. what do i truly need? is it that i resist the change because i don't like it and then that rejection of another idea makes me feel ill?
this is not a simple problem - i presume it has a simple answer because with You nothing is complicated. i will do my best to rely on You through this process.