I have no passion for administrative work not in my job description

84% Normal
6 Comments

A few years ago, I was hired to be a programmer at a small Financial firm. About a year and half ago, they fired the secretary and I ended up with her responsibilities in addition to my role as a programmer (so I'm doing the job of 2 people.)

While I see it as my duty to try to complete the secretary work, I don't put much effort towards improving my "secretary" skills. The way I see it, I have a career as Programmer and I will continue to work at learning new skills in that area but not in the area of being an admin assistant.

My boss was not too happy about my performance in the last annual review and almost all of his complaints centered around how I'm not taking the secretary work seriously. Keep in mind I'm the lead programmer for the firm and I'd rather make myself a top performing programmer than a mediocre programmer + mediocre secretary. I remind my boss that I was originally hired to be a programmer and I had no secretary experience on my resume, and I prioritize learning and improving my skills in that area over administrative skills, and if he doesn't like it, he needs to hire a new secretary rather than have his best programmer take on these additional burdens. He did not seem pleased with my response but he added that the company is facing financial difficulties and cannot afford a secretary.

Voting Results
84% Normal
Based on 31 votes (26 yes)
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Comments ( 6 )
  • (.)(.)boobies
    9 years ago

    I think you have every right to feel that way, it makes sense. Not that I see being a "secretary" as a second-rate career for everyone (my mother has always been one and happy doing it), but it's not the career YOU were trained for and hired for.

    Your boss thought he could get something for free, and of course he's pissed that it's not possible in the long term. Bravo to you, for rationally pointing that out to him. Perhaps he will be able to afford a new secretary sometime in the near future. Maybe he could hire a new secretary with less experience who has a good work ethic, in order to pay them less but still give them the opportunity for employment and experience.

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  • RoseIsabella
    9 years ago

    I think your feelings are completely normal. It's strange enough having the words passion and administrative in the same sentence.

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  • [Old Memory]
    9 years ago

    I would feel the same way.

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  • handsignals
    9 years ago

    'secretary skills' to me that means blow jobs...what has porn done to me :.(

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  • agoodlovejoy
    7 years ago

    I believe the secretary recieved a sacrifucial termination. Trust me she is still being paid and probably was offered a job elsewhere. Your boss is under alot of hot water because his job is on the line. Oh I hear cover up written all over this.
    DID right speaking up for yourself. NOW you can add secretarial/clerical experience to your resume. In the mean time I feel you can start gathering info you need for a lawsuit just incase you are next to be replaced through the company' s so called financial hardship. This is your ticket to job security. Happened to me. I know he annoys you but consider this ....you succeed in your work and the secretary's pretty soon your marketing will make you the boss. YOU HOLD ON WITH YOUR FEELINGS NO TIME FOR THAT!! NOW YOU SEE HIS WEAKNESS!! Use it. Im sure your mother would tell you the same. Then call me. I can be your secretary

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  • thegypsysailor
    9 years ago

    Several things come to mind, here. You say you are "the lead programmer"; are you the only programmer? Were you given the secretary position because you are a woman and the other programmers are men? In order for a small company to survive these days it may require employees to wear many hats; are you the only one doing "double duty"?
    I knew several corporate pilots who flew beautiful private jets for their companies, but when not flying were required to go to the office, just like a regular employee, and do such menial tasks as filing (true, VERY well paid file clerks, to be sure, but file clerks, none the less). I, for one, could not have done that. Should my job as corporate yacht captain required that, I would not have stayed.
    So I guess it's up to you. If you think you can find a better job, then you should move on. If not, I'd be the best secretary and the best lead programmer I could be, and stop complaining.

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