Is it normal to be blind-sided at work constantly?

Anonymous

August 16,2022 at 7:27PM UTC

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Is it normal to be blind-sided at work constantly?

I've been working at a community college for 8 months as an Admin Assistant to a VP and I was so excited for the opportunity, but there have been a lot of things that have happened that's making me want to run for the hills! I've listed everything that's been going on so it's not too confusing ?

1) Upon starting the job, I found out that I'd receive no real training because the one person who was in my role retired.

The exec assistant was supposed to train me, but moved departments 1 month after I started

2)My paycheck was wayyy less than I thought I'd be making (HR showed me medical benefits but not CalPERS being taken out).

3) The school I work for has no written procedures really, so a great deal of what's done is archaic and everyone's response is "that's the way it's done".

4) I'm constantly told of new tasks from different departments that I do, my department does, or extra steps taken for something I didn't know about. These procedures were also made when the department I worked for was twice the size it is, and they expect us to carry the same load.

5) My original boss, who also hired me, decided to leave due to extreme stress, and issues with how the school is run.

Is it normal to feel this blindsided by a job so often?

Being an Admin Assistant isn't my dream job, and I'm trying to stick it out for a year.

It's just so hard with all these things plus I just moved, and I am commuting 40 - 45 minutes coming and going to work.

My mom and fiancée have also noticed a decline in my attitude outside of work.

I'm trying to figure out if it's worth me sticking out or to start looking for something else.

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AnonymousAugust 16,2022 at 9:16PM UTC
I don't think being blindsided at work is normal. However, it does happen. I recently posted on here about starting my new tech consulting job only to find out they wanted me to supervise an 80 person helpdesk to cover someone leaving. It was temporary but still nothing I would have applied for (I was pretty bitter). I stuck it out, learned some things and am in a much better place now. I would start documenting the work/tasks that keep blindsiding you. They clearly had no idea what they were hiring for and are not paying you for all the added work. Schedule time to present the added work to your boss regularly. Take deep breaths and remind yourself that you are going above and beyond.
AnonymousAugust 16,2022 at 10:10PM UTC
Hi thank you for taking the time to comment and for this advice.
You're right! I'm glad you're in a much better place by the way :) I hope to be there soon! lol.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistAugust 16,2022 at 9:31PM UTC
Stick it out for what?
AnonymousAugust 16,2022 at 10:08PM UTC
Hi Joan,
Thank you for taking the time to comment! I was given the advice that with my cool job title to stick it out for a year.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistAugust 16,2022 at 11:45PM UTC
I'm sorry - I don't understand your comment.
What does the job title have to do with anything and what would you be "sticking it out" for?
KatAugust 17,2022 at 4:04PM UTC
I don't know what "cool job title" you are referring to in the admin support area, as I can't think of any. That's not a reason to stay, especially since you said admin support isn't where you see yourself long term. I know many people think you must stay in a job one year so you don't look like a "job hopper". However, that advice is outdated and doesn't reflect the realities of the current job market. The job doesn't seem to be a good fit for you, so it's time to start looking for something better suited to your skills and long term goals. Sticking it out will just make you unhappy and continue to elevate your stress levels. It's not worth it.
AnonymousAugust 17,2022 at 12:39AM UTC
This is about what I would expect in that type of environment. Community colleges are always bootstrapping it, they never have sufficient resources for the workload (especially administrative support) and that's combined with lifers who just make it up as they go along with completely random tasks dumped on them (not that I blame them - they're in survival mode). When these institutional paragons retire, it's left to their successor to dig through stacks of creatively filed paperwork and guess at how recurring but random duties were completed.
If you thrive on turning chaos into order and love an interesting challenge, this is a role you can make your own. If you choose to stay, tackle processes one at a time, set a goal for how much ancient paperwork you want to review/purge each week, and document each process as you clean it up so your successor will be able to step into a functional position.
If this is not your idea of a good time, start looking for something else now because this isn't going to get better. There are a million and one annual reports that you will be asked for at the last minute, additional tasks that your predecessor just agreed to do beyond all reason, and a general kitchen sink mentality that is well-entrenched in that environment.
The money is a separate issue and can certainly be addressed under the concept that A, B, and C weren't part of the original job description, and if you are going to have that wider scope of responsibility, you need to be paid accordingly.
Good luck!
AnonymousAugust 19,2022 at 5:25AM UTC
Spot on!
Higher Ed (and education for that matter) only pay minimal lip service (and pay) for administrative support. I should know, I’m one. Education is notorious for last/minute dumping of extra work with no training and being constantly blind-sided. Learn to find your voice and set very strong boundaries; you’ll need it, whether you decide to stay or go. Best of luck to you!
SerenaAugust 17,2022 at 1:23AM UTC
I was blindsided by a job that I thought was going to be an amazing opportunity where I can make an impact on the start-up business. I thought they hired me for a role that was similar to one I had previously, and I ended up having to do my job and be a receptionist for the owner's other business because people kept quitting. In the end the fired me because I had my baby two months early and could not return to work three days after my emergency c-section. From this experience I learned that my loyalty and dedication mean nothing to anyone and to most employers we are 100% replaceable.
IntentionGirl136408August 17,2022 at 12:13PM UTC
This job sounds like a terrible fit.
Also, I would say you need to have a sit-down with the new boss and clarify what IS and IS NOT your responsibility. I'd use these examples as ways the position has grown to be more (double?) than what you signed on for. I would then present them with a revised job description, and salary.
If you are doing more work than the original job description promised, you should be paid more than the original salary offered.
Don't make it emotional or personal. Just stay calm and be factual.
If they decline to increase the salary, I would have a specific conversation about what you will be cutting from your workload.
Good luck to you!!
AnonymousAugust 17,2022 at 2:12PM UTC
Sounds like it’s in your best interest to find something else closer to home with less responsibilities. Even if they decide to delegate some of what you have been doing, you will likely have to take on the training of those new people. Training others while doing your job is gonna drag you down. Plus, would you then have to continue supervising these people assisting you or would they then become your peers? & would a significant raise be coming your way? Lots to consider if you plan to stay.
AnonymousAugust 17,2022 at 11:34PM UTC
Start applying and see if you can find something else. You don't have to stay for a full year. Hopefully, you can find something more stable that pays better.
Rynn StrangeAugust 31,2022 at 12:06PM UTC
I would agree that you should be looking into other positions. In the meantime, be proactive and prove your worth where you are. Look for ways to streamline the processes that you know about and perhaps institute a communication process to field all the additional tasks requested/demanded of you. You can use those efforts in the next interview/position you accept.