What are your thoughts?

28 Comments

1. AnonymousMarch 2,2025 at 4:52PM UTC

   As an assistant, you can have the items there for them to serve themselves.

2. AnonymousMarch 2,2025 at 4:57PM UTC

   If they ask you to set up the beverages on a side table, it's one thing. If they ask you to physically serve the clients, it's completely different and likely not what they are paying you to do. From the way you worded this, I am assuming the second.

   How this impacts your opportunity to extend your tenure to a permanent position depends on the firm's culture. If it is a good-old-boy firm where all the assistants are women and expected to host and wait on clients, then yes, it will probably impact you. If they are more relaxed and have a diverse workforce where women are consultants, they will probably overlook it and get the message. By the way, most job postings won't list these types of duties unless it is specifically a serving (waitstaff) position and considered it covered in the "other duties as assigned" category.

3. EmpoweredGirl397965March 2,2025 at 5:05PM UTC

   I would tell the employer (assuming it is a staffing agency) that they are giving you responsibilities outside of the job posting

4. AnonymousMarch 2,2025 at 5:30PM UTC

   Serving coffee and water to external clients for a pre-arranged meeting isn’t out if the realm for support staff. I’m an executive assistant and will do so (and even offer water/coffee) to external clients when they visit. We’re talking bottled water and Keurigs, not firing up the old-school coffee makers and pouring water into glasses without leaving the pitcher behind. If this were your boss asking you to get them water/coffee on the regular, especially if you gave to go outside, then I would oblige, yet buy myself a drink, and bring back their beverage and the remaining change.

5. AnonymousMarch 2,2025 at 8:16PM UTC

   Hi

   Make friends with the receptionist and the personal assistants within the company.

   Normally the receptionist and personal assistants should provide coffee tea / offer this to guest or clients waiting. As they are the first to greet the clients.

   It is common courtesy to ask if anyone wants a drink or tea if you are leading a meeting.

   However,.when I used to be a finance assistant I used to ask the receptionist

   I initially checked what the atmosphere of the company was and saw this is what the receptionist used to do. I was not imposing / asking them to do anything outside of their role

6. Regina BrownMarch 2,2025 at 8:45PM UTC

   Unless this is part of the contract, it should not affect the possibility of permanent position. You may want to add the title and description to your " job duties" and start inquire about these additional duties that have been added to the job duties you have already been contracted for.

   My guess is that someone has already mentioned something about the "job duties" which is why you have not been contacted since.

7. Dereasa Daniels (Reese)March 2,2025 at 9:07PM UTC

   If this wasn't in the job description, then I would definitely address this issue. Thats something that can be giving to the administrative staff.

8. Barb HansenMarch 3,2025 at 5:11AM UTC

   The next time this comes up, I would say:

   "Serving beverages isn’t part of my role—my job is to provide financial assistance and support. However, I’d be happy to set up a rotating schedule for you all so you can share the responsibility of preparing and tidying the meeting room when clients visit."

9. AnonymousMarch 3,2025 at 12:57PM UTC

   Can you just prepare these things in advance and have them available in the conference room? Honestly, I don't see the big deal, I have offered up refreshments to outside guests on occasion. Ordered snacks/refreshments to be available. Various things of that nature. Just don't ask me to actually make coffee. As a non-coffee drinker, I have no clue how to do so.

10. GirlBossanova934974March 3,2025 at 2:44PM UTC

    I think this is a very stupid policy on the part of your male counterparts. You're still doing this stuff in 2025? Really!?? I would simply get some nice bottled waters and order out Starbucks coffee (large container)and have it ready for the guests when they arrive. No waitering here. Self serve and thank you for coming in.

11. AnonymousMarch 3,2025 at 7:51PM UTC

    First of all, there's nothing wrong with offering beverages to clients. However, I would create a coffee/water station for the guests to fix it themselves. I'm not fixing someone a cup of coffee (unless you're a guest in my home). I'm from the south though and the first thing we ask when you enter our home is, may I get you something to drink? But that's in my home and I'm the hostess. But these days at work to be asked that is very odd to me. Is this what your boss meant? I started working in the 80's when women were truly belittled, so if something is said, just tell your boss, you know I'm happy to put items out so they can feel welcomed and know a beverage is nearby should they wish to fix themselves a drink.

12. AnonymousMarch 3,2025 at 8:42PM UTC

    This is usually a function of the admin or assistant supporting that group. If you are not part of an admin team then the task would fall to you. So, yes, this, I would say, will impact your chances.

13. AnonymousMarch 3,2025 at 8:55PM UTC

    I'm going against the grain on this one: serve the beverages. And if you refuse...yes, it will negatively impact your chances of getting hired permanently.

    I work for a Fortune 25 company, I sit in an executive role and hold an MBA. I'm a leader in my field. I host several events each year for C-suite members and senior executives. When they're participating in my meeting, I do everything possible to make them feel welcome. I've ordered and picked up cookie trays, brought people bottles or water and made sure they have plates and napkins. Nothing is beneath me.

    You have some stop gap actions, as others have mentioned, before you pull out the: "that's not part of my job description." Set up a beverage station, put a few bottles of water or a coffee urn out. Or figure out if your company has an events teams that can assemble food and beverages for you.

    If you like the role, hope to get hired permanently, and want to start working on more finance-related items...check this box.

    I also print my own FedEx forms, take mail to the post office and help visiting executives. It's an amazing opportunity to be helpful, network, and connect with my senior colleagues 1:1.

14. Jennifer RadosevichMarch 5,2025 at 1:39PM UTC

    Yes. This.

15. AnonymousMarch 4,2025 at 12:16AM UTC

    My vote is you're an assistant, people are trusting your company with their money. Seems like a little water and coffee is appropriate.

16. AnonymousMarch 5,2025 at 2:23PM UTC

    Finance assistant not office assistant or admin assistant. So if its not in their JD they shouldn't be doing it. No wonder some women can't catch a break if we have other women out here saying you're an assistant go fetch, without checking the details.

17. AnonymousMarch 7,2025 at 5:45PM UTC

    The OP should dig her heels in on putting some water bottles our as "not part of their job description." Then she'll be back on FGB in a few months complaining that her temp assignment never became permanent. Get real! Few of us have the luxury to refuse work assignments because they're not in our JD.

18. AnonymousMarch 4,2025 at 1:37AM UTC

    Say no.

19. AnonymousMarch 4,2025 at 12:57PM UTC

    Try some of these.

    "I’m happy to help where I can, but that falls outside my role. I’d recommend reaching out to [appropriate person or department] for this."

    "That’s outside my usual responsibilities, but I can help point you in the right direction."

    "I want to make sure this is handled by the right person. Since this isn’t within my scope, I’d suggest checking with [name/department]."

    "I’d love to support, but that’s not something I’m responsible for. Let me know if you need help finding the right person to assist."

20. AnonymousMarch 4,2025 at 3:08PM UTC

    This happened to me early in my career. I was just honest and said I was not comfortable. And had support

21. AnonymousMarch 4,2025 at 3:27PM UTC

    Is preparing meeting space in your job description?

22. AnonymousMarch 4,2025 at 3:44PM UTC

    The sad truth is that I highly doubt if you were a male finance assistant that you'd be expected to fetch and serve water and coffee. Create a set up of beverages and whatever in the meeting room prior to the gatherings. Done and done.

23. AnonymousMarch 4,2025 at 4:41PM UTC

    Are you an administrative/executive assistant in the finance department, or are you in an actual finance role?

    If the latter, no. You should not be serving coffee. That’s gross.

    If the former, then, unfortunately, it’s sometimes a part of the job, because you’re an extension of your manager, who is hosting guests. For larger meetings, it’s ultimately easier to set up a coffee/water station and people can grab their own. If your manager is having a guest in their office, you’ll likely be making a quick cup or grabbing a water.

24. AnonymousMarch 4,2025 at 5:17PM UTC

    This is actually a great distinction totally be able to answer the question appropriately.

    Your role as an “assistant” if administrative in capacity could certainly mean making clients have a great experience could fall to you for some things. But you certainly shouldn’t be waiting on grown people hand and foot during a meeting when they’re perfectly capable of pouring their own beverages. But setting up coffee/water and ensuring everything in the meeting space is available seems reasonable.

    But if you’re also part of the finance or deal team, and especially if you’re the only woman, you shouldn’t be solely responsible for serving. Me you can let your team know you’re happy to help get the meeting space prepared but that continuous serving isn’t appropriate for your role & it doesn’t give the clients the right impression either. They should be aware of how that looks to have the only woman acting like a server in a professional establishment.

25. AnonymousMarch 5,2025 at 1:30PM UTC

    I am in a HR executive role and that role is to do what is needed to support the organization, there is nothing that isn't part of my job description. And that is the attitude that has got me to this level. I will always offer/serve water or coffee to clients and customers that walk in to meet with whomever if people need some help. I will walk into reception when the receptionist isnt' there and greet people and find who they are meeting with. I will clean up the kitchen after an employee lunch because someone has to do it. Don't ever feel like something is not part of your job. They aren't asking you to get them coffee, they are asking you to help out to prepare the minor details for meetings so they can get the important stuff together. Do you want to be seen as someone who rolls up their sleeves and pitches in or the one who says that not part of my job? I know which assistant I would want working for me.

26. AnonymousMarch 5,2025 at 2:16PM UTC

    It's called " Other duties as assigned." I have fulfilled many different types of jobs in HR and every role regardless of level included administrative tasks that are not in the job description. You do what you need to do so that they see that you are willing and flexible. You do not get a second chance to make a first impression. Making a decision to say no would impact your chances at a permanent role. Generationally speaking, be wary of biases our younger workforce often contend with that they won't work hard. I wish you the best of luck!

27. AnonymousMarch 5,2025 at 7:47PM UTC

    If the salary is ok, continue with this theater. I think that you have to find the way of getting information about climbing to a better position..

    I see your work conditions as an opportunity and also as a diminishing one

    If you have another job quick the one that not validate you.

28. Serena GarnerMarch 5,2025 at 8:47PM UTC

    In all job roles, my pet peeve is someone saying "that's not my job." It IS your job if you are asked to do it (unless it is illegal or immoral.)