Let's say you were a multi state licensee in charge of your department. For many years, you have reported to the owners. Now let's say that suddenly, a new secretary was hired, and in effect, you have to report to this new person. How would you take such a thing?
Is the secretary just some random person or do they have ties to the owners like family or something?
Are the owners wanting to become less involved in the business and maybe hired this person to lighten their workload?
Fortunately a manual has been prepared for this situation :
http://fullreads.com/literature/the-catbird-seat/
Seriously, I would hate it and I do hope the best for you.
I've kinda been in that situation in family businesses. I'd tend to take the bull by the horns and go ask the owners some directed and deliberate questions. Maybe over lunch and away from office distractions. Don't invite the secretary/manager.
Just be prepared to back up whatever you may suggest as a solution to what seems to be an understandable problem. I would certainly be updating my resume, just in case.
good luck
If this person is just a pass-through, I wouldn't worry about it too much.
If you have to literally answer to or take direction/order from this person, then like Wayne G. said - update the resume. I would probably take some offense in that regard.
Business owners who are effective are 1) very busy people and 2) big picture people. Putting someone in that position to act as a buffer and a filter is probably a pretty common occurrence. As someone already stated, if that person is mainly a pass through then it's probably not a big deal. He or she might even be a gate keeper, but I can't imagine a situation where ownership wouldn't want to be in direct contact with a department head.
You should have to deal with the administrative manager and comply with her wishes on issues of admin and finance, such as electronic files, reports, billing, etc...
Your operational chain of command should be an industry professional.
As long as she isn't trying to tell you how to research, draft, or change your survey techniques & procedures that you have in place, there shouldn't be a problem. If the owner has her issue a company policy that directs a certain action to be completed on all projects, then that is an industry professional making the change in policy.
"Now let's say that suddenly, a new secretary was hired, and in effect, you have to report to this new person. How would you take such a thing?"
You are being given the option to resign or be fired.
> Let's say you were a multi state licensee in charge of your department. For many years, you have reported to the owners. Now let's say that suddenly, a new secretary was hired, and in effect, you have to report to this new person. How would you take such a thing?
What exactly is the problem?
"What exactly is the problem?"
My thoughts exactly! What difference does it make who you "report to"? What exactly are you "reporting"?
What does your subject line have to do with your post?
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> What does your subject line have to do with your post?
My thoughts exactly, I can't draw the correlation either.
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> > What does your subject line have to do with your post?
>
> My thoughts exactly, I can't draw the correlation either.
I read it this way: in is this Business Climate (hard to find or keep a job) what would you feel like if you were told to talk to a secretary first.(disconnected from the Boss)
no?
What may have been meant was office dynamics
> You are being given the option to resign or be fired.
I'm with others below. Don't really see a terrible problem, aside from getting a bit butt hurt. Just trying to help the man who seems to have his proverbial hands full. I think we've all lived through that. Writing on the wall.
PLS in multi states, must have some connections and knows the rules. hmmmmmm
Me, I'd be looking for $40K to start up my own shop, buy some basic equipment, and bid adieu. Don't forget to take some of those clients with you. Oh wait, I've done that.
Report as in "the person you give backlog, staff utilization, projections for future manpower and equipment needs to". Then I don't see a problem, in fact maybe the owners have more time to be out doing what owners do...kissing clients and potential clients asses.
Report as in: "in the corporate hierarchy you're one of her direct reports". Then that, my friend, is no secretary.
> Report as in "the person you give backlog, staff utilization, projections for future manpower and equipment needs to". Then I don't see a problem, in fact maybe the owners have more time to be out doing what owners do...kissing clients and potential clients asses.
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> Report as in: "in the corporate hierarchy you're one of her direct reports". Then that, my friend, is no secretary.
What James says to me sounds more like a "director of operations" or something similar. Certainly not a secretarial post by any means.
> Me, I'd be looking for $40K to start up my own shop, buy some basic equipment, and bid adieu. Don't forget to take some of those clients with you. Oh wait, I've done that.
That's pretty much what I did 21 years ago when faced with a similar situation. It was the right thing to do in my case.
"What exactly is the problem?"
:good: :good: :good:
I don't know many companies that still employ secretaries.
Makes me wonder about the mindset of the OP.
"secretary" was the word used in the original post that's what I was going with.