asking secretaries to do things

[sandra]

maybe because i'm young or ...i'm not sure why...but i've always been reluctant to ask my secretaries to do things for me even when it is part of their duties. i just don't see why i would ask them when it's so easy for me to just do it on my own. e.g., i can make my own copies. it is more convenient with their help, but sometimes i'm afraid of coming across as a user or power tripper or just plain bossy. does anyone else feel this way?

[deez nuts]

it's their job, they're getting paid to do it.

[>:^|]

You're a lawyer now and not a clerk
For whom the secretaries are paid to work
When you do things others should do
It takes time away from you
Just make sure that you're never a jerk. :wink:

[Rogmok]

Isn't it more of a billing issue?? Like a client doesn't want to pay a lawyer 300/ hour to make copies.

[teaz0r]

no. they're there for a reason.
plus the phone doesn't answer itself.

[deez nuts]

it's actually kinda condescending to ask them not to do their job. why would you be reluctant to ask? they're making an honest living.

[kboy75]

as long as you say thank you it's all good.

[sandra]

sometimes they're my friends. it's hard for me to tell my friends to do things for me.

[Chris]

Trust me as a legal assistant. The secretaries sometimes DO want things to do. Make them useful. If they are swamped and can't do it. Just say okay and i can get it done. But thanks them aways. They will always want to feel apperiate.

Heck I even give some of the letters to the secretaries who sits outside of my office to do for me.

And she older than me and my buddy, we go out to lunch together. ^_^

[deez nuts]

sometimes they're my friends. it's hard for me to tell my friends to do things for me.


you should seperate personal relationships in the work place. co-workers at the work place. friends outside of it.

[Emperor_Mike]

When I was working as an IS consultant I had to ask secretaries to do things all the time. So long as you keep it within reason, it's fine. Asking them to run out to buy you lunch for example, is a no-no for me. But some of my temporary co-workers did just that.

[Chester]

you should seperate personal relationships in the work place. co-workers at the work place. friends outside of it.
Ditto, though you might have to exercise some extra sensitivity around the office.

But...anyway...you'll get used to it. It just takes time to feel comfortable with the defining of new duties.

[tommyhtown]

There were times when I asked administrative assistants to make restaurant reservations, or order take-out for the team in the past. I just didn't have the time to do it myself. They seemed cool about it. Plus, I always brought them something from lunch or told them to order food for themself also.

[Arex]

sometimes they're my friends. it's hard for me to tell my friends to do things for me.

I personally find it kind of weird "telling" my secretary to do things. So I always phrase it as a question. As in, "could you please call...?" And of course, always following any request with a "thank you" is imperative.

At my old firm, since we did mostly Plaintiffs' work, it wasn't as much of an issue if I did all my own copies and stuff. At my newer job, where I'm working for cheapskate insurance companies, I'm still getting used to making requests of my "legal assistant" a.k.a. secretary.

Just like any member of the workforce, secretaries also prefer to be working at the office than just sitting around feeling un or underutilized. Just think of how you'd feel if every partner you worked for decided to do their own research, law & motion and discovery. You'd probably wonder why they aren't giving you work and might even conclude that maybe they don't think you're competent. Not to mention the fact that you'd be out of a job.

RX

Alex

[rice cracker]

I was a receptionist at a real estate company and while I totally didn't mind being asked to do stuff, some of the people really seemed to get off on demanding the most trivial things. So it is really important to keep your requests within reason, like don't ask them to fill the paper tray when the goddamn paper is sitting right next to the copier (sorry, still a bit bruised from some of these experiences) and asking nicely and saying thank you.