P/A or Secretary??

[Ashlea]

I love my job, really I do. Lately I am starting to get a little P/Oed. My boss is placing allot of demands on me, like contacting me at 11.30 pm. He is overseas right now and I have to text him with details and I am getting angry as it is my phone and airtime I am using. We are talking about 10 text messages a day!

I am not getting paid enough to make ends meet and I feel like I am more than just a secretary.

I would not mind going the extra mile for him if I could go out with my friends and maybe buy some clothes every now and then, but right now I am living like a hobo!

I can't even afford electricity so I am freezing through winter. I know I have to ask for a raise, how do I go about this. I am literally spending more then I earn every month! I don't even buy nice things for myself, it is all essentails like food and cleaning products and petrol!

What do I do??

 

[Kama]

What do I do??

How about finding something else that compensates you adequately for your skills?

 

[Zoom]

I would first start off by keeping a log of your airtime spent on him and get reimbursed for that. Then, tell him that since you are such a hard-working assest to his company, you hate to talk 'dirty' but you can't afford to make ends meet. You'd love to stay there, but as it stands right now, you simply can't afford to. See if he meets you with a better offer. Of course, I would try to have a better offer to show him if he asks, so if he just shrugs and says 'sorry' you do have something to move on to.

Good luck!

 

[Renee750il]

Zoom's given you great advice there. Put your resume together and start looking.

Now, calling someone a PA is how most managers/execs get by with expanding your job description and what they expect of you without compensating you for all the added responsibilities.

One of the criminal defense attorneys I used to work for called me at all hours, and I found myself burning the candle at both ends on many, many occasions - like every single time we had a case that went to trial - but he compensated me well, and always made sure I had very liberal bonuses. He even insisted on putting tires, brakes, etc. on my car!

 

[Ashlea]

Renee - Now is what I am talking about. I really don't mind going the extra mile. I am a hard worker. Right now I feel like I am slacking because I feel demotivated. It would be really nice to be able to go out with my friends and maybe buy clothes every now and again.

It is frustrating to work as hard as I am and not have anything to show for it!

 

[Barley'sMom]

I'd make a list of everything that you do, everything that you've accomplished, and 5 great reasons why you deserve a raise. Also make a copy of your phone records, so that he can compensate you for the phone charges.
I'd present them to him in a professional manner, and give him a copy of the list. The worst he can do is say no (and then you should start updating that resume!). While it sucks that you are struggling financially, if he's a business guy, rather than an emotional person, he'll respond better to solid proof of your "worth" to him.

Good luck!