I See Crazy People

About a year ago the location of where I set at work was changed. I was on good terms with the assistant I was paired up with previously but it's not like we would chat or socialize too much. Once I got moved I was cordial saying 'hello' when I passed by but never stopped to chat with her. She's nice enough but we have nothing in common. I found out the other day that she has decided that because I don't stop and chat with her now, it means I don't like her. So it's either gossip and share my personal life or become and adversary. I don't get it - I never chatted or joked around with her when I sat near her so I don't know why, since I moved, this has come to mean I don't like her. People are strange.

I also found out the she and this other assistant have been talking negatively about me behind my back. This is all so childish. But the worst part is when people have stupid reasons for taking issue with somebody and then want to go to people in power to get you in trouble. I don't think there is really too much they can say about me - haven't heard of them trying to get me in trouble as of yet. Though I know they've done it to others.
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Update on the Re-Design at My Job

While I was initially really bothered by the change in my title and assignment at my job, I have come to terms with it. What makes it better is that the Partner I support is making a concerted effort to ensure that who I've been newly assigned to changes. He is trying to get my assignment to be filled with people that work closely with him. That way I still will be doing work for him even if I am no longer officialy his assistant.

I must admit I went into his e-mail inbox to see what he wrote and what kind of response he received (I can access his e-mails from my own laptop). And he didn't write a quick one liner - as he is prone to do. He wrote a paragraph about how much there is going on with the client he is global relationship partner for (I don't want to mention client on my blog) and the work would be too much of a strain to transfer to his new EA. He built me up to sound like such an asset, I realize that is partially to ensure he gets his way. But it still felt good that he would make effort.

They made changes but it wasn't exactly to his liking so he wrote another e-mail and detailing what he want changed. He said he said that if there are hurdles getting in the way of her effectively changing my assignment to his liking to let him know what the hurdles are and he'll see what he can do to get them out of the way. He also added that "as you can see I'm not going to give up". He's really making a concerted effort to keep me around - so I can still assist him.

It makes me feel good that he's making this kind of effort. I am also glad that while who I technically support and report to has changed it's basically going to be the same as it has been. I worked and interacted with these people already when I was my Partner's EA so it's really not going to be much different.
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Change in Title at My Job

I just found out that they're making me a Team Assistant instead of Executive Assistant. The primary difference is I'll be working for Directors and Managers instead of Partners. All along they've been telling us the roles are compareable with just a different focus. But come to find out Team Assistant is a 3N rated jobe whereas an EA is a 4N. I guess in the end it doesn't really matter because it was explained to me that if I reach the salary cap for the 3N that they'll give a lump sum instead of a percentage raise.

They gave me this song and dance about how proactive I am with a strong skill set as well as the ability to multi-task and because I'm so compitent I'm bing "rewarded" with this lower rated title that they've been telling us for so long was compareable to Executive Assistant. Kind of hard to believe they think so highly of my skill set when they're giving me a 3N job down from the 4N level I had.

Another bad point is Directors and below give very little at Christmas time where as my Partner was good for $500 every Christmas.

On the upside I don't have to work for this annoying Director I have, on the down side I don't know any of the 15 people I've been given to support and could get somebody worse. 3-4 of the Directors I'll be supporting are female and female bosses aren't the greatest to have. It's just a fact that it's not uncommon for them to be inconsistant with expectations so you're always trying to guess what they want. And female bosses are less inclined to curb their tongue and they make snarky, rude remarks. Let's hope the females I'll be working for aren't like this.

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My Job's Re-org

They've been implementing a re-org at my job for a while now and they've finally made their way to the assistants. Starting in June they are going to start putting their plan into action for us. First they're going to interview all of the Partners to see what their preference is, i.e. if they have strong feelings about keeping their EA or not. And if not, what they want in an assistant. Then the EAs are going to be individually interviewed to see what our strengths are and preferences as far as placement.

About 60%, from what I understand, will remain Partner EAs and the rest will be working as a team assistants. Team assistants work for titles Director and below - getting more involved with the work that goes into the services provided to the client. They say that there's room for promotion as a team assistant. You could potentially get promoted to 'intern' and then to an "associate". Once you're on that track you're on your way to working yourself up to a higher position (e.g. Associate, Sr. Assoc., Manager, Director, etc.). But who knows how likely one would actually be promoted and go that route. Plus I think the salary cap is lower for a team assistant.

I wouldn't want to be a team assistant because it seems to put one in a position of having to do overtime, which I can't do because of Jazzmin. And being promoted into client service positions isn't appealing because these people work crazy hours most of the time. And it's not like it gets better with a higher position - in fact the demands are much more. I wouldn't want a job where I'm working at all hours and basically a slave to work. Sure they make good money but look at the lives they lead - not a lot of time to actually enjoy the money. I think there is a good chance I am going to stay with the 2 Partners I have and just get 1 or 2 added onto my assignment. I feel pretty confident that both of my Partners are going to want to keep me as their assistant. But we'll see what happens!
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Bring Your Child to Work Day

Yesterday, Thursday, was 'Bring Your Child to Work Day" - they did much the same thing they've done every year. Classroom for about 2 hours, lunch and then fun time until around 4pm. This year, in the classroom, they taught the kids about handling their money. Talking about saving, budgeting and several other things. I like that they always try to teach the kids something valuable every year.

For a couple hours out of the entire day Jazz was with me at my desk. She failed to understand that I actually do work on my laptop and wanted to take it over so she could play on the internet. I let her play with it a little bit just to get her off my back. lol

It was a good day.

My Other Boss Remembered

Well, as stated in my post yesterday, I thought my other boss would end up just not doing anything for EA Day. Which is totally fine because the Christmas money is the most important thing for me - that's always the time I could really use it. But as it turns out he did get me something today to make up for missing yesterday. He gave me a card (see photos) and..... $150!!! YIPPPEEE!!! I was so happy about that - and it was totally unexpected. I don't know what I am going to do with the money - spend it on practical things or a treat for me. We'll see!

Happy EA Day to ME!

One of the Partners I work for remembered it was EA day today! This is the new Partner who I was assigned to this year. He sent me this beautiful flower arrangement and a box of chocolates!

I was very surprised to get them because the other Partner I support is very forgetful (and never gets me anything on EA Day) and the Partner who ended up sending the flowers is out of town on business. But he said he was reminded it was EA day on the radio during his drive to the airport.

It was a pleasant surprise!

****UPDATE****

One of the of the Sr. Assoc. that works with the Partner who didn't get me anything (and sits near me) sent him an e-mail reminding him it was EA Day today. The Partner then forwarded the Sr. Assoc. e-mail stating, "Sorry I am a loser I had no idea. I will fix tomorrow. " He'll probably forget anyway - but it's OK. As long as I get the $500 at Christmas time I'm not really concerned if he remembers EA Day. Though I certainly do enjoy getting flowers, etc.! :)
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FREE Blackberry & Svc. from My Job!

They are in the planning stages, but they are going to offer FREE blackberry devices and FREE service from my job once they iron out the details. YIPPIE! I love me some free stuff!

The down side is I just got a new cell phone complete with e-mail access, internet, etc. and my contract isn't up for another 1.5 years. But, oh well - if I get a free blackberry from work I can just take off the extra services from my phone and wait out the end of my contract with T-mobile. Then I'll just hold on to the phone in case (God forbid) I stop working for PwC at some point. But - then again, the blackberry they give us is ours to keep. And they'll be giving me a new device every 1-2 years. May be if/when I get the blackberry from work I'll give Brenda my T-mobile shadow phone? She needs a new one.

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