Author Topic: That's not my title  (Read 541 times)

Offline PeasInQueues

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That's not my title
« on: May 23, 2018, 04:31:06 pm »
Totally stealing the subject :)

We have a receptionist at my job who is a sweet lady. She's seriously a lovely person.

But, she keeps introducing me as "Director's assistant"

I'm not the director's assistant. I'm the assistant director.

I tried subtly cluing her in by saying "Actually, I'm the assistant director" to the people she introduces to me.

I tried directly correcting her by saying, "Hey, I'm the assistant director, not the director's assistant"

But, it continues. I'm really not sure how far to push it since she's just not remember and is it really that big of a deal?

I feel like maybe it's one of those things that gets under my skin, but doesn't really matter in reality.

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Offline BLZbub

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Re: That's not my title
« Reply #1 on: May 23, 2018, 04:40:06 pm »
That's quite a difference too. She sounds like Dwight from The Office when he keeps referring to himself as Assistant Regional Manager, and then everyone corrects him to Assistant TO THE Regional Manager.

Offline Loveandmoonsaults

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Re: That's not my title
« Reply #2 on: May 23, 2018, 04:42:25 pm »
There's a huge duties gap between director's assistant and assistant director. It's like calling the VP the President's assistant. I would speak with her and tell her the titles are not interchangeable.

I'm sure she's just not aware and should be given the chance to correct it. She's clearly not good at hints!

It's like when people would call me the secretary and I'm like "I'm actually the Bookkeeper so...let me patch you through to an actual admin who is better suited for this."

Offline QueenFaninCA

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Re: That's not my title
« Reply #3 on: May 23, 2018, 05:25:40 pm »
I think that's a pretty big deal. There is pretty much zero overlap between the duties of those two positions. I would take er aside and explain to her that she needs to introduce people with the correct job title. If she persists, I'd talk to her supervisor.

guest121

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Re: That's not my title
« Reply #4 on: May 23, 2018, 05:45:14 pm »
I think she doesn't understand the difference, and the best thing to do is explain it to her.

"Betty, when you tell people I'm the director's assistant, you are saying I'm a secretary. I am not an admin.

When you introduce me as a secretary, you are confusing people about why they are meeting with me. Please use my correct title. It really does matter."
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Offline Surly

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Re: That's not my title
« Reply #5 on: May 23, 2018, 06:46:34 pm »
I agree, I think it's likely not sticking because she doesn't understand the difference.  Maybe even putting it in writing would help?  A friendly email with wording like CautiouslyOptimistic uses might help.

Offline Gyrus

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Re: That's not my title
« Reply #6 on: May 28, 2018, 04:10:51 pm »
It was like being called my boss' secretary at the place I used to work.  I was not her secretary; I ran my own (admittedly one-person) department and our work spaces just happened to be next to each other.  People also thought I was subbing for her when she went on medical leave, which I was not.  Most people understood this when I pointed out that the boss was a GS12 job level, whereas I was a GS5.  Big difference.  If I could help I did, but for things that required management input, I'd send them to the person who really was subbing for her. 

Offline Kiwi Cupcake

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Re: That's not my title
« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2018, 02:05:44 pm »
This is reminding me of a story of a person who got into Penn State. Their grandma congratulated them for getting into the State Penn. LOL.

But I agree to explain the difference to her. Both positions are something to be proud of but they are completely different and that should be acknowledged.
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