Should I bother sticking with this irritating job? Sorry, long.

[SandraM]

I work from my home office and have done admin for 2 guys, P & W, on Mon/Wed/Fri mornings since Dec 02. They’re chaotic, and were not respecting the agreement they had with me, calling me any hour of any day, not sending me stuff, paying me late, and so on. It’s awkward, because one of their wives is a long-standing friend of mine.
Anyhow, I had a meeting with them last Friday and we agreed definite arrangements, one of which was that they’d send all emails to an address I’d set up for this purpose.
I had oral surgery under sedation last Tuesday afternoon, so was a bit drained when W phoned me Wed am. As I checked my emails, a copy one from P to W came in on my personal address, so I casually mentioned to W would he remind P, who was with him at the time, to use the new address. I didn’t make a big thing of it.
Yesterday, Thursday, I got an email from P, that it was clear he hadn’t been sending emails to the wrong address and an apology (from me) was in order. I realised that I hadn’t set up OE to send “cc”’s into the new folder. So I sent off an apology and an explanation, feeling though that P’s reaction was over the top.
Got an email back from P that the apology was accepted, that he had got a hard time from W, who thought he (P) had ignored our agreement. W then had no problem emailing me wanting something done in a hurry, even though it was outside the terms of our six day old agreement, so I don’t know why he gave P a hard time.
I’d made a minor mistake, and felt it was not right (these guys are in Corporate Relationships!) that I was sent a demand for an apology because P got a hard time from W. Now I wonder am I going to get a demand for an apology if everything isn't always perfect? Then do I demand apologies for their regular mistakes?
They also agreed on a weekly conference call at noon on Fridays to review the previous week and prepare for the next week.
No call today, it’s now two hours late. I’m sick of this, it’s not like I make much money from the job either, it’s more of an interest.
Would you give them another chance or do you think I should tell them where to go?

 

[Disney Doll]

Yes

 

[Doug123]

First ask yourself, why are you doing the job? What "interest" in the position drew/draws you to it? Is it the type of work or just the people you work with that is the problem? Keep in mind that there are "office politics" no matter where you go. You'll also find it's not unusual in the corporate world for "support staff" (for lack of a better term) to get unfairly targeted by "higher ups" when the executives are having a bad day personally or professionally.

Next, are there positions in your area doing something similar (if you wanted to keep doing the same type of work)? If so, would the benefits be the same? I suggest comparing the benefits of your job as they actually are as opposed to how they're "supposed to be" according to your agreement. Finally, how important is the money you're making working for them? Are you using it for entertainment purposes or for paying rent?

If you do end up giving them another chance, I would draw the line at the Agreement. Do not let them crossover the Agreement line. If they do, then be prepared to quit. If you don't draw the line and stand up for yourself, they won't respect you or your agreement.

Good luck.

 

[SandraM]

Thank you for your helpful thoughts, Doug, they have helped clarify my thinking.
I'm doing the job because P asked me, he knew I do part time contract work, just for pleasure, not because I need the money. I've been a close friend of his wife for over 20 years. He is not well, and W doesn't know this.
Most of the work I do is at home, alone, with contact mainly by email. P & W set up late 2002, and it has not gone according to plan, they have not come close to their very ambitious sales figures. The work I'm doing for them is not as originally described, it is quite junior. There are no other staff, they contract out their product.
I've accommodated them by only charging them for the hours I work while being available 3 mornings a week, but it was abused.
If it were anyone else I'd have no problem telling them I've had enough of them, but I will probably lose P's wife as a friend. That's what's making it so difficult, but I think the negative effect this "job" is having on me will have to take precedence.
Thanks again.

 

[momof2inPA]

Was "P" joking when asking for an apology? Sometimes the tone of an e-mail does not come across as intended. If you do not need the money, I think it is fine to admit the arrangement is not working out.