Too much responsibility in the first week of a job?

[honeywolf7]

I feel like I have been given a great deal of responsibility at my new job considering that I just started last Monday. I was here alone last Thursday and Friday and most of today (besides about 5 minutes) and will be tomorrow and Friday as well. I also have keys and am in charge of all the administrative details and of any groups that use the building while I'm here. Does this seem like a great deal of responsibility for the first week on a job to anyone else? I like the job, but I worry about whether I'll do it well enough.

 

[alabamaalan]

If you have time to DIS while you are there, I'd say you are doing okay...

 

[honeywolf7]

Today, all I have to do is answer phones and email a couple of people (and wait for their emails)....Plus, there's an AA meeting going on right now and if they have any emergencies, I'm supposed to help them. it's not so much that I'm busy as that I worry about something happening that I don't know how to handle.

 

[caitycaity]

when i forst got this job, they really should have been hiring like 3 people instead of one. they actually asked in my interview if i handled high stress situations well. LOL

i'd say it's great that they trust you after 1 week to give you so much responsibility.

 

[aprincessmom]

I don't think so. Sounds like it's just part of the job and the job requires a lot of responsibility and independent work situations.

Glad to hear you enjoy your job...it would make it harder if you didn't like it.

 

[jfulcer]

You were hired to do the job that they advertised, which it sounds like they are having you do.

Most companies like people to be able to jump right in and do their work without extensive hand holding. I assume they left you with contact numbers to get ahold of someone else if you can't figure out the problem??

I can't see your situation being any different than anyone else starting a new job.

 

[honeywolf7]

Actually, they didn't leave me with contact numbers....but I finally got a cell phone # for the minister today (I'm the only other person working here.) As far as job advertised, it's not exactly what he told me it would be but I'm enjoying it.

 

[Fizban257]

When I started my last job, they left me alone with nothing to do for the first two weeks. They'd check in a couple times a day to make sure I was still breathing, but they just told me to familiarize myself with the computer network and sit tight. They claimed they didn't want to overwhelm me with work at first, but I was BORED!!! Turns out that what they all thought was tons of work and high-stress, never met my threshold for either. I eventually left for two reasons: 1) more money and 2) a less-boring work environment. I never thought that being well paid to do an easy job under generous deadlines would be a bad thing, but I was going insane! Now if they'd only let me work from home, I'd have stayed!

 

[mhopset]

For you it sounds like to much responsibility

 

[kdibattista]

I'm with mhopset... if you have to ask, chances are it is too much. Obviously the minister didn't think it was too much otherwise he would not have left you in charge. There's nothing wrong with that... people just have varying ideas of what "too much" responsibility is. If it is a genuine concern, you should talk to you boss.

 

[honeywolf7]

The only reason it's a concern is that I'm worried that something will come up that I won't know how to handle (like a death, a fire, or some other sort of catastrophe.)

 

[DonnaS]

Make a list of situations that you think could come up and ask the minister what you should do when you see him next.

 

[honeywolf7]

Donna, that's a good idea. This is the first time I've ever been in charge like this. Even when I worked in the calendar store and worked alone at times, it was in a mall and there were security guards, etc. so I never really worried (for instance, a circuit blew in the store once and I had no idea how to fix it so I asked Roger if he would get someone to help me.....he came and fixed it himself )

 

[kdibattista]

The only reason it's a concern is that I'm worried that something will come up that I won't know how to handle (like a death, a fire, or some other sort of catastrophe.)

Call 911

 

[honeywolf7]

I know that.....but I don't know all of the people who need to be called (insurance company, etc.) or about all of the paper work that needs to be done.

 

[doxdogy]

Originally posted by honeywolf7
The only reason it's a concern is that I'm worried that something will come up that I won't know how to handle (like a death, a fire, or some other sort of catastrophe.)

I am assuming that you are referring to the death of a parishoner or the family of a parishoner. If none of the clergy are available, I would just explain that to the caller and get all of the information from them. Once you have done that, I would then give to the minister(s) when they are available. In the event of another catastrophe, call 911. When you are working as a secretary or administrative assistant you basically have to learn how to think like the person you are supporting. You are their right hand so to speak.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I know that.....but I don't know all of the people who need to be called (insurance company, etc.) or about all of the paper work that needs to be done.

Oh come on!

None of that would have to be done until hours if not days after the emergency.



I'm honestly glad that you like your new job. But I do think you're being a bit dramatic here.

 

[ChiTownZee]

If there is a fire or whatever, call 911, call your minister and then wait for further instructions. I wouldn't worry about filling out insurance paperwork. Next time you talk to your minister (that's your boss, right?) ask him if there is anything specific you need to know. Your responsibilities don't seem abnormal to me.

 

[honeywolf7]

Doxdogy, that's exactly the type of thing I'm worried about. I don't think I'd worry if he was just going to his house or if he was just going to be gone for an afternoon, but last week he went to Pennsylvania (and I had no contact number) and he's supposed to be gone for two solid months during the summer.

 

[ChiTownZee]

he's supposed to be gone for two solid months during the summer.

I'm sure he will leave you emergency contact numbers and instructions on what to do, you'll be fine.