KittenMoon Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 Thanks to vacations, a huge tradeshow, and summer hours, my workplace of 50+ probably has MAYBE 15-20 people in it right now.... And our flaky receptionist is no where to be found (she's our third in 6 months). AND my boss is missing and hasn't called to tell me where he is! WTF is up with this Friday? I'm answering phones alone and the bitchy people are scaring me.... Link to post Share on other sites
luvtoto Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 Thanks to vacations, a huge tradeshow, and summer hours, my workplace of 50+ probably has MAYBE 15-20 people in it right now.... And our flaky receptionist is no where to be found (she's our third in 6 months). AND my boss is missing and hasn't called to tell me where he is! WTF is up with this Friday? I'm answering phones alone and the bitchy people are scaring me.... I understand your position. My workplace isn't too strict either. People come and go as they wish, leaving me holding the bag. One thing I've learned is to not make other people's issues my issues. If these rude people are getting on your case about something another co-worker should be handling, then just ask them, "Well, he/she is currently out of the office, so how may *I* help you?" They'll usually realize that you can't actually help them, because it's not your department or whatever, and they'll quickly realize the situation you are in. At least, that's been my experience. Link to post Share on other sites
Author KittenMoon Posted July 14, 2006 Author Share Posted July 14, 2006 One thing I've learned is to not make other people's issues my issues. If these rude people are getting on your case about something another co-worker should be handling, then just ask them, "Well, he/she is currently out of the office, so how may *I* help you?". I WISH that was the case- I keep getting attitude. The concepts of "I CANNOT help you" and I can't do anything more than give you a voice mail seems utterly foreign to some people. Sure you can be a complete d*ck to me, BUT THAT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE THE FACT THAT I CAN"T HELP YOU!!!!!! Arg. Link to post Share on other sites
laRubiaBonita Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 I WISH that was the case- I keep getting attitude. The concepts of "I CANNOT help you" and I can't do anything more than give you a voice mail seems utterly foreign to some people. Sure you can be a complete d*ck to me, BUT THAT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE THE FACT THAT I CAN"T HELP YOU!!!!!! Arg. what really works.... you have to be all sweet and innocent-blonde-sounding.... then you say " i'm sorry, i am new here, or an intern (that works alot).... so-&-so is unavaliable.... but i can tranfer you to their voicemail... and i am SURE they will call you back when they get your message....." Link to post Share on other sites
luvtoto Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 what really works.... you have to be all sweet and innocent-blonde-sounding.... then you say " i'm sorry, i am new here, or an intern (that works alot).... so-&-so is unavaliable.... but i can tranfer you to their voicemail... and i am SURE they will call you back when they get your message....." Haha...yea, I've played dumb on many occasions! I can't stand it when customers know I can't help them, yet, they have to tell me the whole freakin' situation. Waste of my time. I end up saying, "Would you like to leave a message?" Sometimes, they just want to vent. Link to post Share on other sites
laRubiaBonita Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 Sometimes, they just want to vent. This is soo true...... i have been thanked for just listening and letting folks vent out their frustrations...... i should charge therapy fees! Link to post Share on other sites
luvtoto Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 This is soo true...... i have been thanked for just listening and letting folks vent out their frustrations...... i should charge therapy fees! Letting them vent is an art. You don't want to get too involved, but yet you have to listen to them a bit. It's a pain and a waste of my time. Link to post Share on other sites
Walk Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 I always just validated their feelings or thoughts (to a degree) and then pretend to get all conspiratorial with them.. Lower my voice as I'm talking, or lean in if they're present and say "Listen, the best way to catch this lady is to email her. And if you want a quick reply, then all you have to do is copy the boss in on it." (I write down the email addresses and slide it across). "But I don't have access to what you need and everyone who does is gone." Wait.. you might not want to do that... that's what I told all the customers right before my supervisor got fired for not doing her job... haha Link to post Share on other sites
luvtoto Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 "But I don't have access to what you need and everyone who does is gone." If I had a quarter for everytime I have said that, I'd be rich! Link to post Share on other sites
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