That sounds like a fraught situation, Stephanie. I hope you can find a good resolution for it.

But at the same time, I feel like I'm speaking another language. I got an email back form my boss saying that he was glad that the receptionist had written this email, that it was my schedule that was causing problems in the office, that we all decide things together, that of course everyone knows how much I make because they were consulted when I was hired, and that he think discussing this sort of thing in group wide emails is actually helpful. It's like bizarro-world.

I am really sorry that you like the work so much, because I think he runs his office very poorly.

One thing though - you mentioned that it would look weird on a resume to only be somewhere for 3 months. There are ways around that. Since J seems to be framing it as "trial basis", you can feel fine listing your services during this period as that of being a paid consultant.

Can I just say I want like, EVERYTHING from this store?? Of course, I want it to be about a quarter of the price, and my body to magically be waif-thin, so as to look good in most of the clothes, but...damn. So fucking awesome looking. Page after page after page of awesome. And they don't even come in my SIZE--the biggest size seems to be a UK14/US10?!? WTF?

Stephanie, that sucks so much. I hope you can find a place where the boss, receptionist, and others don't have their heads firmly up their asses.

I am earwormed with a Hebrew song that I learned at summer camp when I was about seven. I have no idea why I still even remember it, but it will not get out of my head now. I guess my brain decided that I needed a reminder that the world is based on Torah, service, and acts of loving-kindness?

Oh lord, meara, had you not seen the All Saints site before? I try not to look at it very often, because when they do have things I really really want, they are TINY.

Oh, dear. People trying to take an ancient song and make it into rock. Or something. Basically, they succeed in making themselves look really silly. [link]

I'm still reeling from the notion your boss has that because the receptionist is feeling "overwhelmed", she gets to more or less demand that you spend all your work hours in the office. And your boss backs her up.

I've been a receptionist. I've been encouraged to "make it work" with an executive I reported to, which involved me going to the exec practically on my knees, offering to come in on my own time so she could help me prioritize her tasks and clarify some points. That was on me to do, so that I could improve my support to her and her job. I've spoken in private to the exec's supervisor and mine, asking for advice on the best way to approach fixing my inability to deal efficiently with my workload and demands on my time. I was told to "make it work," and if I couldn't, the supervisor would be willing to meet with both of us to resolve things. The implication being that I was inadequate both at my job and at accomodating others' work styles. At no time was another party involved with those conversations. If I couldn't resolve my deficiencies and feeling overwhelmed, then I was obviously not qualified for my position and would have been let go so someone qualified and capable could do my job.

After reading about the kind of clout the receptionist has at your office? Obviously I was doin' it rong.

Exactly, Beverly.

I've encountered the situation Stephanie describes exactly once. The receptionist had the boss's baby 8 months later.

I've encountered the situation Stephanie describes exactly once.

Suh-nerk.

Yeah. My experience of bizarro world office behavior like that has always led to something interesting/dramatic being uncovered.

That doesn't help much, I'm sure, Stephanie. But, as usual, I have to guess the weirdness isn't personal to you.