There’s A Whole Bunch Of Stuff I’m Not Being Paid To Do

There’s A Whole Bunch Of Stuff I’m Not Being Paid To Do—A Mild Rant

My husband and I are both self-employed, working from home. It’s been eight years since either of us worked for Someone Else’s Company, which suits us just fine. We even, usually, enjoy the fact that we’re together almost 24-7. If we can ever afford to retire, we’ll already have made THAT adjustment.

We’ve also gotten plenty used to the fact that we’re frequently called upon to handle duties that are difficult for those who must keep regular 9-5 hours. It’s not easy—since we are only paid for the hours we actually work, and not necessarily for all of those—but we deal. We really are the ones most available to handle the needs of The Moms during the work day, and in the middle of the night, too.

But what I’m coming to increasingly resent is the attitude out there in the world that not only should we be doing our own jobs and taking care of extended family responsibilities, but we should also be doing bits and pieces of the work of every clerk, salesperson, repairman, server, and admin assistant on the face of the planet.

Here’s my most recent example. I take several prescriptions on a regular basis. Every month, two days before I really need to, I call the automated line at my pharmacy to order refills. Occasionally, the recording informs me that the doctor must be called to authorize the refill, and to allow extra time. That’s precisely why I call two days before I really need to.

Two days after I call, I run into the pharmacy to pick up my scripts. The new habit of the pharmacy technician is to say to me, “One of them isn’t ready. The doctor still hasn’t called back.”

“But I’ve waited two days,” I say. “Your directions say to allow one day, unless the doctor must be called, in which case to allow two days. It’s been…” and then I look at my watch for effect, “...two days.”

Then she says, “Have you tried calling them? Because they never called us back…”

Starting a few days ago, this is my new answer: “No, I haven’t tried that. And I’m not going to try that.” Mind you, I say all of this with a very pleasant voice and a friendly expression on my face. When the technician looks at me like I’ve lost it, I add, “Because, you see, that’s your job. I’ve got a job, and calling my doctor to beg him to fill my monthly prescription is not it.”

“I could try calling again…” she says.

I smile. “I think that is an excellent idea.”

I really don’t get paid enough to do my job and parts of everyone else’s jobs, too. So I’m setting up boundaries. I’m betting that, if sufficiently challenged, there are a lot of workers out there who are capable of fulfilling every jot and tittle of their job descriptions. Far be it from me to deny them the opportunity.

Got any people who’ve tried to pass off parts of their jobs on you recently? How do you deal with it?

Posted by Katy on 04/23/08 at 06:30 PM

Fallible Comments...

Of course there are the teachers (and I can say this, even though I am a teacher) who, if your child is home sick or for whatever reason, you have to beg on a regular basis to get your child's work. So not right... Of course then there are the "sackers" at the grocery store, who, after bagging 15 or so filled sacks, asks, "So, do you need me to take this out to your car?" DUH.
Posted by Bridget on 04/24/08 at 04:39 PM
I used to be a technician at a pharmacy. You're right. It is the pharmacy's job to get that refill, and if the doctor doesn't OK the refill, then it's their job to let you know what the doctor told you...preferably before you waste time traveling from point A to point B. It irritated the pharmacists that I sided with the customers on this issue. I hated that job.
At my current job, on the other hand, I see the opposite end of the spectrum. We sometimes have customers expect our newspaper to submit obituaries, wedding announcements, birth announcements, etc., to other newspapers in the state, as well as run the announcement in ours. They want it done now, and they want it done free of charge. We aren't affiliated with any other papers in the state, and there are few papers out there (daily anyway) that run social announcements for free. We also have people who call up and want us to mail them editions of our paper for free. The last time I checked, newspaper publishers were still running a business. Businesses sell products. This business's product happens to be news. Sorry, I'm ranting now.
Great post today.
Posted by Kathryn on 04/24/08 at 06:53 PM
All I can say is "give and it shall be given to you". That's the verse I quote to myself when I feel overused and overburdened.

Check out <a href="http://myinspiringstory.com">MyInspiringStory</a>
Posted by J on 04/25/08 at 07:16 PM
Man, Katy, that is the BIGGEST pet peeve of mine at work and in other parts of my life, and is one of the main causes of burnout for employees. I have had to refuse additional responsibilities before even though I know at least the job would get done right because if I had the access to such-and-such computer system (for example), the others who shared it would stop doing it at all. And because I am low-ranking, I'm really not supposed to be able to say no or to delegate or anything, but I've learned (and am still learning) that my sanity and my long-term health are not only more important, but also should last much longer than this job, even if I did reenlist. So they're not worth risking for this drama.

Also, with companies, like my old Sprint cell contract... I once lost a lot of money to them because I hadn't been able to log onto their website due to my military duties, and they added a service I neither authorized nor used, and the automatic payment just kept going.. so when I found out about it, I tried to explain to them that I shouldn't have had to babysit them, and that they were never authorized to add the charge, and that it doesn't matter HOW long it took for me to notice it on the bill, it was a defiance of our contract and my trust. Then when I got over here and had to disconnect the line, that was another huge headache...

I am SO with you!!!! What happened to work ethics and acceptance of both types of responsibility: the integrity sense and the accomplishments sense?!?
Posted by PattyT on 05/22/08 at 04:57 PM

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Personal blog of christian writer & fallible mom Katy McKenna Raymond in Kansas City, Missouri Katy is represented by Greg Johnson at WordServe Literary Read more Katy at LateBoomer.net Follow Katy on Twitter Follow Katy on Facebook 123 Recent Posts Try Becoming Brenda Starr Off Beat Scattered That’s It So I’ve Finally Signed With An Agent. Now What? The Spoon Sciatica Sweetheart A Woman’s Train of Thought Has No Caboose However much we own, we are all still living on borrowed time After all, when restaurants shrink portions, they don’t shrink prices. As with everything in life, balance is key. Slow down, you move too fast… Yeah, I know. I have issues. Search Advanced Search Syndicate Login E me at katy @ ngenius.com	There’s A Whole Bunch Of Stuff I’m Not Being Paid To Do—A Mild Rant My husband and I are both self-employed, working from home. It’s been eight years since either of us worked for Someone Else’s Company, which suits us just fine. We even, usually, enjoy the fact that we’re together almost 24-7. If we can ever afford to retire, we’ll already have made THAT adjustment. We’ve also gotten plenty used to the fact that we’re frequently called upon to handle duties that are difficult for those who must keep regular 9-5 hours. It’s not easy—since we are only paid for the hours we actually work, and not necessarily for all of those—but we deal. We really are the ones most available to handle the needs of The Moms during the work day, and in the middle of the night, too. But what I’m coming to increasingly resent is the attitude out there in the world that not only should we be doing our own jobs and taking care of extended family responsibilities, but we should also be doing bits and pieces of the work of every clerk, salesperson, repairman, server, and admin assistant on the face of the planet. Here’s my most recent example. I take several prescriptions on a regular basis. Every month, two days before I really need to, I call the automated line at my pharmacy to order refills. Occasionally, the recording informs me that the doctor must be called to authorize the refill, and to allow extra time. That’s precisely why I call two days before I really need to. Two days after I call, I run into the pharmacy to pick up my scripts. The new habit of the pharmacy technician is to say to me, “One of them isn’t ready. The doctor still hasn’t called back.” “But I’ve waited two days,” I say. “Your directions say to allow one day, unless the doctor must be called, in which case to allow two days. It’s been…” and then I look at my watch for effect, “...two days.” Then she says, “Have you tried calling them? Because they never called us back…” Starting a few days ago, this is my new answer: “No, I haven’t tried that. And I’m not going to try that.” Mind you, I say all of this with a very pleasant voice and a friendly expression on my face. When the technician looks at me like I’ve lost it, I add, “Because, you see, that’s your job. I’ve got a job, and calling my doctor to beg him to fill my monthly prescription is not it.” “I could try calling again…” she says. I smile. “I think that is an excellent idea.” I really don’t get paid enough to do my job and parts of everyone else’s jobs, too. So I’m setting up boundaries. I’m betting that, if sufficiently challenged, there are a lot of workers out there who are capable of fulfilling every jot and tittle of their job descriptions. Far be it from me to deny them the opportunity. Got any people who’ve tried to pass off parts of their jobs on you recently? How do you deal with it? Posted by Katy on 04/23/08 at 06:30 PM Fallible Comments... Of course there are the teachers (and I can say this, even though I am a teacher) who, if your child is home sick or for whatever reason, you have to beg on a regular basis to get your child's work. So not right... Of course then there are the "sackers" at the grocery store, who, after bagging 15 or so filled sacks, asks, "So, do you need me to take this out to your car?" DUH. Posted by Bridget on 04/24/08 at 04:39 PM I used to be a technician at a pharmacy. You're right. It is the pharmacy's job to get that refill, and if the doctor doesn't OK the refill, then it's their job to let you know what the doctor told you...preferably before you waste time traveling from point A to point B. It irritated the pharmacists that I sided with the customers on this issue. I hated that job. At my current job, on the other hand, I see the opposite end of the spectrum. We sometimes have customers expect our newspaper to submit obituaries, wedding announcements, birth announcements, etc., to other newspapers in the state, as well as run the announcement in ours. They want it done now, and they want it done free of charge. We aren't affiliated with any other papers in the state, and there are few papers out there (daily anyway) that run social announcements for free. We also have people who call up and want us to mail them editions of our paper for free. The last time I checked, newspaper publishers were still running a business. Businesses sell products. This business's product happens to be news. Sorry, I'm ranting now. Great post today. Posted by Kathryn on 04/24/08 at 06:53 PM All I can say is "give and it shall be given to you". That's the verse I quote to myself when I feel overused and overburdened. Check out <a href="http://myinspiringstory.com">MyInspiringStory</a> Posted by J on 04/25/08 at 07:16 PM Man, Katy, that is the BIGGEST pet peeve of mine at work and in other parts of my life, and is one of the main causes of burnout for employees. I have had to refuse additional responsibilities before even though I know at least the job would get done right because if I had the access to such-and-such computer system (for example), the others who shared it would stop doing it at all. And because I am low-ranking, I'm really not supposed to be able to say no or to delegate or anything, but I've learned (and am still learning) that my sanity and my long-term health are not only more important, but also should last much longer than this job, even if I did reenlist. So they're not worth risking for this drama. Also, with companies, like my old Sprint cell contract... I once lost a lot of money to them because I hadn't been able to log onto their website due to my military duties, and they added a service I neither authorized nor used, and the automatic payment just kept going.. so when I found out about it, I tried to explain to them that I shouldn't have had to babysit them, and that they were never authorized to add the charge, and that it doesn't matter HOW long it took for me to notice it on the bill, it was a defiance of our contract and my trust. Then when I got over here and had to disconnect the line, that was another huge headache... I am SO with you!!!! What happened to work ethics and acceptance of both types of responsibility: the integrity sense and the accomplishments sense?!? Posted by PattyT on 05/22/08 at 04:57 PM Page 1 of 1 pages Commenting is not available in this weblog entry. Next entry: Beans And Rice, Rice And Beans Previous entry: A Moment Like This << Back to main


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There’s A Whole Bunch Of Stuff I’m Not Being Paid To Do—A Mild Rant

Personal blog of christian
writer & fallible mom
Katy McKenna Raymond
in Kansas City, Missouri