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The schedule lady: power of the powerless

#1 · August 22, 2020, 6:38 pm

Quote from John Freeman on August 22, 2020, 6:38 pm
Hello guys,
Context:
At work, there is a senior secretary ("project manager" but she's basically making the monthly schedule). There are no rules regarding the schedule, so it's open bar for those with power. I learned the other day that all the little changes we receive several times a month (like 10 times) are the changes asked by the executives and/or supervisors.
Ask 1: I wanted to have 2 official days off (2 per semester) for training opportunities. We must have 10 full days of theoretical training before the end of the 5-years training period. So we need to be able to take advantage of these, otherwise we cannot have our specialist degree. She refused it: "it was too late". I (made the mistake as I know from module 3 now, hence this thread) sent her a long email explaining the rationale why I was not too late (I was not) and how important it was for us to get these days. No answer (= middle finger).
Ask 2: I asked a week-end for my birthday. Answer: sorry not possible, already finished the schedule (but not sent so still possible to change).
So basically, she does not want to give me what I ask even though I'm entitled to the two asks above. They were not privileges: I asked for what is due to us.
Now, I need to be influence this woman as she's deciding if and when I get training days and days off, even though this should not be the case.
So she has a lot of informal power even though it looks like from the outside she's "just making the schedule". Of course, if it would be one of the executives she would make the change as she already does.
My strategy is to come to her office casually ("as I was nearby and had some time on my hands") questions about how I can have my request answered. The idea is to meet her in person with warmth to establish a relationship and empathize with her ("this schedule is a massive headache, I admire how you handle it" note: I actually do think that). I would not put any pressure as she already shown that she will hide behind the "not possible". I never met her in person, we only exchanged via email.
What is your opinion about this?

Hello guys,

Context:

At work, there is a senior secretary ("project manager" but she's basically making the monthly schedule). There are no rules regarding the schedule, so it's open bar for those with power. I learned the other day that all the little changes we receive several times a month (like 10 times) are the changes asked by the executives and/or supervisors.

Ask 1: I wanted to have 2 official days off (2 per semester) for training opportunities. We must have 10 full days of theoretical training before the end of the 5-years training period. So we need to be able to take advantage of these, otherwise we cannot have our specialist degree. She refused it: "it was too late". I (made the mistake as I know from module 3 now, hence this thread) sent her a long email explaining the rationale why I was not too late (I was not) and how important it was for us to get these days. No answer (= middle finger).

Ask 2: I asked a week-end for my birthday. Answer: sorry not possible, already finished the schedule (but not sent so still possible to change).

So basically, she does not want to give me what I ask even though I'm entitled to the two asks above. They were not privileges: I asked for what is due to us.

Now, I need to be influence this woman as she's deciding if and when I get training days and days off, even though this should not be the case.

So she has a lot of informal power even though it looks like from the outside she's "just making the schedule". Of course, if it would be one of the executives she would make the change as she already does.

My strategy is to come to her office casually ("as I was nearby and had some time on my hands") questions about how I can have my request answered. The idea is to meet her in person with warmth to establish a relationship and empathize with her ("this schedule is a massive headache, I admire how you handle it" note: I actually do think that). I would not put any pressure as she already shown that she will hide behind the "not possible". I never met her in person, we only exchanged via email.

What is your opinion about this?