I, among other things, cover the front desk where I work. One of the first things I noticed while starting work was that visitors will walk in past the front desk and go straight through the only entrance to the offices. I have never seen anything like that before. Even when I say "Hello, how may I help you," some of them ignore me! I put up a "do not enter" sign, but that does not seem to work. How would you handle this problem with tact?

Second, I answer the phones. Often, I will get calls where the caller will not announce who they are or what their problem is, but ask to speak with the manager. Often their problem can and should be handled by someone else. How would you handle that?

QUIT. LMAO

Youre dealing with low life morons. Why dont you look for some other job.

You know the old saying, ( If you hang around with turkeys too long, you become a turkey ).

Gobble, gobble ....

Greg, I have been working since I'm 16, and all I can tell you is......get used to it.

These people have no regard for you or your position. They want what they want when they want it, and have no respect for authority. Like, I don't know, maybe they don't respect the authority of your position simply because you have it? Forget tact. No one understands tact. They take that as weakness. No one respects weakness. You have to yell.

Signs mean nothing. Signs to not pertain to them.
Don't bother with the sign. Besides, they may be under educated, and can't read the sign. Forget the sign.

The phone calls, well, you have to be persistent. Be firm, but polite. Keep asking your questions. You have to be creative. Persistent and creative.
They can't slap you on the phone. They must answer your questions. Once they get there, they can exact revenge, which is probably why they ignore you and walk through the door.

The public sucks.

You don't say what type of office this is, but if possible, I would ask the management if it might be possible to start using a "sign in" sheet, with spaces provided for the visitor, who they are there to see, the time in and time out. This can be done on a clipboard with a pen attached to a string. This is a day and age where people should be used to security procedures. The log can be useful to let the manager know how busy the office is.

Second, with the phone, if the person in the office wants his/her calls screened, you have the right to tell the caller that. "I'm sorry, Mr. So and So wants all the calls screened". In cases where you think you can help, say just that: "Is there something I might be able to help with?" Don't forget that many times people (all of us) don't want to have to repeat the problem 20 times before getting the right person, so if you offer to help, you really shouldn't pass the buck.

Don't ever let them see you sweat. It's what they want.

Billy

Greg in all seriousness, people are people. Karyn is correct. Try making a sign that says DANGER, I don't think people would be walking into that door.
As far as people asking for management, do you get paid to run interference for the manager? If not then by all means let the calls through, but first always ask if you could help them.

When dealing with the people, the public at large, you can get a lot more done with a soft word and a gun than you can get with a soft word alone...

We started having problem like that where I worked where people would come off the street and just walk into the offices. They handled the problem by locking the doors which could only be opened with an employee keycard. All visitors had to stop by the Receptionist's desk and be announced. The receptionist had a buzzer under her desk that would unlock the doors for a few seconds to let someone through. If they didn't have an appointment it was "goodbye and good riddance." They weren't even allowed to go through the doors to go to the bathroom.

As for the telephone calls...just say, "we don't have a general manager (or the general manager is not available) so if you could tell me your problem I will be able to direct your call to the right person."

I'm soooo glad I'm retired Good luck.

When people really pissed me off...I had the luxury of using my handcuffs..most times it would get their attention....

Forgiveness, acceptance and love is what it is all about. If the job is way too stressful, just quit it. Life is too short to endure unnecessary agita from either a workaholic management team or ultra rude visitors. It'll do you no good to stay with a sinking ship.

I also love being retired. I never knew just how stressed I used to be until I retired. I had insomnia for over 35 years while I was working and now I sleep like a baby.

I forgot to mention that the place where I work is a section 8 Co-Op. It is my first "real" job with a living wage. I just want to be a good employee. Thanks for the suggestions, they were very helpful.

quote:

Originally posted by bronx108:
[qb]Forgiveness, acceptance and love is what it is all about. If the job is way too stressful, just quit it. Life is too short to endure unnecessary agita from either a workaholic management team or ultra rude visitors. It'll do you no good to stay with a sinking ship.[/qb]

Just quit? How should he pay his rent & bills? What should he use for food & transportation?

Don't complain to management too often...they will find a way to eliminate you. Just show up, if people refuse to stop by your desk first, let them. if they refuse to give you a reason for their call, so what....don't aggrevate yourself. I was in your shoes once, complaining didn't help, trying to get through to ignorant people didn't help, so I just gave up.

The buzzer under the desk suggestion is a good one though...good luck!!

Dianne