Wednesday, August 13, 2003

In the comments to my earlier post on annoyances, I was accused of taking a “double dose of cranky pills today” - fair enough assessment, although I’m not really cranky today generally speaking. Those particular people caught me in the middle of a task and I was annoyed by the trivial interruptions.

I get interrupted a lot - it’s the nature of my particular job. I wear a few hats in this office, but I’m also the receptionist. And there are a lot of things about the receptionist’s job/desk that others who haven’t held the position may not understand.

1. My desk isn’t my own. My desk is EVERYBODY’S desk. This means that the pens, paper clips, post-it notes, etc. that may litter the desktop are fair game for anyone who happens to pass by.

2. I am the friendly office welcome wagon/greeter. As my cubicle is right by the front door, I’m the first person everyone sees and the last. All who pass feel the need to greet me in some manner when passing. This is a nice thought, but when I’m immersed in a task, it’s just another interrupter that causes me to lose my train of thought, lose track of where I am, etc.

Related to this is the front window. I am the person who handles the public first. This means I deal with agents, cops, lawyers, clerks, baddies, maintenance people, technicians, serial suers, family members, etc. And the CSOs (Court Security Officers - there are about 2 dozen who man the security area in the lobby and hang out in courtrooms) come in and out constantly. When the outer door opens, I have to check to make sure who it is - because who it is determines whether or not I’m required to get up (I need to get up for most people - certain courthouse staff have badges that will allow them entry to the inner door). That door opens hundreds of times a day. Just more interruptions.

3. Then there are the phone calls. I’ve said it before, I hate the phone. Passionately, despise the phone. Aside from my family (and we usually email) and a couple other people, I rarely call anyone just to chat. If I’m calling you, it’s because I need information from you or to convey information to you. I’m not calling to ask how you are and hear your life story.

Fortunately, we have an automated answering system in the office now. This has greatly reduced the number of calls I get, although many push that magic button to get to “the operator” - me. And I get all kinds of calls - family wanting to know where their loved one is, what his charges are, what’s his bond, where’s he being moved to, why hasn’t he been moved, where’s his money, where’s his property, why isn’t he getting his meds, why this, what that....

I have a rather long list of where to direct calls if a certain question is asked. In most cases, I am to refer them to the defendant’s attorney or the Clerk’s office. And I get huffy sighs coming back at me when I try to do just that. I understand their frustration, believe me. I’ve been on the other end of the phone with a government type, feeling like I’m getting the run around.

Truth is, I might be getting the run around. But the sad reality is that the government type may be giving you the only answer s/he has - because they don’t know anything further than that or they may not be allowed to give anything further than that. I know it’s true for me.

And, apparently, it’s also true for Dave. His post is great and prompted me to write this lengthy post of my own. So I’ll finish up my half-rant by referring you to his post. Go read it, please.