Wednesday

 Back at work today, after having yesterday off.

Had a mountain of work to do, but that was okay.  Always playing catch-up.  I told my boss that I will need some more days off in the future for medical appointments, on top of the time off I have booked for my exams, and on top of the jury duty I have been called in for next month.  We joked that I just won’t come in for all of June. 

My assistant isn’t panning out very well.  She has potential, but seems to be lacking some vital skills, and refuses to answer the incoming calls.  The thing about the calls is a major problem, because aside from taking the load off my back, she is supposed to be the second point of call (after the receptionist) for the incoming calls to give all the other secretaries a break as well.  She has been trained, she has sat on the reception desk with the receptionist for the equivalent of two full days taking calls, but still doesn’t have the confidence to just pick the phone up when she hears it ringing.  It sounds harsh, but if she can’t do that, my boss wants to can her.  She has the potential to do really well at this job, so long as she focuses, keeps her eyes open to what’s going on around her, and gains some CONFIDENCE!  I’m not sure what to do.  My boss is going to have a friendly chat with her tomorrow and offer her feedback on what she does well and where she can improve.  I have asked him to ask her about me training her, because I am concerned that I am the reason she isn’t doing well.  I have never been solely responsible for training someone before, and I know I am far from perfect at it.  

I don’t want her to go, I NEED her, but I don’t need someone that I have to babysit every second of the day, that’s completely defeating the point of hiring her. 

Anyway.  I haven’t given up on her, I am just feeling discouraged at spending half my day today fixing her mistakes from yesterday, mistakes that would not have been made if she used her head.

Pay day today, and shortly the money will appear in my account.  I will pay the rent, and the internet bill.  Car insurance came out overnight.  I desperately need to get the car serviced, I will have to do some sums and see how money I have available.  It may have to wait another week, but I am feeling very guilty as it is for treating my poor car so badly.

Cleared up my notebooks and paperwork tonight.  

Got a ball of UGLY orange wool that I have started knitting.  

Neighbours are having yet another ugly bust up.  Very ugly, actually.  Count down the days, kids.