Massage Therapists Torment Spa Receptionists, Constantly Berate Them for Not Doing Tasks Outside of Their Job Descriptions

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JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Jun 24, 2026 9:00 PM EDT

It can be incredibly frustrating to be asked to do things outside of your job description.

You have your job in theory, and then you have the reality of your job. Maybe when you were hired they laid out a set of expectations that you felt comfortable signing on for. Then, once you were settled in, you realized that what your job would actually entail would be a lot different. That's what happened to the worker in this story, which they shared to the work subreddit. She felt like she was being taken advantage of by her coworkers, and this wasn't a good feeling. Sure, you might not mind pitching in here and there to help make things run a little smoother, but you don't want to compromise yourself just because someone else asked you to. It can take a lot of bravery and guts to stand up for yourself in a workplace environment, but it's a necessary skill. You don't want to end up doing everyone else's job for them just because you can't say no. But it's also on your coworkers to treat you with respect. They should know better than to take advantage of you. But in this story, there was a broad culture of misunderstanding. Sometimes a work environment just gets out of control and before you know it you're in an unsustainable situation. It can be hard to get out of these patterns, because they can become deeply engrained. 

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  • Cheezburger Image 10641576448
    via Brooke Cagle (Unsplash+)

    A receptionist at a spa smiles behind her post

  • I'm tired of being micromanaged by my own coworkers.

    I (F23) work as a receptionist at a spa. I feel like there is a power dynamic between the CMTS (certified massage therapists) and the receptionists. They either ask me to do extra tasks not in my job description or get unjustifiably upset by small things. They are almost all at least 10 years older than me as well, with most of them being middle-aged.
    via sootsprite_
  • I can understand being frustrated. The receptionists can miss restocking some things, as it is secondary to greeting clients, washing dishes, and cleaning hot tub rooms. It would be annoying to go to wipe your hands and there isn't a paper towel waiting for you. In this instance, a reminder would be completely appropriate. However, The CMTs seem to
    via sootsprite_
  • use this as an excuse to chastise us. They will get mad at us 30 minutes into the shift if we haven't restocked the paper towels or the paper cups in the lobby. They may go up to me at the desk and say things like "The soap is empty!" super aggressively. Or, something like, "you didn't refill the Kleenex! What if my client had to blow their nose!" They will stand next to us and say "where's my tip sheet?" if it's not there 15 minutes after I've clocked in. Because these are technically my respon
    via sootsprite_
  • Now that it's been awhile at this job, I have gotten better at being vigilant and restocking things ASAP even on busy days, but it seems that they are never satisfied. Especially a few people in particular who I've just realized are complaining to complain. When we are on our break, they complain that they heard the microwave beep while
    via sootsprite_
  • in a massage room. When we close the door, they complain that we need to keep it open for fresh air (they don't care if we are cold or want to block out noise). They complain if the music isn't to what they want when they walk in. They complain that we need new blankets or slippers as if it is our fault when in reality, they are the ones who stain them with massage oil.
    via sootsprite_
  • And finally, it grinds my gears when the complaints and requests are outside of my job description. Multiple times, CMTs have asked me if I can message the boss for them to see if they can get coverage (on the app that we ALL have). That is fully not my responsibility, but I did it any way. One time, a male massage therapist came to me while I was on my lunch break whining that he needed
    via sootsprite_
  • ibuprofen even though the first aid kit is in the staff room (and I'm not his mom!!!). In fact, this same massage therapist even asked if I could call on the phone to order lunch for him when he fully could have just scheduled it in advance himself. *Actually, for this one, I stared at him stunned in silence... but I ended up ordering*
    via sootsprite_
  • I think part of it may be because of an underlying grudge; we have combined hot tub and massage packages where receptionists receive a 30% cut of the tip. The massage therapists think that we are stealing their tip because it is customary to tip massage therapists after an appointment, and not receptionists. But that's not my fault! It's just the policy!
    via sootsprite_
  • At a certain point, even though most complaints could technically be part of my job, I feel like an under appreciated servant. I don't work under them! It's honestly draining and it's hard to keep up lively conversation knowing that they were bossing me around earlier. What do I do? As of now, I am just reinforcing their behavior by doing what they ask when they treat me this way...
    via sootsprite_
  • Cheezburger Image 10641576704
    via Kateryna Hliznitsova (Unsplash+)

    Two women enjoy a spa, wrapped in towels

  • You would hate to feel like you're making someone else's workday worse. We should all try to make each other's jobs easier when we can, and build a good sense of workplace camaraderie. Shoving tasks onto someone else when it's not their issue to deal with is not a great idea. It only created disharmony and discord and make people turn against each other when they should really be having each other's backs. Keep scrolling to read what happened here and see what you think about it. 

  • Commenters shared this employee's sense of frustration.

    shortprisoner227 the ibuprofen thing would have broke me, first aid kit is literally in the staff room and he walked past it to find you on lunch break.
    via shortprisoner227
  • Big-Engineering-5323 It's time to move on. Or get comfortable saying the phrase 'I'm sorry you feel that way!
    via Big-Engineering-5323
  • Flashy-Library-6854 The restocking issue has an easy fix, always have doubles of consumables in the massage rooms and restrooms, kleenex, paper towels, soap etc. Check the rooms earlier in the day and if paper towels are getting low add another package or roll or whatever.
    via Flashy-Library-6854
  • Things that really aren't your job, I used to say 'oh sure, I will get to that in my spare time' or 'let me check my job description', etc Or in the case of ibuprofen 'did you forget to bring some' or 'I don't have any' or 'did you check in the first aid kit?'
    via Flashy-Library-6854
  • AlligatorFungaiStew I can commiserate, admin positions have all of the responsibility and none of the authority. You're responsible for everything that goes wrong, but have no authority to make any changes that would make things better.
    via AlligatorFungaiStew
  • OldLadyKick Get manager/supervisor to make a detailed list of what needs to be stocked at night: kleenex, soap, piles of towels, new oils, sheets, etc. Havea e a list for re- checks at noon. I would refuse to message boss for subs for therapists- as if there is a mistake- it falls on you.
    via OldLadyKick
  • Emergency_Leave_1971 This is happening because people see you'll always do what they ask, even when it's not your job. You're not wrong, but you're over-accepting everything, so they keep pushing more tasks on you.
    via Emergency_Leave_1971
  • Start saying small clear things like "I'm busy at the front desk" or "please check/ask management." Don't explain too much, just redirect. If you keep always agreeing, nothing changes. The problem is the system. and boundaries, not you.
    via Emergency_Leave_1971
  • MonikerSchmoniker Absolutely refuse to massage ANYONE! You are not trained or certified. THAT would be a firm line. Never cross it again. As for the other things, when there is another receptionist on duty with you, switch off tasks: "This morning I will concentrate on restocking and cleaning, then in the afternoon you do that." It might help. Worth the try.
    via MonikerSchmoniker

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spa worker massage therapist spa toxic work environment toxic work massage money receptionist
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