I hadn't even thought about calling the article's author. That's a really good idea. I used to just sort of uncomfortably laugh, but after speaking with HR last time and not hearing anything back, I have started just firmly saying "I have a stutter, I can't help it. What do you need?" Part of my issue is that I have to deal with it from total strangers- vendors, journalists, etc. who are calling our firm for professional things. I get so embarrassed knowing that I'm the (auditory) "face of the company" during these calls. It's so frustrating-- there is an actual "front desk manager" (aka secretary; she answers phones and sorts the mail), and then this other admin assistant who have been there much longer. I'm just failing to understand why answering the one single phone is a three person job. I adamantly believe I wasn't told that I would be answering the phones this much. If I had been, I wouldn't have taken the job. Not worth the stress. Today was exceptionally stressful because I was out the door on my way to a property, trying to do a really cool project assigned to me by the company Sr. VP, when I got a barrage of e-mails from the office manager saying the office was getting out at 2:30, it was MY job to watch the phones since someone else did it last time, I need to be a better communicator, etc. etc. I told the secretary on my way out (I was literally jogging past her so I'd make the elevator, and my ride) that I had an impromptu trip and probably wouldn't be back by lunch. I guess she couldn't relay this herself to the woman that works half a hallway away?? So I get back, the office manager tries squaring off on me about it, interrupts me, blah blah blah and then I'm the only person in the office for another three hours, answering the phone and unable to do any other work. I'm just exceptionally frustrated today.