Have had just about enough! I'm a teaching support for this lecturer and every week I have to hear about how busy and how tired he is (he lists off what he's working on), and then I get the line "you've got it so easy". EVERY WEEK.

Today I was talking with another lecturer when he was nearby and I was telling this lecturer how tiring it is working on a chapter and this guy said "try marking all these s^&t essays".

The other thing is that he has twice pushed me to try and do things that aren't part of my role as a teaching assistant-take parts of the lecture, and mark the assignments. I'm not allowed to do either of those, as the students are 3rd year undergrads and it's the dept. policy. I've had to get seniors to intervene and tell him, because when I did numerous times he ignored it.

I know there isn't much I can do (but if you've got any suggestions of how to respond please tell me, I may end up losing my temper!), but I have just had it with him! I honestly can't listen to how busy he is anymore, and hear about how easy I have it!!!!

Chances are if you have had this experience with him, other staff members will have had it too. His complaining about how 'busy' he is is his problem, not yours. There seems to be a bizarre culture in modern times of trying to win some sort of imaginary competition of 'busyness'.

Is this a permanent position or temp? If it is temp at least it won't be forever. Since he doesn't seem to be the type to listen, maybe just ignore, completely, anything he says about how 'busy' he is - completely pretend you did not hear it and change the subject. This will possibly make him feel a bit embarrassed as it will send a clear message that you do not care for his moaning.

Thanks for your response. It's only for a few more weeks, but I could be doing it again the same time next year (it's a semester two module only). I think if he's the lecturer on it again though I would turn it down.

That's a great idea, it might feel a bit awkward for me (being a Brit we always have that annoying politeness thing!) but like you say that's sends across such a clear message. Thanks :)