Administrative professionals keep offices running
smoothly
By AARON M. BRIM, Courier Staff Writer
WATERLOO --- Secretaries only have two hands. Or do they?
Today marks Administrative Professionals Day, formerly known as Secretaries Day,
which for employers, bosses, and coworkers is a day to thank administrative
professionals around the world for growing a third, fourth or fifth arm.
"It's the only day of the year I know of that acknowledges the people who do the
behind-the-scenes work," says Julie Johnson, administrative assistant for the
Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors. "A lot of people would say that it's the
other people that aren't in as high of a position that make other people
successful. We're usually the ones making bosses look good."
National Secretaries Week was founded in 1952 by the National Secretaries
Association, now the International Association of Administrative Professionals,
to recognize secretaries for their endeavors in the workplace and to attract
people into the secretarial/administrative field. In 2000, the IAAP changed the
name of the day from Professional Secretaries Day to Administrative
Professionals Day to keep up with the ever-changing responsibilities of the
today's administrative work force
During Johnson's 16-year tenure with the county, she has seen some 18
bosses/supervisors come and go. For her dedicated services, she has received a
number of gifts, including flower and balloon bouquets accompanied by an
occasional Red Lobster lunch.
"Everybody likes to be appreciated," says Johnson. "This would be the day that
they can express that to you."
Johnson represents the norm. When the IAAP polled more than 500 administrative
professionals on what they received in observance of Administrative
Professionals Week, most respondents said lunch, candy, flowers or optional
recognition by individual departments.
After 27 years as executive secretary to the Cedar Falls mayor, Audrey Stefan
will retire at the end of May. Throughout the years she's received fresh spring
flower arrangements and an occasional lunch at the Broom Factory. But if Stefan
could have anything on her day, she would like a day set aside for instruction
in the administrative field.
"Here at my office it will be like any other day. I will still have to carry out
my duties," says Stefan. "Really, I'd probably like a day to attend a conference
or to go to a workshop for further training."
According to the IAAP poll, the majority of administrative professionals would
most like to receive a company-wide observance and a training session for all
administrative staff. Less than 6 percent of administrative employees polled
said they wanted lunch, candy, flowers or other gifts.
But Geri Marquis doesn't mind receiving gifts recognizing her efforts. Every
year, the West High School{M3 secretary is showered with them during this
celebration week. Flowers, candles, gift cards, cash --- you name it, she has
received it.
"I'll come to work in the morning and there will be something waiting for me on
my desk every day of the week," says Marquis, noting the best gift she has
received was $50 cash.
Only one of the administrative professionals polled by IAAP reported receiving a
personal day off. That would be the ultimate gift, says Marquis.
"I love my job here. I'm very proud of the job I do," she says. "But not to have
the phone ring 100 times a day and maybe having some quiet time, that would be
my perfect day."
Some workers just need a pat on the back. Recognizing the hard work of an
employee will earn a boss dividends in the future, says Johnson.
"What I would like to see is write me and tell me that I'm important to you,
that I'm doing a good job. It doesn't matter about lunch and flowers and gift
certificates. I just want affirmation that I've made a difference," she says.
"If people take the time to acknowledge, you're probably going to get more out
of a worker if you recognize their contribution."
# # #