Is Administrative Professionals Day a demeaning holiday?

[L A Woman]

I am an Admin Assistant (struggling writer!) and one of my co-workers wished me a Happy Secretary's Day and now I am fighting back tears. It's not that I look down on secretaries, but for some reason I feel demeaned by this holiday.

Am I wrong to feel this way? I hate Hallmark and all their fake holidays, but this one really pisses me off.

:-(

[skygazer]

1. Well, what does it celebrate?

Does it celebrate anything or is it just another chance for Hallmark to sell yet another card? Does anyone really appreciate Administrative Professionals on that day or do they curse silently and say to themselves, "Hmph, better get the ol' battle-ax a card or she'll make me pay for it the rest of the month." Does it offer anything at all or just the opportunity to buy a $1.99 card rather than pay the help what they really deserve?

I hate all those fake, made-up Hallmark holidays - and yes, to a certain extent, they seem insulting to me. Like we're not smart enough to realize that they're not about actually "showing someone you care" but are about selling more cheap cards.

That said, if your co-worker was sincere.... well, that's kinda nice.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. I am sorry you're fighting back the tears at work......

I've been in that place myself, and it's awful!

I hope your co-worker meant to truly compliment you......

:hug:

[Pied Piper]

29. Hi CaliPeggy

You always manage to say the right thing.

I was an "Administrative Secretary" and an "Administrative Assistant" and finally, an "Executive Assistant" over a period of 7 years or so at the same company. My pay was always at the bottom of the totem pole. I'm now the IT Helpdesk Administrator (although that's not my actual title...). But I worked hard and got things done, and now my reputation is such that, if anyone wants to get something done, and get it done right the first time, they come straight to me. The Management kind of resents my presence, because after 13 years at the same company, I know where all of the bodies are buried (figuratively), and, in one case, where the ashes were scattered (literally true, I shit you not!).

We never earn what we feel we deserve, nor are we always treated with the respect that we deserve, but I know that I sleep well every night after turning in another fine day's work. Besides, my company only "owns" me for 40 hours/week. That leaves 128 hours for me and my other pursuits. I'm one of the lucky ones - I love my job and the company I work for, even though it is every bit as disfunctional as any real family.

Bottom line: No matter what your title or salary, if you do a great job and are reliable, you will be one of the most highly respected members of the staff. No one cares about the Senior Management. Anyone who works in an office-type environment knows who does the most valuable work, and trust me on this, it is NEVER a member of "Senior Management".

So chin up, pals, keep on truckin'. After all, it's only money... There is far more to life than owning a McMansion in the 'burbs.

Over and out.

[Bridget Burke]

3. You would not feel demeaned if you did not look down on secretaries.

I don't care for many of the "new" holidays.

But "Administrative Assistant" is just a new title for Secretary. I've done secretarial work--back when that was the only available title. It paid the rent & I met some interesting people. (Murderers, pimps, car thieves; I worked for a criminal lawyer.)

Perhaps you think that Administrative Assistant sounds more "professional" than Secretary. It is NOT professional to cry at work.

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. "It is NOT professional to cry at work." It happens and it underscores

the human being underneath the "professional"...After all, by adulthood, we should all be pros at being human.

[L A Woman]

6. well, that is not really true

Secretaries make a LOT more money than admin assistants (in Los Angeles, many of them make six figures!) and are expected to be able to type really fast, take dictation and that kind of stuff.

I don't look down on them - it's just that this holiday is a reminder that I have not achieved my goals. AND it's so fake. I hate fake.

[dr.strangelove]

10. really, we pay our admin assistants way more than secretaries

My assistant makes over $65,000. The legal secretaries start around $35,000.

[L A Woman]

17. oh...maybe it's just semantics...

I have a friend who is called an "executive secretary" - she works for a record company and makes over $100K a year and has the most amazing perks. Last year she got a $10,000 bonus for Christmas! I could slap her. :-)

[Midlodemocrat]

8. Back when I was teaching high school

and putting myself through grad school, I worked as a temp in offices in a secretarial position. I met my husband that way.

That being said. All honest work is something of which to be proud, not ashamed.

[JuniperLea]

19. Amen! n/t

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. What are you first and foremost? That's right...a human being.

At the end of the day all that matters is that you can sleep with yourself. I do not care for these "holidays" either, BUT don't let it define who you are. I was a waitress and then a Hairstylist for 10 years (when people thought of hairstylists as high school drop outs), but you know what else I was? A good mother, a caring friend and a decent neighbor. Keep that first and foremost in your mind today. I think you are a wonderful human being. :hug:

[miss_american_pie]

7. Feelings are never wrong. They just are.

And if I may gently suggest, perhaps you're more upset with being seen as an admin assistant and not a writer?

:hug:

[dr.strangelove]

9. I don't think so

As a typical lawyer, I depend on my assistant more than any other person. She is my living calendar and my memory bank for information I need at a moment's notice. In what it also unfortunately typical, I tend to forget to tell her as frequently as I should that she is such an important part of my work and success. There is nothing demeaning about the work she does. She is an incredibly gifted woman with a deep memory, incredible organization skills and the ability to make anyone seem like they are the center of the world. In addition to organizing my work, she ensures bills are paid, collects our fees, oversees other non-legal staff, keeps up relations with clients and is always pleasant.

This day gives me the kick in the ass to remind her of her importance to me when I should be doing it more frequently. It also lets me schedule in time to talk with her. We have lunch every year on or about this day. In the hectic day to day work activities, I often forget to ask about her kids or tell her about mine. We use this as a time to catch up.

I tend to do something similar at the end of the year between thanksgiving and Hanukkah, so this is a very good time (5-6 months later).

I am all for getting a kick in the ass from hallmark to remember how important it is to thank this wonderful person for her hard work and dedication. I don't see anything demeaning about the work an admin assistant does or thanking them for their work.

[L A Woman]

11. that is really nice of you

i think this is just a personal problem for me...i don't think my co-workers are trying to hurt me - i think they really appreciate me. it's just not where i want to be. :-(

[MissMillie]

16. It's perfectly okay to want more for yourself

but please remember, there's no shame in doing what you are doing now and doing it well. Consider it a stepping stone, if you must.

Your co-workers are really just trying to show you that they appreciate you. When people do and say nice things for you, accept these things in the spirit in which they are given.

[Bridget Burke]

14. I don't know any office workers who are "demeaned" by a free lunch....

Or a gift (unless it's from Frederick's of Hollywood). I do data-related work but am sometimes grouped in with the Administrative team at my job. No problem.

However, some people think they are "really" something other than what they do for a living. Your job does not define you, but Administrative Assistants should try to be GOOD AA's. If they are ALSO writers, good for them; they should ALSO be working on their writing. Just as many of them are ALSO working at being good parents.

[JuniperLea]

20. Thanks for that!

Good to hear your POV amidst all this condescension. I'm sure your assistant appreciates you and your generosity and kindness. I'm proud to be an Executive Assistant and with a caring boss such as yourself, I'm betting your assistant feels the same way.

It's an honorable profession. Yes, profession. You can't just wake up one day, decide to become an assistant and then become a good one.

[Debi]

26. Oh, from a lawyer!!!

The lawyer I work for (and am also married to) is unaware what today is. I plan on telling him tonight and making him serve me dinner!!! :P

When I worked at a firm the attorneys gave us gifts today, gifts at Christmas, gifts on our 'anniversary' and gifts on our birthday.

I love my work (as I did at the firm I worked for before) and liked the day set aside to be appreciated (we always reciprocated on Bosses day in October). I also felt good helping my attorney(s) be successful.

Obviously now my attorney's success is VERY important to me - I want food at home so he can serve me dinner tonight!!;)

[Mrs.Matcom]

12. I'm sorry you're upset.

I guess it depends on how it is presented. :hug:

I was an admin and it meant a lot to me to get a card that said "thank you for all you do for me." Yes it would have been nice to get more pay, but that is not always an option when you work for a big company.

Now I am on the other side and I know the admin that works with me likes the recognition. I tell her thank you every day, but I am not in the position to give her more money. Believe me, if I could give her more money I would! I bought her a card and a gift certificate to her favorite store. She was very appreciative. She does a lot for me and I used to do that job so I know how difficult it can be. She also covers for me when I am out on vacation, so I bring her a little gift when I come back as a thank you.

[El Fuego]

13. I was really PISSED OFF

Once I was employed at a firm as an ENGINEER, and I was given a $50.00 check for Secretary's Day just because the "other girls" all got checks.

x( I wanted to tell the boss what to do with his check. :grr:

[Burma Jones]

15. Only when you race them for money........

Nobody should be ashamed to be a Secretary, well, except Rumsfeld perhaps.......

[JuniperLea]

18. Oh, I think you DO look down on secretaries, or you wouldn't feel slighted

We are ALL struggling writers/actors/singers/dancers here in LA. If you are good enough as an assistant, you'll make more doing that than many people who are "struggling" and competing with you for those other jobs. Being a "secretary" was "plan B" for me for many years... until I stopped looking down on secretaries.

I'm an Executive Assistant and most of my duties DO NOT include typing! I manage a staff, a couple of budgets, some PR and some ER. I make a decent amount of money (I won't say how much because I think that sort of thing is beyond crass) and receive thousands of dollars in bonuses. I've worked for real estate tycoons, heads of major financial institutions and most recently for an heiress to a major distillery family fortune. I'm now working for a major PR firm. It's a kick! In my adventures as an EA, I've met more names than I care to drop right now. I own my own home and I'm well respected at work, in corporate America and my own community.

And my boss took me here for lunch:

http://www.californiaclub.org/

And there's a nice bouquet of flowers on my desk too.

Some of my peers make well over $250k a year, plus bonuses and stock options. I aspire to be in that league one day, and actually, I'm well on my way. Don't look down on us! We aren't typists! I've never taken dictation in my life! I don't get coffee for the boss either! I'm just a very smart, nice lady who knows how to smooth things over and make things happen. What I don't know I can find out easily enough. If the truth be known, we ARE the bosses... we run the businesses and make our bosses look good.

I wasn't burnt up about this day at all until I saw all the condescension! Jeez!

[RevCheesehead]

21. I'm sorry you're feeling bad about this day.

I think the idea (beyond the Hallmark Conspiracy Theory :tinfoilhat:) is to show appreciation to those who work so very hard, often with very little recognition.

Be glad that someone remembered, and was thinking of you. :hug:

[mduffy31]

22. I don't know if you really should be pissed.

I think that the people who made this up really did want to show some appreciation for people who in my opinion are not acknowledged enough sometimes. Most of the time they are shit on. I know where I work the owners show no appreciation or do anything for us except during nurses week. I mean they got pissed when on New Years Eve they left 25 dollars for us to get some food from Applebees for us and the clients. Now that was for 7 people mind you and they make 100k every month from state funding. So the head nurse said fuck that and ordered and let everyone order what they want. The bill came to a little over $100 and the office went mad. I know that was really unnecessary but I thought I would share it.

:rant:

[L A Woman]

27. i thought about it all day and i believe i know why it bothers me

it's because people like me - and the maintenance staff and a few others - get the lowest pay, the least benefits, all the shit work and one day a year on this fake holiday we get to be singled out in a very awkward and contrived way and given a card or whatever. "we know we shit on you every single day, but we're sure this card will make up for it." then tomorrow they can go back to shitting on me and not feel guilty about it.

if you REALLY appreciate me, give me a day off out of the blue some time. do something that means something and do it because you want to - not because it's on the calendar and you feel obligated.

having said that, i did put a big smile on my face today because i didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. but i hate the holiday! i hate it!!!!!

where is Janitor's Day? i am waiting for hallmark to come up with that one.

[Left Is Write]

23. I've worked as an administrative assistant...

and my skill level was not as high as that of a genuine secretary. Becoming a secretary would have been a promotion for me (this was 15+ years ago).

I wouldn't mind being mistaken for a secretary, but I really don't understand "Administrative Professionals Day" either. I was just thinking about that today. Why not "Sanitation Workers Day" or "Retail Clerks" day or "Waitstaff Day" or some such?

I know that admin support people do a LOT for those they support, but employers should be showing appreciation through decent salaries and bonuses, not necessarily lunch and a bouquet of flowers (but those are both nice gestures anyway).

[Beaverhausen]

24. Is that today? Damn - no one got me anything. Screw them!

I got a nice bunch of stuff from Bath and Body Works last year.

[L A Woman]

28. haha. and you know what is funny?...

last year, Boss's Day was on Saturday. :-)

[Rabrrrrrr]

25. I always took it as an honor. i also proudly called myself a secretary.

There is no shame in it - it is an honorable job, in my opinion, and I was proud to have been one for the years that I was.

The problem on your end could be that you know it's not your ultimate desstination - at least, if you can make the writing a go, so it's a reminder that you aren't yet a professional writer. But when i was a secretary, I also was doing so while transitioning somewhere else (from a job in which I had a secretary; to a job in which I now have a secretary). And while it was a reminder that I was not yet where I was destined to be, it was also a reminder that, at the time, that's where I was, and so I should take pride and joy in where I was at the moment instead of lament where I was not yet.