It is clear that the secretary/clerical function has become more professional in recent years and has made work more interesting, allowing staff to have their own outcomes. However, with this, a few unpleasant side issues have arisen. Work place stress has occurred; resources don’t always match the increase in student numbers. There is increased stress, increased expectations, unrealistic deadlines, lunch breaks are often forgone to play catch up, there are more demanding students, a perceived lack of promotion opportunities, and email has made work become urgent and insistent, and most of all, unseen to others.
When discussing the value of those involved in secretarial/clerical and administrative work, it is interesting to note that in the States and other countries, a nationwide event called “Administrative Professionals Day” is observed annually to recognise the work of secretaries, administrators, receptionists and other administrative support professionals. Originating in 1952 (and originally called National Secretary’s Day), it seems worthy to report that a secretary is still the top job for women in the States – this was true in 1950 and was still true in 2010. The trend shows no sign of abating.
Job titles have evolved over time for a variety of reasons. Some companies have infused creativity into their job titles as a way to elevate otherwise generic-sounding positions. Others have doled out inventive titles in lieu of promotions or pay raises. Common practice these days is for companies to steer clear of gender-specific job titles, or ones that have politically incorrect undertones, to avoid any chance of discrimination and to show that gender is irrelevant to the performance of the job. Order a sandwich at Subway, and you’ll be assisted by one of their “sandwich artists.” When perusing the Apple store for a computer or iPad, be sure to ask a “genius” for help.
Within modern day HE establishments, equality issues enjoy high visibility but sadly, historical stereotypes do still prevail in relation to clerical and administrative positions – e.g. sexism, professional snobbery and intellectual elitism. Furthermore, the government looks at gender disparity among academics yet the secretary/clerical/administrative workers sits alongside the likes of technicians, domestic staff and a whole tranche of university staff who can sometimes be overlooked.
So there you go – call us secretaries, clerical workers, assistants, administrative officers – whatever. We can do it all. Whatever you call us, we, as higher education administrative professionals, will keep the offices running, whilst technology and budgets and corporatisation continually shape and influence our roles. Remember too, we are more likely to be of the female variety. It doesn’t mean that we aren’t capable of doing anything else – it just means we’re better at it – perhaps better at the more detail oriented stuff, which is a necessity in our line of work with students paying hefty fees for a quality service and experience.
Professor Laurie Taylor (Times Higher Education, 28th May 2015) recently summarised perceived problems between academics and administrators as – perceived lack of value of administrative work; the innate academic suspicion/rejection of management and manager; and the academic disdain for ‘enthusiasm’ (seriousness being what is valued); lack of identity with the institution (academics as ‘citizens of the world’). Furthermore that administrators should, in essence, put up with it, to enable academics to go about their excellent business. Simeon Underwood responded by suggesting administrators work hard on their messages/communications with academics (fewer words like ‘must’), be alert to the costs of what you propose, and third – visit the academics face-to-face; write less and talk more. Certainly the third and first of these are easy to address and should be taken up by anyone (academic or admin) and will see quick returns in cooperation and collaboration. Get out and speak to people, then write to them in a collaborative and personable manner.