More powerful than a CFO or HR director, these superhuman, multitasking employees do it all, according to a new Staples survey, and they make things happen in the workplace. And they are happy!
They are the “admins.” In honor of Administrative Professionals Day, Staples surveyed both administrative and nonadministrative workers about the role of these employees in their workplace.
The results show admins’ duties—and power— spill over their job descriptions. Their workday runs the gamut from morale boosters to team leaders to budget watchers and even to fashion consultants, babysitters, and matchmakers, say respondents.
The online poll even reported that they often perform human resources functions.
Surprisingly, respondents named admins the second in command in the workplace after the boss and ahead in influence over the CFO and HR director.
And even though admins reported working harder, they also reported they are happy in their jobs and with their companies and would not trade them to be a high-profile celebrity assistant or an admin in a prestigious company.
Oh, and they pet sit, too!
I was an AA before moving into HR. There were times when I watched babies or little ones – mainly when a potential “big wig” came in from out of town for a job interview and brought the family with him. I also became became good “friends” with wives, kids, and “partners” of some of the people I supported since I spoke with them often.
The best was the 2 times I dog-sat:) Once was when someone came in from out of town to do a training. She brought her little dog and didn’t want to leave him in the hotel room all day. So the pooch spent the day with me in my cubicle. I volunteered both times it involved pets:)