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Ottawa (21 April 2021) — Once known as "Secretaries' Day," April 21 is now celebrated as Administrative Professionals Day. Historically, these workers were shown gratitude with gifts of cards, flowers, chocolates, and lunches for their hard work.
Administrative professional roles deserve respect, not flowers
Today, we celebrate the day by acknowledging the depth, breadth, and importance of their role in our workplaces. The day now recognizes the contributions of many more people who work as administration professionals: administrative assistants, executive assistants, personal assistants, receptionists, client services representatives, and other administrative support professionals.
Society still views the work of administrative professionals as "women's work." By continuing this gendered outlook, these roles are often underpaid despite the enormous expectations. Support work is difficult, especially when there are age- old expectations like being unflappable, approachable, and diplomatic. Administrative professionals are expected to make things happen, even in the worst of situations but may not be getting the professional respect they deserve.
Despite the ever-growing responsibilities these workers are given, some of the working conditions remain similar to those decades ago.
COVID-19 changed roles
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) represents thousands of administrative professionals doing valuable work across our country. COVID-19 has had a massive impact on these workers. Without much notice or training, many administrative professionals were moved to working from home. They have had to quickly adapt to new ways of doing things — new processes, new technology, and increased workloads.
"We need to recognize that administrative professionals have been placed in difficult circumstances where their entire environment has been uprooted," said Larry Brown, NUPGE President. "Adapting to change is not always easy, but these workers have led the way in rising to the challenges before them."
Good wages, benefits, pensions better way to say thank you
"If today is about showing our gratitude and respect for administrative professionals, then we need to make sure that when we ask them to step up to a new challenge, we provide the support they require to continue doing their work. We need to make sure that they are working safely, and achieving a work/life balance," said Brown. "But employers also need to make sure they are being paid a good wage, receiving benefits, and pensions so they can have retirement security. It means addressing harassment and discrimination that continue to happen in the workplace and online."
"These workers deserve our respect for the work they do every day, not just today," said Brown. "But today, we want to say Thank you. Thank you for your dedication and hard work. I don't know where we'd be without you!"