Ah, yes, one of those very silly holidays in which people assuage their guilt with token gestures of appreciation to those they exploit the whole rest of the year (see also: Mother’s Day, Labor’s Day, Earth Day, etc.).
But this is not a Pit thread, so no more whining from me. I just wanted to recognize the day, and wish all the best to my fellow long-suffering secretaries, administrative assistants, office coordinators and other assorted staffpeople.
Here’s to Post-it notes and paperclips, with which we shall rule the world!
I got in to work this morning and there was a lovely box of Godiva chocolates and a card on my desk from one of my Directors (incidentally, the only woman in the department). I have only been working in this department for about 2 months, and we just finished a pretty gruelling budget process, so I figured she was just being appreciative.
AL (off to guilt trip the 35 MEN for whom I slave)
NoClueBoy, you are unrelentingly naughty, and it is clear to me now that I should never have mentioned my pantalogical difficulties in your presence.
But you make me laugh, so I love you anyway. AnnaLucretia: I’d never have known myself, if my boss hadn’t brought it up. I kind of wish she hadn’t, because now I have to go to lunch with her, which is always incredibly awkward.
I worked at a law firm for a couple of years that had staff appreciation week. Yes, a whole WEEK to shower us with gifts, food, etc. I still miss all the nice bribery…and nice it was!
Call it what you will, is it just me, or is this holiday to remind the low-level workers of their humble status?
Once I got a box of chocolates or something from some old guy whose memos I had typed as a favor. I had no idea I was his secretary until he gifted me on Secretary’s Day. The sting of that insult will be with me for a while to come, I’m afraid.
bouv: the term used is irrelevant. It’s the concept of “I serve you; you are served by me” as opposed to “we both serve the organization.”
I have no problem with secretaries conceptually; but if that’s what I am, I’d like to be informed in advance, not on Secretaries’ Day with a box of chocolates. Give me a break.
The old guy I mentioned was a special case. I took pity on him because he couldn’t use his computer at all. Turns out I had made myself into his secretary, in his mind, and I wasn’t aware of the fact. Until Secretaries’ Day, that is.
I lobbied HR for over a year to have my title changed to Girl Friday. No one would let me.
<snif>
AL
PS my Primary Boss (I have 5 on paper, about 40 in practice) has taken to throwing paper airplanes at me every so often today to “show his appreciation”. That ain’t right!
Ugh, I’m stuck in a bad situation. We have two administrative assistants, one of whom is truly and always helpful, while the other one (although yes, I know how INCREDIBLY trying her job is since she is at the front desk, and I’ve had front-line jobs before) is… well, Bad Attitude Personified.
How to do this… how to do this… without really offending one or the other, I mean…
Who invented that? Who decided the administrative folks are the ones deserving of special recognition and flowers and stuff? I like our group’s secretary - she’s a nice person. She does her job. We do ours. Yeah, we’re paid more, but as engineers, our job requirements and responsibilities are quite a bit more than hers. So why does she get a special day? Seems to me if the boss-person wants to recognize her contributions, she’s likely to prefer a check over a potted plant or a lunch. After all, when we do good, we get cash awards.
I tend to think that the biggest crock o’ shit is “Bosses’ Day.”
wtf?
it’s not good enough that i slave for you and get paid shit, i have to buy you a present too?
riiiight.
i’m glad that my boss and i are cool- no gift exchange except xmas and b-days. and that’s usually family oriented. (stuff for our kids or office decor)
