A serious indictment of work/life benefits is that too many of them are geared to high-ranking professionals who generally are free to set their own schedules and don’t have to put in 40 hours of face time to do their jobs. But it doesn’t have to be that way. All workers, including the nation’s 14 million workers who are support staff, deserve to be valued–and to have a life.
“Today’s workers lead complex lives, juggling work, family, friendships, interests and obligations,” according to Sandra Burud and Marie Tumolo, authors of “Leveraging the New Human Capital” (Davies-Black, $35.95). “This … could be seen as irrelevant, a nuisance and a potential drain on their work performance … [but] these experiences create an enormous advantage to organizations precisely because they enable workers to develop high-level social skills. … However, these skills are a plus only if organizations recognize their worth and use them.”
Additionally, there are other cutting-edge skills that administrative staffers, in particular, have: “As reliance on technology continues to expand in the workplace, the role of the office professional also has greatly expanded,” observed Sally Kelley-Haywood, professor of information technology and coordinator of the office administration and software applications programs at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights.
Expecting full-time commitment from support staff is not unreasonable on the part of employers. But at the same time, many businesses are reluctant to allow their executive assistants, secretaries, clerical workers and office managers to participate in work/life programs that include flexible hours, telecommuting or job sharing–programs often made possible by the new technology.
Instead, many employers want support personnel in the office, all day, every day. And that’s a mistake, says Lorinda Lewis, principal of Corporate Training and Consulting, a business consulting firm based in Blue Springs, Mo. Lewis, a business trainer, specializes in communication, management and leadership skills.
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“Administrative assistants support the work flow, process information and manage projects,” said Lewis, who has a bachelor’s degree in business and communication and has been a professional trainer since 1985. “If every single one of them took off the same day, businesses would shut down and there would be chaos because they are the backbone of every organization.”
But what if some of them, instead of taking off the same day, merely wanted some flexibility in their work schedules to attend to family responsibilities? Will that ever happen? Lewis, who recently gave a talk titled “Creating Work/Life Balance” at the annual Administrative Professionals Conference, believes it eventually will occur. However, administrative assistants themselves will have to bring it about.
“When you’re asked to work late or weekends and it interferes with your personal responsibilities, just say no,” said Lewis, who worked as an administrative assistant to supplement her college tuition. “Know what your boundaries are and be clear about your priorities and expectations for yourself.”
Of course, she emphasizes, before you can ask for a new work arrangement, “you first have to prove your worth and value. Track your accomplishments and use that information to negotiate flextime or telecommuting. You have to show your level of productivity because most employers don’t see it and also take it for granted because the work gets done–even if you have to stay till 7 p.m.”
But you are the one who will have to ask; it probably won’t be offered. “Take the initiative,” Lewis urged. “Create a plan, a schedule, and go for it. When it’s approved, implement it, whether it’s for flexibility, a compressed workweek, telecommuting, job sharing, or the ability to come in later or leave earlier as necessary.”
And don’t forget to work some fun into your life.
“Go to the movies now and then,” Lewis advised. “But don’t share your popcorn with anyone.”
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Carol Kleiman’s columns also appear in Monday’s and Thursday’s Business sections. Hear her on WBBM-AM 780 at 6:21 p.m. and 10:22 p.m. Mondays and 11:20 a.m. Saturdays. Watch her “Career Coach” segments on CLTV. E-mail [email protected].