Campaigning for Receptionists Country Wide

[bullfrog]

tbh, I didn't really know the difference before your post either.

I do think it's a great idea though and think that everyone in the work place should be appreciated. No matter how seemingly insignificant their jobs may seem. In my opinion receptionists fall into the group of workers that seem insignificant, but play a much bigger role in the smooth running of a business/company. Therefore I only think it's fair that they get their own day

[Debbiedle]

Yup! Yay! Bullfrog....you got it.............underpaid and under appreciated.......this position as a traditionally female domain, encompasses much more than most..........

1. It was THE entry level position for many business woman from the 60's and 70's - many successful business woman today started their careers as receptionists.

2. It is TODAY an icon of achievement for many South Africans who started life with little emphasis on education and advancement but more so on survival.

3. It is a position where juniors are employed with little training, little background, no support and much responsibility to carry the name of the company out there with absolute professionalism? Huh? Go figure!

AND most of these ladies swim, against all odds where they are seldom thanked or even relieved of their duties to make a trip to the powder room......

I am now even beginning to see and occasional male face at the training and they are battling......they cannot believe how much needs to be addressed simultaneously!!

So me? I vouch that you ALL sign the petition NOW! Receptionists or not...

[Dave A]

*Makes note to customise training session for Dave's receptionist.........
maybe new advanced approach to answering the phone..........Ya, waddya want, NOOOO, that cockroach hasn't been to the office for days...." *

I do think it's a great idea though and think that everyone in the work place should be appreciated. No matter how seemingly insignificant their jobs may seem.

That's so sweet!

Let's start a campaign for floor-sweepers day while we're about it.
We've finally got boss's day. But I think we need Directors' Day, Managers' Day... and I propose they all fall on Pay Day

[Debbiedle]

Come to think of it, why don't we have a "Sweep the floor with Managers Day?"

[Dave A]

Managers sweep the floor regularly - with a withering glance from the door. Does wonders for productivity

[Debbiedle]

Oh clever indeed! You know full well that I meant to say................

Use managers body as broom handle and hair as bristles - translated as "sweep the floor with managers"

[Dave A]

I hope that "broom" operator has read the instruction manual and completed the mandatory site safety training.

Oooooo! That was too smooth!! I was looking for a good debate here *stomps off , looking for someone else to badger*

What can I say. Round here your wish is my command

Getting serious for a moment, I think the campaign is a fairly good idea. My reservations about getting so specific are really out of concern for escalation. However, such a campaign performs an important function - raising awareness that even what might be considered by some as the "lesser cogs" of the business machine play an important part, deserve to be treated with respect and recognised for their contribution.

/Drops back into mode:

We do that through something called remuneration

[Debbiedle]

Personally I believe that this may in fact be a bigger tool to have receptionists take themselves and their profession seriously, because it stands to reason that if THEY do, everyone else will!

I remember the receptionist at one of my first places of employment. A waste removal company! This woman was young, but always impeccably groomed, extremely serious about her work and very professional in her approach....the result? Her attitude filtered through to ALL the office staff and those (like the drivers) who had contact with the office. This company grew from zero to hero in a few years and is today JSE listed.

I believe she played her part!

[Dave A]

I remember the receptionist at one of my first places of employment. A waste removal company!

/Must bite tongue. Must bite tongue

[Yvonne]

Have to confess to the reaction, darn!, next we need to acknowledge everyone in this way.

I resisted the temptation to post that, but I have been thinking about it.
Why the need for a "day" for any particular position in a company.

There will always be "excellent" receptionists and also seriously deficient secretaries!

You should not "spoil" them according to their position - if we insist on a Secretary's day, or a receptionist day, perhaps we then need a "Tea lady" day? (She could possibly be the most appreciated employee in the company).

Sorry to be such a spoil sport, but it is how I feel.

Your own decision to specifically set aside a day to treat your receptionist really special as a thank you - will be more appreciated when it is not an expected "norm"!

Yvonne