CURWENSVILLE – Even though the unemployment rate is dropping and leading economic indicators are improving, many American workers are still financially and emotionally struggling with the toll of the recession, which is why this year the International Association of Administrative Professionals and admins worldwide will celebrate all office professionals on Administrative Professionals Day.
While experts report the economy is recovering, only nine percent of administrative professionals believe they’ll see an improvement in their salaries and benefits this year. In a recent IAAP survey admins were asked about cuts their company implemented on its workforce and if the coming year would be better. Of the 3,376 office workers that responded, 44 percent said employees’ salaries were frozen with 10 percent noting that salaries were cut. Health benefits also hit the chopping block. Thirty-six percent of employees saw health benefits affected with14 percent who saw their health benefits eliminated and another 12 percent who had to pitch in more of their paycheck to pay for benefits. Other benefits cut were: retirement plan, 12 percent; bonus pay, 14 percent. Even holiday parties were eliminated with 36 percent missing their December dose of cheer.
What the survey also revealed is that the majority of admins (76 percent) aren’t too hopeful that the financial climate in their offices will improve. Respondents believe their benefits and salaries will either remain the same (45 percent) or be cut further (22 percent). Only nine percent believe pre-recession salaries and benefits will be reinstated. Even though the recovery is picking up speed, workers doubt they’ll see a benefit anytime soon.
“We know everyone in the office has pulled together during the recession, not just administrative professionals. With that in mind, we want to applaud the efforts of all office professionals,” said IAAP President Mary Ramsay-Drow, CPS/CAP. “That’s why in 2011 IAAP and admins around the globe want to include all office professionals for recognition on Administrative Professionals Day.”
IAAP is the world’s leading association for administrative professionals, with nearly 600 chapters and approximately 28,000 members worldwide. IAAP is the sole sponsor of Administrative Professionals Week April 24-30, 2011 and Administrative Professionals Day on Wednesday, April 27 (formerly called Professional Secretaries Week® and Professional Secretaries Day). Further information, including history and a facts sheet on APW, is available from the IAAP website at: www.iaap-hq.org/events/apw.
Join with IAAP on April 27 to celebrate the hard work of all office professionals. Why don’t you honor your administrative professional this year by paying her way to the dinner sponsored by the Clear-Penn Chapter of IAAP. Our dinner will be held on April 27, at the Elks Club in Clearfield at 6:00 p.m. and the cost is $15.00. Lynette Timko, will be our guest speaker with her presentation being Color Me Beautiful. Reservations can be made by email to baumbee@verizon.net or by calling Peggy at 765-9526 or Alice at 236-2443. Please make your reservations no later than April 20.