Project Materials

STATUS AND IMPACT OF THE SECRETARY IN THE LABOUR MARKET

ABSTRACT

The importance and standing of the secretary in the business world was the focus of this research. Three different organisations in Enugu North participated in the study. Management at different companies could use the study’s findings to better understand secretaries’ value in the corporate sector. A number of hypotheses were developed to ensure the study’s success. These included the following:(1) secretaries are in high demand in the job market when compared to other professions; and(2) job specifications can help people understand the secretary’s function in an organisation. Secretaries and supervisors from various organisations in Enugu North were asked to fill out two sets of questionnaires that addressed these hypotheses. Several conclusions were drawn from the data that was gathered. The most important of these findings was that secretaries are in high demand in the job market compared to other types of workers and that having clearly defined roles helps to appreciate their role. The results informed several suggestions for future action. That secretaries should have their responsibilities defined for better results, that realistic salary structures, automatic car and housing loans, and good working conditions should be in place to keep secretaries in the profession, and that these efforts should be focused on job satisfaction because secretaries are indispensable and demanding in every organisation.Programme for managing projects

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

The Background of the Study 

An ever-growing recognition of secretaries’ indispensable role has resulted from the proliferation of sectors and the complexity of organisation. Secretaries are in high demand across all types of businesses, from large corporations to mom-and-pop shops, and this trend has persisted for some time.

Secretaries do not have well-defined roles since, contrary to popular belief, many occupations were not created with them in mind. Nowadays, many people mistakenly believe that anyone who is proficient with a typewriter but lacks the knowledge of shorthand or stenography is qualified to work as a secretary, regardless of whether they actually possess the other skills and business attributes that set secretaries apart from typists and stenographs. The irony of the secretary’s position is immense.

People who aren’t specialised in secretarial work are sometimes referred to as secretaries, which makes the term “secretary” rather confusing nowadays. In this setting, a secretary’s responsibilities include getting to know her employer’s work and the office’s needs, setting appointments, attending meetings, taking notes, and creating schedules for her manager, as well as any additional work her employer is willing to give her.

Lots of decisions need to be made for these tasks. It is important to highlight that secretaries with degrees from accredited universities are not the same as those with a background in shorthand or typing. The dynamic nature of the industry, together with the expansion of course content, has endowed secretaries with administrative abilities.

Roman (1975) summed up all of the aforementioned traits in a one lengthy line when she stated that:

“A good secretary does not blab what comes to mind. She refrains from trying to command and demand things. She keeps her private life private, does not confide in everyone, and does not try to bring down her boss.

A good secretary is not dogmatic, does not try to foist her own responsibilities on others, does not look down on others, but instead is quietly polite and treats everyone with respect.

She maintains a quiet demeanour, is not overly chatty or elegant, does not pass superficial judgements, and is willing to cooperate and be helpful without trying to negotiate for other people’s duties.

In support of this idea, Shaw (1977) stated that an effective secretary should be able to deal with people of all levels and types and elicit their best reactions in any given situation;

take the initiative to act appropriately; and act as an information conduit between the boss and subordinates. A thorough analysis of the employment turnover rate should be conducted.

This includes the frequency of recruitment, resignation, and changes in designation. For example, secretaries may resign due to their desire for higher pay, their eagerness to get a position, or the high demand for their services in the office.

Still, it’s hard to ignore the abundance of ads for secretarial positions in print media. There may be a lot of need for secretaries, but compared to other professions, secretaries do not receive enough pay or other benefits like training and advancement opportunities.

Many competent secretaries are dissatisfied with their careers because they believe that their accomplishments go unrecognised despite their extensive education and experience.

A personal secretary’s failure to be promoted to a high managerial position is directly related to how little they are used. The secretaries of any given organisation are its public face, thus it’s unlikely that they could accomplish their jobs well without them.

Statement Of The Problem

The general public and those outside of the secretarial profession have long had severe misconceptions about secretaries. Typists and stenographers who serve as Secretarial Assistant IIs are stereotyped as being subservient to their bosses and doing their bidding.

They are seen by others as subordinates who lack the authority to act, even when their superiors give them orders to do so. They have been confronted with all these issues.

Because, no matter how high up the corporate ladder they climb, they will never be boss, people automatically assume that they are the lowest-ranking employees. When working as a secretary, one must inevitably delve into the private life of her boss beyond the scope of her usual responsibilities.

For example, if the cleaner is late, the boss may want the secretary to go to the bank and withdraw money for him, serve him tea whenever he wants, and sweep the office. This could even lead to the boss demanding self-satisfaction. These are some of the issues that secretaries in organisations have had to deal with.

AIM OF THE RESEARCH

The purpose of this research is to learn how secretaries are seen and what their standing is in various organisations. Additionally, it seeks to determine if secretaries are in higher demand than other positions and if their salary is reasonable considering the responsibilities they carry out.

Enquiries into this matter are also underway to determine whether secretaries are considered as mindless machines (wheel operators) that blindly follow orders and are not permitted to participate in managerial functions.

A secondary goal of the study is to identify factors that hinder secretaries’ efficiency and productivity on the job, as well as the frequency with which secretaries leave the field altogether.

Lastly, if put into practice, the finding will guarantee consistency in evaluating employees based on their qualifications and performance.

The significance of the Research

Many people will benefit greatly from the results of this study. Students pursuing careers as secretaries will learn about the secretary’s real and perceived role in the workforce. People often mistake secretaries for typists or stenographers, but this public misunderstanding will be dispelled by the study’s results.

Additionally, it will reveal the value of secretaries in the corporate sector and provide student secretaries with a glimpse into their future prospects upon course completion.

The research will also aid managers in gauging the productivity and efficiency of current and future employees. The significance of motivation and the benefits to secretaries can be better understood by them as a result.

Lastly, if put into practice, the conclusion will guarantee consistency in evaluating employees based on their qualifications and performance.

Scope of the Study

Research in this area focusses on the secretary’s place and influence in the modern workplace. Access is limited to secretaries only for the sake of a comprehensive study that will use a specific organisation in Enugu North L.G.A., Enugu State, as a case study. Ideally, the findings would be seen as having broad applicability.