New year resolutions for the boss

As the revelry of Christmas celebrations become nothing but a distant (and often hazy), memory, thoughts inevitably turn to New Yearís resolutions. A snapshot survey of 125 PAs and secretaries on behalf of office support recruiter La Crme has revealed the top resolutions they wish their boss would make.

Over half of office support professionals felt that they would benefit from further training and would like their boss to recognise this. ì Thereís so much more that we can offerî, said one respondent ì My boss has to prepare a lot of presentations and pays an outside consultancy to design them ñ with the relevant training, I could do that ñ and broaden my knowledge base at the same timeî.

Over a quarter felt that their boss should make them feel a real part of the team ñ rather than merely a necessary support function. ì Itís always the sameî, said one PA, ì When things are going badly we get the brunt of it but we never get the praise when things are going wellî

The New year, new career scenario in January is a regular trend , says Jo Stuteley, UK Director of La Crme ñ and its often driven by the fact that promises made by employers just donít materialise. Good office support staff are the backbone of an organisation ñ and the war for talent retention is key.

The top five resolutions were:

ï Include office support staff in mentoring and training programmes
ï Think about tasks that you outsource and consider whether your secretary or PA could take on some of that responsibility
ï Appreciate the additional skills that office support staff have to offer ñ and make use of them
ï Ask for opinions ñ and encourage input
ï Encourage initiative ñ and reward good work