Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Happy Admin Day

FECK OFF!

I've been an administrator of some kind or other most of my professional career, and I've never gotten so much as a thank you on this day (formerly called Secretary's Day). The first time I heard of it, they said I didn't get the perks because I was a receptionist and not a secretary (really). Then I was a temp and not a regular employee so I didn't get the day off and the gift certificate. Then I didn't get anything because the company used the term "admin assistant" instead of "secretary". Then in 2000 it was changed to Admin Assistants day, but I was a contractor instead of a regular employee. Now I get nothing because I'm still a contractor but also a Database Administrator (note the admin word) and am considered too high up the ladder for a card or day off. So, to every HR policy setter I've reported to over the years, FECK OFF!

A much better article about this is here.

18 comments:

xwy said...

I'm SOL until they institute National Grunt Day. I think we should revolt!

Monogram Queen said...

I'm with you on this one. I can't stand Bosses Day either and it coincides with my birthday *hmmph*

Anonymous said...

well... Happy Day!

I dont think there should be a bosses day either... forces me/you into doing kind gestures for a boss that we would rather give a good swift kick in the butt!

Unknown said...

Happy admin day !!! Know that your work is appreciated. Where would we be without our DBA.

Tai said...

it's a dark day

Anonymous said...

happy rant day.

scream. let it all out. breathe.

Blondie... said...

I've been "adminstrative" since 1999, have a crappy degree stating that too and I have NEVER gotten anything for it. Oh wait, I think I did get a card in 2004... Or was that because I just had my kid? I don't know.

Bleh

Kira said...

Why isn't there a "Worship Kira Day"? That's all I want to know.

Leesa said...

I remember having to make certificates for the Admin staff one year - including one for me. We could not have non-admin types doing admin work now, could we?

PBS said...

When they used to ask me want I wanted for "Secretary's Day" I'd tell them I wasn't a secretary, so they stopped asking. Now when asked what I want for
"Administrative Assistant's Day" I say, "The day off!" So far I've got nothing for either day but that's OK.

Avitable said...

It's just a fake holiday manufactured by Hallmark. I hate those holidays and think everyone should boycott them.

The Stiltwalker said...

sorry grant. but there's no statistician day either. bastards.

Grant said...

angie - you start the revolution, and I'll be right behind you.

patti - there definitely shouldn't be a bosses' day because every day really is bosses' day. I think Hallmark invented that one.

kerry - be sure to put a bow on your shoe when you deliver that kick so your boss won't misinterpret the gesture.

sj - thanks.

tai - there's been talk of a revolt.

fatty - I'm doing the third one, but they'll have security escort me out if I do #'s 1 and 2, and I've already been there and done that.

blondie - most places don't bother with it since it's cheaper to ignore us.

kira - why, every day is Worship Kira day.

leesa - one of the last things I did in the Army was to type up the paperwork for a certificate giving some guy credit for the work I did. I wasn't even an office worker - I was an Infantryman who know how to use a keyboard.

pbs - you should have taken advantage no matter what they want to call it.

avitable - according to the article I linked, it was actually some secretary's organization that started it in the fifties, but I'm sure Hallmark has done all it can to promote the holiday.

stiltwalker - why, every day is... actually, I hated hearing "Every day is children's day" while growing up. I guess the statisticians will have to join our revolt.

Joe said...

Sure...blame it on the poor HR people....

Eternity said...

Kind of like how calling home was long distance the entire time I was in University but the day after I graduated it became a local calling number. I see that Irony loves you too.

Josh said...

I can't decorate for that day, so I'm not very interested ;)

Grant said...

joe - I'm still a little bitter that my last HR manager had me fired under the company's Zero Tolerance for Workplace Violence policy. I said I hated my job, which she said was an expression of a strong emotion which was on the company guidelines as a red flag for violent behaviour and so I was technically not fired, just encouraged to quit if I wanted to get out with a severance package.

eternity - I believe irony is the strongest force in the universe.

liz - can't you hang typewriters around your house?

paul said...

admit it grant - if you didn't have a violent thought before the discussion with the HR person, i'm pretty sure the red flag went up shortly after ;)

for what it's worth - most of the people i work with who are 'honoured' by this day can't stand it, or find it mildly insulting.

don't mind joe - i think he's still sensitive about being read his own speech still (and rightly so).