More Than Four in Five Workers and Managers Believe Administrative Staff Are More Vital to an Organization's Success Than in the Past (88%/86%) and Will be Even More Vital in the Future (86%/82%)
Nine in ten (88%) Canadians working in an administrative role `agree' (40% strongly/48% somewhat) that `they feel that administrative support professionals are more vital to an organization's success today in the past', while only one in ten (13%) `disagree' (1% strongly/12% somewhat). A similar proportion (85%) of business decision makers `agree' (32% strongly/52% somewhat) that this sentiment, compared to just 15% who `disagree' (1% strongly/14% somewhat).
These workers will also continue to be a pivotal component for businesses looking ahead according to workers and managers. Nearly nine in ten (86%) of administrative workers `agree' (86%) that `they feel that administrative support professionals will become more vital to an organization's success in the future, when compared to today', while one in ten (14%) `disagree' (2% strongly/12% somewhat). More than four in five (82%) of business decisions makers also `agree' (25% strongly/57% somewhat) with this claim, with just one in five (18%) `disagreeing' (1% strongly/17% somewhat).
With today's modern working environment demanding more from its workers, those working in administrative roles have identified changes in their role since they began their career.
In fact, four in five (79%) administrative support professionals report some form of change in their role since it began, with half (49%) stating it demands a broader role and expectations in day-to-day activities. Other changes identified include a greater responsibility in day-to-day activities (42%) and having more flexibility in tasks and working environment (32%). Just one in ten (14%) state that the role hasn't changed during the duration of their career, while 4% aren't sure if there has been any change.
Administrative workers report having to do a variety of different tasks that are expected of them as part of their day-to-day responsibilities ranging from customer support to marketing tasks. Majority (57%) cite doing customer service tasks, while half are expected to perform financial (46%) or secretarial (45%) tasks. Four in ten (41%) complete office and executive management tasks while one in three (33%) are responsible for IT tasks and activities. One in five (20%) cite completed sales and marketing tasks while a quarter (25%) perform other tasks.
- Women are more likely than men to perform most of these tasks, especially secretarial tasks (57% vs. 30% of men), although men are more likely to be responsible for IT activities (39% vs. 29% of women)
Contrasting Views on Compensation...
While workers and managers are in near complete agreement about the importance of administrative support professionals to the success of their organization, the two differ greatly when it comes to matters concerning compensation of these professionals.
Nearly three quarters (72%) of business decision makers `agree' (20% strongly/52% somewhat) that `they feel administrative support professionals are better compensated today than in the past', while more than one in four (28%) `disagree' (2% strongly/26% somewhat). This compares to fewer than three in five (57%) administrative workers who similarly `agree' (11% strongly/47% somewhat) with this sentiment, with nearly half (43%) `disagreeing' (12% strongly/31% somewhat).
A similar proportion of managers (72%) `agree' (18% strongly/54% somewhat) that `they feel that administrative support professionals are compensated as well as they should be for the number of types of tasks expected today, while 28% `disagree' (4% strongly/24%). Conversely, only a minority (47%) of administrative support professionals `agree' (9% strongly/37% somewhat) with this assessment, while a majority (53%) `disagree' (13% strongly/40% somewhat).
Although managers and workers differ with respects to deserved and comparable compensation levels, they are on par with each when it comes to how much administrative support workers actually earn, although there is some differences when it comes to upper and lower compensation ranges.
Majority of managers (58%) and workers (54%) believe that the typical range of annual compensation for an administrative support professional is between $30,000 to $50,000. One in four managers (23%) and workers (26%) believe this compensation range is between $50,000 to $75,000. Interestingly, those working in administrative roles are significantly more likely than managers to believe these professionals make less than $30,000 annually (16% vs. 9%), while managers are significantly more likely than administrative workers to believe that these professionals make more than $75,000 annually (10% vs. 5%).
Majority (55%) managers indicate that their annual budget allotment for administrative support professionals has remained the same compared to past years, while slightly more indicate that they'll have more (26%) budget allotment this year compared to less (19%) budget allotment compared to years past.
These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between September 19th to 24th, 2013 on behalf of Randstad. For this survey, a sample of 500 Canadians (250 administrative support professionals and 250 business decision makers/managers) from Ipsos' Canadian online panel was interviewed online. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within +/- 7.1 percentage points had all Canadians adults working in administrative or business decision making roles been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.
For more information on this news release, please contact:
Sean Simpson
Vice President
Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
416.572.4474
[email protected]
About Ipsos Reid
Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.
To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.
About Ipsos
Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. In October 2011 Ipsos completed the acquisition of Synovate. The combination forms the world's third largest market research company.
With offices in 85 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across six research specializations: advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, public affairs research, and survey management.
Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.
Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of e1,789 billion (2.300 billion USD) in 2012.
