OfficeTeam Survey Reveals Strangest Requests Administrative Professionals Have Received
In a recent survey, OfficeTeam asked administrative professionals to recount the wackiest requests they've received at work. Here are a few of the most unusual responses:
"Cut off the boss's tie that was caught in the paper shredder."
"Help land a helicopter on top of the building."
"Mail a box of dirt."
"Translate a presentation slide deck from German to English."
"Write a skit about hand-washing."
"Communicate between two executives who were not speaking to each other."
"Send an email to staff explaining how to flush the toilet properly."
"Monitor and track odor complaints in a new building."
"Assemble a power washer."
"Take samples of toilet paper from all the office bathrooms and compare them."
The survey was developed by OfficeTeam and the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It includes responses from more than 2,200 administrative professionals in the United States and Canada.
Although administrative professionals often help with company events, they couldn't have planned for these requests:
"Organize a hula-hoop competition for executive staff."
"Purchase and assemble Christmas trees in seven office locations."
"Find toy stick horses for a Western-themed event."
"Decorate a roasted pig for a department luau."
"Get 150 pairs of logoed earmuffs for a party the next day."
"Rent a nun costume for an event."
Others worked with a bunch of animals -- literally:
"Get a snake out of the women's bathroom."
"Take care of the office's pet snails."
"Remove nesting geese from the front door area."
"Find two-inch plastic monkeys and order 500 of them."
For some assistants, the requests were travel-related:
"Get a visa to India in two hours."
"Call airport security to locate a lost shoe."
"Give driving directions to a cab driver in a different state."
"Call a hotel in London to request soft pillows for the CEO."
"Administrative staff often are tasked with 'saving the day' when unusual situations arise," said Robert Hosking, executive director of OfficeTeam. "They must be resourceful, have strong people skills and remain calm under pressure -- especially when responding to unorthodox requests."
www.officeteam.com
