Alice Bumgarner

Record retention software programs: Any available?

• June 06, 2008

Question: “Has anyone used software programs to create a record retention program?  Specifically, has anyone used the Skupsky method?” — Anonymous

Vacation and sick accruals: What’s your payout?

• May 14, 2008

Question: “I am interested in knowing how other firms handle vacation and sick accruals, and if accrued sick leave hours are paid out at...

Administrative Assistant Handbook: What should be included?

• May 14, 2008

Question: “We are trying to put together a handbook for our administrative assistant staff. From your experience, what should we include in it?”...

Testing the staff on the company’s mission statement: Is there a fun way to do it?

• May 02, 2008

Question: “I am in charge of rewarding up to 150 employees at our Appreciation Day BBQ. To receive an award, employees must know the organization’s Core...

Is it legal to suggest that someone take time off?

• April 18, 2008

Question: “Is there a tactful—and most importantly—legal way to suggest that someone take time off when she is not able to properly perform her...

Restroom etiquette? Whatever happened to “clean up after yourself”?

• April 18, 2008

Question: “I am an admin for a major corporation (group of 100 people, 75 % women). In addition, I am the facilities coordinator for two floors.  My problem...

Administrative Professionals Week: Will the boss remember?

• April 17, 2008

Question: "My boss never remembers that it's Administrative Professionals Week. Is it rude to send him an e-mail reminder? How do other admins make sure their bosses...

Is there a secret to handling telemarketing calls?

• April 11, 2008

Question: “What’s your favorite technique for handling telemarketing calls? We get several every day and it’s very frustrating. It’s bad...

Overworked and underpaid: How do I ask to be fairly compensated?

• April 11, 2008

Question: “I am the administrative assistant to the vice president.  I have been with the company four years and recently had a wonderful annual...

Who should provide refreshments for monthly staff meetings?

• April 04, 2008

Question: “I work for a nonprofit organization where only a few staff members occasionally bring in a treat for the monthly staff meeting. We all bring our own...

Does your company have a funeral leave policy?

• March 21, 2008

Question: “I work for a major company in my industry and, of course, benefits have changed over the past few years. Our funeral leave policy grants three...

The staff treats admins like doormats: How do we get respect?

• February 28, 2008

Question: “How can I handle other staff who treat administrative assistants as the low people on the totem pole? Where I work, admins get little or no respect...

How do I get my opinions to count when the boss asks but never listens?

• February 28, 2008

Question: “The executive I support always asks for my opinions regarding changes to office setup, administrative support staff duties, logistics for meetings,...

Office birthday luncheons: Do I have to attend?

• February 21, 2008

Question: “Our department acknowledges birthdays by taking the birthday person out to lunch. The person gets to choose where to eat and the entire department...

Ever heard of television etiquette in the workplace?

• February 21, 2008

Question: “Our company recently installed a television in the break room. My boss asked me to find something online about television etiquette. I...

How do I ask my boss to stop announcing my doctor’s appointments?

• February 08, 2008

Question: “How can I tactfully and respectfully ask my boss to stop announcing my doctor’s appointments to other employees? I cover for other areas,...

Do you need to silence an office buttinski?

• January 25, 2008

Question: “I supervise our receptionist/secretary and share an office with her. When the director or other staff members come into the office to speak to me...

My new job is overwhelming: How do I handle it?

• January 18, 2008

Question: “I was offered a promotion seven months ago to a newly created position with new responsibilities and a salary increase. Originally, five people did...

Are you at-risk if you hand out over-the-counter drugs to employees?

• January 04, 2008

Question: “Is it OK to keep medicine on-hand to give employees as needed (e.g.,Advil, Tylenol, Excedrin, Motrin)? I keep these meds on my desk (as do a lot of...

My co-worker is lazy, noisy and a pain: How do I tune her out?

• December 20, 2007

Question: “I am an administrative assistant with a busy schedule working for a senior director.  My problem is our receptionist, who works right outside my...