Companies responding to my queries ranged from law offices, engineering consulting firms, and healthcare facilities, to Web-based services companies, trucking companies, and educational institutions. Supervisors perform administrative tasks to ensure that their staffs can work efficiently. Equipment and machinery used in their departments must be in good working order. If the computer system goes down or a facsimile machine malfunctions, they must try to correct the problem or alert repair personnel. They also request new equipment or supplies for their department when necessary.
Supervisors also help train new employees in organization and office procedures.
They may teach new employees how to use the telephone system and operate office equipment. Because much clerical work is computerized, they must also teach new employees to use the organization s computer system. When new office equipment or updated computer software is introduced, supervisors retrain experienced employees in using it efficiently. According to Department of Labor statistics, office and administrative support supervisors and managers held more than 1.6 million jobs in 1998. Most companies fill administrative and office support supervisory and managerial positions by promoting clerical or administrative support workers from within their organization.