Problems Encountered By Married Female Secretaries In Parastatals
(A Case Study Of Enugu Urban)
Married female secretaries in parastatals often face a myriad of challenges stemming from the intersection of their marital status and professional roles. These challenges encompass a spectrum of issues, including navigating work-life balance amidst societal expectations, managing household responsibilities alongside demanding work schedules, and addressing potential biases or discrimination based on gender roles and marital status within the workplace. Additionally, they may encounter difficulties in advancing their careers due to perceived prioritization of family obligations over professional development opportunities. Striking a harmonious equilibrium between personal and professional commitments while combating stereotypes and achieving recognition for their competencies presents a complex landscape for married female secretaries in parastatals.
This research work is aimed at determining the problems of married female secretaries in some parastatals in Enugu urban, Enugu State. The problems of married female secretaries envisaged in this research include discrimination in employment, husband’s resentment to work late, acting as official wives to their male bosses, limited chances of advancement. The researcher collected data for this study from questionnaires and personal interviews in (6) selected organizations in Enugu urban.
Based on the information from the questionnaires and interviews, it was discovered hat married female secretaries are not discriminate against in employment, official responsibilities expressly affect the private lives of married female secretaries.
Having made the above findings, the researcher made the following recommendation in employment. That married female secretaries should try to keep their business and private lives completely separate. They should endeavour to put in some over-time cheerfully when necessary and she should keep official secrets by maintaining absolute confidentiality and putting away any confidential papers out of sight.
Title page
Approval page
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Table of contents
Abstract
CHAPTER ONE:
Introduction
Background of the study
Purpose of the study
Research question
Significance of the study
Scope of the study
Limitations
Statement of the problem
CHAPTER TWO:
Literature review
The problems facing married female secretaries
Problems facing the organization by employing married female secretaries
Summary of literature review
CHAPTER THREE:
Methodology
Research design
Selection of population
Development of the research materials
Research procedure
Data collection
CHAPTER FOUR:
Presentation and analysis of data
Findings
CHAPTER FIVE:
Introduction
Discussion of results
Summary of findings
Conclusion
Recommendation
Suggestion for further study
Questionnaires
Bibliography
INTRODUCIION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY:
Every profession faces a number of problems. Some of these problems are inherent in the profession while others arise as a result of the workers attitude. The secretarial profession is not an exception to these problems. This study has been designed to look into the problems encountered by married female secretaries.
According to the National Secretaries Association of United States of America, a secretary is an assistant to executive, possessing mastery of office skills and ability to assume responsibility without direct supervision, who display initiative, exercise judgment and make decision within the scope of her authority. From the above definition, secretaries are indispensable in business organization both small and large organizations.
Unfortunately, the role of a secretary especially in Nigeria is not quite understood by most people. It therefore, follows that most of the problems confronting the secretarial profession are as a result of misconception by people. People don’t seem to understand what secretarial profession entails.
Consequently, the married female secretaries in the profession always faced with numerous problems.
The problems encountered by married female secretaries are numerous and are ranged from their homes, their jobs and from people with whom they work and transact business with. Other hurdles they faced are those bearing labels such as sexual harassment, job stress and office politics. The greatest conflicts which married female secretaries has to live within their day-to-day activities is marrying their official duties with their domestic affairs.
In the same vain, married female secretaries also faced with some positive problems such as expecting them to exhibit a sense of responsibility show a sign of maturity, loyalty and reliability in the performance of their duties.
A secretary is that person in an organization who deals with the correspondences, keeps accounts, keeps records and in addition, arranges appointments for her executives. The nature of secretarial work is such that a certain degree of confidence and rapport must exist between her and her boss and this may lead to a social suspicion in such a relationship and this may trigger matrimonial hassles.
In the same vain, a secretary is required to have administrative ability to keep an office running smoothly, insight to assign priorities and judgment to know when to issue orders in the boss’s name. They conserve the boss’s time by screening telephone calls, visitors and the mail.
Moreso, a secretary is that person who has undergone some training in secretarial courses and has acquired good speed in shorthand and typewriting and knowledge of secretarial duties, office practice and English language. In addition, she should have a full measure of common sense and unfailing memory.
Furthermore, a personal assistant or secretary means any person that works for another in the company no matter what she does have. Secretary could be a typist or it could be a full blown personal assistant or administrative officer. No one can say that they are secretaries without doing certain tasks regardless of whether they have got the qualification or not.
A senior executive in a large Syndey based company defined secretary as an “appendage” of the boss.
The boss secretary relationship is the subject of rumour and gossip and a secretary may either save or destroy their bosses.
Consequently, a word processing assistant portrayed as the extension of her boss loyal trustworthy and devoted. She is expected to have honour and obey, relieving her boss of the routine and the trial, creating the condition for his detachment from the mundane rituals of everyday life. She is the gate keeper, protecting her boss from those who would waste his time and went to know his private business, meditating his relationship with the outside world.
In the same vein, a secretary is a kind of co-partner with the employer. It is the duty of a secretary to save the boss a great deal of detail and as much routine work as you can. Think for him and anticipate his needs, learn his preferences and obey them even if you do not always agree with his ideals. Assume that he is always right.
She should be a person who is on the conservative side of dressing simple and neat. Secretaries are the center of attraction all the time in the office, for both the employer and the callers.
Always be a person who save the management and create the pre-conditions for their bosses advancement. Most of the pressure of the job is in the sense of being close to the center of power, participating in decision making, having confidential knowledge, having power to act on behalf of the boss.
When a person has successfully undergone training as a word processor, or secretary, such a person is then vested with some responsibilities like copying typed word production of official document like letters, news, reports, he or she also cleans and maintains the word processor as well as the general orderliness of the offices.
STATMEENT OF THE PROBLEM:
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of the study include:
1. To identify the reasons why some employers prefer unmarried female secretaries?
2. To find out whether the official duties of the married female secretaries prevent them from paying proper attention to their families.
3. To find out whether the husbands of these secretaries interfere with their wives’ job.
4. To find out whether marriage on the part of the female secretaries plays any part in the secretary/boss relationship.
5. To find out whether unmarried female secretaries have more changes of advancement on the job than the married ones.
6. To find out whether married female secretaries divulge official secrets.
7. Finally, to offer suggestion on how a married female secretaries can successfully combine her official duties with her domestic affairs to avoid conflicts.
RESEARCH QUESITON:
The study shall have a look into the following research questions;
1. Do organizations consider marital status in their employment policy?
2. Do married female secretaries have equal change of recognition with their unmarried female counterparts.
3. Does the secretarial work expressly affect the private lives of married female secretaries?
4. Are female secretaries treated as inferior to their male counterparts?
5. do married female secretaries divulge official secrets.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:
The investigation will no doubt help both married and unmarried female secretaries to tackle their problems successfully.
It will also help to allay the fears of those involving to go into the secretarial profession. This study will also offer more areas that students may wish to make further research of the problems encountered by the married female secretaries.
This study will help to improve the chances of advancement of the female married secretaries.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY:
This study is designed to study some six parastatals in Enugu metropolis.
In order to have a fair representation, the following have been randomly chosen:
1. National Electric Power Authority
2. Nigerian Telecommunication Limited
3. Nigerian Postal Services
4. (NCC) Nigerian Coal Corporation
5. Nigeria Water Corporation
6. Nigerian Railway Corporation
7. Universal Trust Bank.
LIMITATIONS:
The problems of degenerating trend in the successful secretarial career is a very wide scope to cover.
The researcher could not carry out the investigation on all the parastatals in Enugu urban and therefore limited her work to selected parastatals in Enugu urban.
The main problem in carrying out this investigation to all parastatals, organizations in Enugu State is chiefly due to the high cost of transportation.
Another factor worthy of mention was the difficulty encountered in finding married female secretaries who are actually qualified for this study.
Problems Encountered By Married Female Secretaries In Parastatals:
Married female secretaries in parastatals, like many working women, can encounter various challenges and issues in their professional and personal lives. It’s important to note that these challenges can vary depending on the specific workplace, cultural context, and individual circumstances. Here are some common problems they may face:
- Work-Life Balance: Juggling the demands of a demanding job and family life can be challenging. Married female secretaries may find it difficult to balance their professional responsibilities with their domestic duties, including childcare and household chores.
- Discrimination and Gender Bias: Women in the workplace, including secretaries, often face gender bias and discrimination. They may have to deal with stereotypes and biases that can limit their career growth and opportunities.
- Unequal Pay: Gender pay gaps persist in many industries, including the public sector. Married female secretaries may earn less than their male counterparts for performing the same tasks or may not receive equal pay for equal work.
- Limited Career Advancement: Advancing in their careers can be challenging for married female secretaries, especially if they have to take breaks for maternity leave or childcare responsibilities. They may find it difficult to access promotions and leadership roles.
- Sexual Harassment: Women can experience sexual harassment in the workplace, which can create a hostile working environment. This issue can affect married female secretaries as well.
- Lack of Support: Some married female secretaries may struggle with the lack of support from their supervisors or colleagues, especially if they need flexible working arrangements or assistance with family-related matters.
- Stress and Burnout: Managing both work and family responsibilities can lead to high levels of stress and burnout. This can negatively impact their mental and physical health.
- Inadequate Maternity Leave and Childcare: In some countries or organizations, maternity leave policies may be insufficient, and access to affordable childcare may be limited, making it difficult for married female secretaries to balance their roles as working mothers.
- Stereotyping and Expectations: There may be societal expectations about how married women should behave in the workplace, which can be limiting and frustrating. This may include traditional gender roles and expectations.
- Isolation: Some married female secretaries may feel isolated or excluded from workplace activities or social events due to their family commitments.
To address these challenges, it’s crucial for organizations and governments to implement policies and practices that promote gender equality, work-life balance, and a supportive work environment. This can include equal pay initiatives, flexible work arrangements, anti-discrimination policies, and access to affordable childcare. Additionally, raising awareness about gender biases and promoting diversity and inclusion can contribute to a more equitable workplace for married female secretaries and all working women