Sad News Again

I just read a story about a local mayor who was fined by members of the city council for verbally abusing his assistant. I continually am amazed at the level to which human beings berate each other. Where is our compassion for each other. A good administrative and/or personal assistant is rare -- not to be abused, but celebrated and rewarded for the outstanding work they do. Assistants help keep the boss focused on the big picture by keeping the boss organized and on task. Assistants should be treated with respect and not like second class citizens. This mayor ought to know that. I feel so sorry that the assistant felt she had no other recourse. I am sorry she was made to feel less than worthy. I am sorry to see the local newspaper devoted space to the issue and I am sorry that many of the readers are just as inconsiderate as the mayor. This assistant is hurting. There are many assistants like her around the country. Sad, wounded, degraded and harassed. We should rally around her and her colleagues. All of us -- no matter what our positions -- are valuable members of our organizations. Management should recognize this fact.