Western Cape Call Centre Agents are tops in this year's office worker pay increases

Kelly's annual Salary Survey aggregates information on actual starting salaries agreed between employers and candidates for full-time employment, covering the 12 months ended 30 June 2004. Percentage calculations are based on the June 2004 average CPI/inflation rate of 4.45%. The survey looks at the pay (excluding perks and bonuses) of Accounts Clerks, Bookkeepers, Receptionists, Secretaries, Executive Secretaries, Office Administrators and Call Centre Agents.

Call Centre Agents were the top performers at 7.39% while Secretaries got the lowest increase in average starting salaries at 5.52% - though still more than 1% higher than inflation for the same period.

Says Kelly MD, Tracey Czakan: "On the whole, Office Workers in the Western Cape have bucked the national trend and outstripped the average inflation with increases well over the 5% mark. Top of the list is Call Centre Agents with 7.39%, a clear indication that this continues to be a growing job market in the region."

"Secretaries and Executive Secretaries too have seen reward for their vital role in the workplace with 5.52% and 6.84% taking their average starting salaries to R5 723 and R8 046 respectively. During this last year, Kelly has noted these job categories topping the talent trend. In the wake of fears of the late 1990s that these job categories could become obsolete and replaced by ever-advancing technology, Secretaries across the country redefined their roles in the workplace beyond the traditional job description. Today, Secretaries are more important than ever! They have shown that to get ahead in the pay stakes, you have to top the talent stakes!"

Bookkeepers and Accounts Clerks in the region also have something to smile about. With their 6.46% and 5.85%, they have seen a much needed adjustment in their average starting salaries to R6 728 and R5 610 respectively. Topping this year's national pay raise stakes, were Receptionists. Western Cape Receptionists were no exception. At the bottom quartile, top talented Receptionists can now expect to enter the job market at R3 248 while at the very top end they can expect to earn up to R6 902 per month. Their inflation-topping average increase in starting salaries of 6.40% means they can expect to earn around R4 649 per month depending on the type of business and extent of their duties.

Czakan comments: "This clearly shows that businesses are beginning to place significant emphasis on its front-line and the role they play in providing a positive, professional portrayal of the business that's so critical to retaining and winning new customers!"

Across most job categories and regions, South African Office Workers performed well with inflation-beating average increases.

In conclusion Czakan says that for South African Office Workers must continue to drive productivity, to upgrade their skills and to embrace an attitude of willingness and commitment.

"Embrace life-long learning; continually upgrade your skills. But, more than that make sure you have a winning attitude. Aptitude can be learned as long as you have the right attitude!"