Men Get Receptive

Male receptionists are becoming more common in the workplace, according to a new survey commissioned by Reception Management Services Office Concierge.

Five years ago, men were almost completely absent from the reception desks of offices in the West End and the City five years ago Now, men account for more than a fifth of receptionist roles there.

And, according to Simon Cooney of Office Concierge, the role of the receptionist has extended far beyond greeting people and getting people to sign into the visitors book.

“Now they are expected to get involved in roles such as client management, handling top-end visitors, meeting-room bookings and setting up teleconferencing,” he said.

However, some negative perceptions of receptionists remain.

When asked to identify the worst traits in female receptionists, 22 percent of survey respondents said “they seem bored”, 21 percent that “they gossip” and 13 percent that “they spend too much time texting or on social networks.”

The worst traits in male receptionists were “they are rude and grumpy” (cited by 29 percent) and “they get visitor’s/caller’s names wrong” (18%).