From a Data Entry Perspective

I was hired as a data-entry clerk for CLAC over 22 years ago. My tasks and responsibilities have continuously grown throughout the years, yet I have managed to retain what some would consider the “menial” task of entering member data.

When member applications come into our office, they are sent to my desk before being distributed to various teams within the union. The actual union membership applications for BC are filed here.

Why do I hang on to what most folks would consider a boring and monotonous chore? Well, for me, it’s a way to stay connected with our members and to serve them with excellence.

As a detail-oriented individual, I do it really well and in fact, I’ve always enjoyed it. But more than that, I consider it to be important and vital work.

If the information I enter is incorrect, it will affect whether or not a member receives his or her Advantage Program card, important union notices, or other information and offers that may be of interest. Accurate entry also cuts down on the potential for creating duplicate records, which can affect a member’s benefits, RRSP, and pension.

It’s vital that member information is entered accurately and that the information is safeguarded with all the latest precautions for data integrity. We treat these records with utmost respect for our members’ privacy.

I no longer have a lot of direct contact with our membership in the office management and administration side of my work. But after 22+ years of data entry, I’ve become familiar with quite a few members through managing and updating their member records, preparing letters for them when they need it for mortgages or loans and for Canada Revenue, or when they need it to show how many hours they’ve worked through the union.

It’s always a satisfying feeling when I’m able to contribute to a successful member experience while representing CLAC in this way. It gives me a sense of pride in a job well done.

Do you have “menial” tasks in your everyday work? Take a moment to think about how they contribute to the big picture. Those boring and monotonous tasks may actually be a big part of how you find meaning in your work.