Increasing workloads force career change - 18 May 1999
Nearly half of the PA’s attending the Times Creme Exhibition felt that their job was more difficult now than it was three years ago. Some 43 per cent believed they would change career within the next three years according to research undertaken at the exhibition by Business Pages - the leading business to business directory.The survey was undertaken to better understand the changing role of the PA - an important and valued user group for Business Pages.
Surprise findings in the report, which took in a sample of 500 women, found that despite advances in information technology such as email and video conferencing, the job was becoming harder as PA’s were asked to turn around bigger workloads in the same, or less time.
The study also pinpoints increased responsibility at work as a key factor in creating more stress within the working environment - with 27 per cent of women saying their home life suffered as a result of work pressures.
These statistics could account for the high proportion of PA’s considering a change of career.
"As a group, secretaries and PA’s are commonly put under a great deal of pressure, with low reward and recognition, many in this group probably feel they could do better elsewhere." says Jack Lamport-Mitchell, a leading psychologist and resident analyst at the Priory Clinic.
"Career progression for a PA often means a complete change, it is not uncommon for PA’s to move into junior management roles - an area where their organisational skills stand them in good stead."
Interestingly, the survey indicated that one of the main obstacles to career progression may be other women.
The survey shows that 39 per cent of women find it an advantage having a male boss - in contrast only 14 per cent of women thought it advantageous to have a female boss.
"These are very interesting figures but it all comes down to female bosses demanding more from employees - this could be particularly true of PA’s , many women at the top have come through the PA route and know exactly what the job entails," says Lamport-Mitchell.
How then does he account for the statistic that 39 per cent of those surveyed were embarrassed to be a secretary?
"This comes down to the stereotypical picture of a PA some see. The wider workforce has to be better educated as to how traditional careers are evolving and this is why a survey like this is so important."
Those that were embarrassed to be a PA were largely young and unskilled, and thought that the media reinforced a negative image of PA’s.
As to the role of the PA in the future? The Creme survey indicated that 80 per cent of PA’s anticipated undertaking training in the next 12 months, 59 per cent of this in IT.
A further 19 percent were planning to embark on personal development or assertiveness training, while another 30 percent planned training in non-traditional areas such as team building, finance and management.
Negotiation, problem solving and presentation skills were cited as the three key skills that would become more important to secretaries in the future.
"Being a PA no longer means the job begins and ends at taking notes and typing up reports. It is much more dynamic position and involves information technology and developing client relations - all vital to a successful business."
From the research it seems as we head towards the next Millennium work practices for PA’s in particular are going to continue to develop. It is only through headline companies, such as Business Pages, conducting studies that we will be able to anticipate changes in the job function, and ensure that we are up to date with the most recent training needs.
Despite the current climate of constant change, one thing remains clear, Business Pages will remain a useful tool to PA’s - however their role develops.
