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Now in its 3rd year, our Today’s PA annual survey offers an insight into how the PA role is viewed across all industries and throughout the public, private, and charity sectors. As usual, our respondents came from around the world, with experience ranging from 1 year to over 40 years in a PA-type role. The size of the organisations represented covered everything from small businesses with less than five staff members through to multinational organisations with around 150,000 employees.
In previous years, we’ve looked at the image of the PA, bullying in the workplace, and what makes a good (or bad) boss. This time, we decided to focus on a number of key points such as the challenges of the role, the main motivating factors, and the impact technology has had on the way we work.
But for our first questions of the 2018 survey, we wanted to get a snapshot of how the role has developed to meet the demands of today’s businesses.
As trainers, we encourage PAs to take an active interest in the work of their company, and to understand its place in the market. Having a more detailed picture of this helps PAs to feel confident when putting forward ideas or opinions, and to become involved in the strategy of the organization.
There is evidence that this is happening! Many PAs – over half (54%) of those who responded – feel that they play a strategic role in their business. This is encouraging news, and shows that PAs are beginning to be seen, and to see themselves as more of a ‘business assistant’ – and they’re not afraid to make their voice heard!
Unfortunately, the number of PAs answering a definite “no”, or a “not sure” to this question reveals that there is still more to be done. Several respondents said that they did not have the technical/professional knowledge – or the time – to become more involved, but that by working at board- or CEO level, they felt that had an indirect effect on business strategy. Others said that they believed their work was valued even if they were unable (for whatever reason) to contribute to the strategic decision making within the organization.
A further question asked whether PAs were now taking on wider responsibilities in the company, maybe working in collaboration with other departments as opposed to working solely for their manager/s or team. While around 40% said that they rarely or never worked for anyone else, more than half said they regularly undertook projects across the organization as a whole, or even externally. Further encouraging news, as this reflects the way the role is evolving, and how PAs are now being seen as key team players and a valued resource within the company.
When asked how often managers acted on PAs’ recommendations in making business decisions, the figure was rather disappointing. Approximately 35% said that their boss rarely or never took their recommendations! This is an interesting statistic, given the large number who feel that they play a strategic role in the business. But from the comments made, it is clear that there are several reasons for this, such as being new to the job/boss/organization, not feeling confident enough to share their views, or not having the technical expertise to be able to do so. Despite this, many said they were happy to give recommendations on admin issues or working practices, or if specifically asked for their opinion.
The better news is that recommendations from PAs were generally listened to and given equal consideration with other ideas from elsewhere in the team/department. One or two PAs said that their idea had been taken on board, and that they’d been given the task of implementing the suggestion!
It’s clear that role of the PA is changing rapidly. Whilst this is only a very small sample of PAs and office professionals, it does provide a glimpse of what is happening in today’s working environment.
Our respondents’ comments and answers show that PAs are now taking on a much wider range of responsibilities, becoming involved with business strategy and the future direction of the organization. Employers are beginning to recognize that PAs are an untapped resource with a wealth of knowledge and experience, and a valuable contribution to make to the business.
A couple of years ago, our survey revealed that PAs felt they were still viewed as “glorified secretaries” or just “tea and typing”. Looking at this year’s results, that view is certainly changing for the better.
PAul Pennant,
MD and Principal Trainer
Today’s PA
