This week has brought huge news stories for the whole of the UK – torrential rain and widespread flooding, traffic disasters for Glastonbury Festival and record turnout for the EU referendum vote with the ‘leave’ campaign taking the cake. Let’s dial it back to the PA world and take a look at our top 10 stories of the week.
1. 8 ways to do more work in less time
Sometimes it’s true that there aren’t enough hours in the day to complete all the tasks we need to do, especially if you’re trying to achieve a better work-life balance. Writing for The Guardian, Oxford University Saïd Business School’s Mark McCartney outlined eight ways you can do more work in the shortest time.
2. The Hays UK Salary & Recruiting Trends report 2016
The PA and secretarial market has, for the first time since the end of the recession, seen the PA-to-Manager ratio decrease significantly, with large organisations and smaller companies introducing PAs to their business again. The increased demand for PAs has pushed salaries up, some increasing by up to 8%, with an average salary increase for Personal Assistants of 4% in 2015. Steve Heard, Director at Hays PA & Secretarial, comments.
3. 4 types of people to avoid at work
Office politics are never easy to navigate and sometimes it’s hard to tell who you can trust at work. Luckily, business Professor Kimberly A Whitler recently wrote an article for Forbes in which she described the four types of people you need to avoid at the office.
4. Reasons to stay at a job longer
We report a lot on why you should leave a bad job and how to find a new one, but sometimes there are perks to sticking with a role. It comes down to more than just better pay. Here are a few reasons to stay at a job longer.
5. Checking in: Clevedon Hall, Somerset
Here at PA Life, we are always on the look-out for top-class event venues outside the capital, writes Daniel Fountain. And after a recent trip to Clevedon Hall in Somerset, we’re certain we’ve discovered a gem. Less than 15 miles from Bristol city centre, with stunning grounds and sea views, this Victorian mansion conversion is ideal for hosting a corporate event with a difference. The Grade I-listed building is an architectural work of art and its interiors create an event space oozing character and luxury.
6. Home workers happier despite choosing to work more hours
New research has found that home workers are happy despite choosing to work more hours than when they worked in traditional offices, according to customer service provider Sensée.
7. The perfect colleague revealed
Social traits like optimism, empathy and trustworthiness have dominated a list of the top 10 qualities British workers desire the most in colleagues. A survey of 2,009 UK adults by the One4all Rewards Spotlight Awards, which is encouraging workers to nominate colleagues for recognition and rewards, quizzed respondents on the traits they value the most in co-workers to craft a picture of the ‘perfect colleague.’ The data revealed the ideal desk-mate would not only be good at their job, but also a confidante with a sunny disposition.
8. Sunderland hairdresser becomes PA to Kris Jenner
A 27-year-old hairdresser from Sunderland is seeing sunnier skies as the personal assistant to Kardashian matriarch Kris Jenner following a move to Los Angeles.
9. Voting now open for London PA Awards
The shortlists have been revealed and voting has now opened for The London PA Awards. Votes must be in by 6pm on 30 June, so be sure to cast yours now.
10. App of the week: Pages
Welcome to our new weekly spotlight on helpful apps. We’ll focus on a variety of products that are useful for work, personal use, or both, providing our own thoughts on the apps and what you can do with them. This week’s spotlight: Pages.
