Why the EA role is changing for the better

In the recent economic downturn, many companies were forced to make employment cuts to save money. It would appear that no matter how deep these cuts go, however, executives are unwilling to let go of their valued assistants. With organisations continuing to shed staff, the role of the PA has proven to be one of the most stable positions to be in, despite being on the receiving end of some rather odd requests from their bosses.

According to a column in Business Review Weekly, the history of the role of the PA shows just how much it has changed and a survey of assistants conducted by the organisers of the Australian counterpart to the Office show reveals that assistants believe there are key differences in their remit compared to their predecessors from the 1940s.

In spite of receiving some strange assignments from their bosses, such as having to buy them a pair of Speedos, or choose a birthday card for their wife, executive assistants down under generally feel that they are “highly valued” within their companies and are happy to go the extra mile when required.

To read the original article by Leo D’Angelo Fisher, visit tinyurl.com/o5mollv.