Title: PA or Secretary
Post by: emero on January 13, 2003, 04:43:23 pm
Ok i need a little bit of advice, I've always been an administrator and now have moved on to do PA work,(i have had many jobs as a PA, for different companies) my boss (he's an operations director) insists on calling me his secretary (he is rather old fashioned)
I have compiled a desk manual(thank you desk demon) to show him exactly what I do and I'm due for an appraisal this month and will also ask for pay rise (i have been with the company a year now)
The girl who left occasionally answered the phone and filed, typed a couple of letters.
I have made the job my own and have taken on a lot of responsibility this year, and another director. 99% of the company know i'm his PA,
Please don't think I'm being unkind to secretaries, we have 2 secretaries , whose jobs are nothing like mine, our MD also has a PA
I just need to convince him, (in a concise manner) what the difference is.
your feedback would be appreciated
I have compiled a desk manual(thank you desk demon) to show him exactly what I do and I'm due for an appraisal this month and will also ask for pay rise (i have been with the company a year now)
The girl who left occasionally answered the phone and filed, typed a couple of letters.
I have made the job my own and have taken on a lot of responsibility this year, and another director. 99% of the company know i'm his PA,
Please don't think I'm being unkind to secretaries, we have 2 secretaries , whose jobs are nothing like mine, our MD also has a PA
I just need to convince him, (in a concise manner) what the difference is.
your feedback would be appreciated
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: countrigal on January 13, 2003, 08:32:43 pm
My thoughts might not prove helpful, but I think that as long as your PD and official job title reflect what you actually do, does it really matter what he calls you himself?? If bossie is old-fashioned, you might not have much luck changing his habits, one of which is referring to you as his secretary. Does it hurt you any?? As long as your pay and official title reflect your true job, then it shouldn't matter, unless there are other problems involved. You say that others already know that you're his PA so...
But then, I might be off base. Maybe what you're looking at doing is getting Bossie to approve your title change and pay difference. If so, then simply looking at the PD that your predecesor had and what you are currently doing (written up into a PD) would be helpful, as well as maybe samples from other PA's in your company. Then highlight the additional duties that you perform and how these correspond to similar duties performed by these other employees under the title PA.
I'm sure others will speak up soon, so never fear -- you'll get more advice than mine.
CountriGal
Peer Moderator
But then, I might be off base. Maybe what you're looking at doing is getting Bossie to approve your title change and pay difference. If so, then simply looking at the PD that your predecesor had and what you are currently doing (written up into a PD) would be helpful, as well as maybe samples from other PA's in your company. Then highlight the additional duties that you perform and how these correspond to similar duties performed by these other employees under the title PA.
I'm sure others will speak up soon, so never fear -- you'll get more advice than mine.
CountriGal
Peer Moderator
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: Jackie G on January 14, 2003, 12:18:48 am
I agree with CG on the name thing. I have clients who say I'm their 'secretary' but I describe myself as their PA - it doesn't matter cos I know what I do and they know I do what I do and we're all happy!
keep us posted.
Jackie
www.iqps.org
Peer Moderator
keep us posted.
Jackie
www.iqps.org
Peer Moderator
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: beaintheuk on January 14, 2003, 11:24:00 am
My official title is secretary, however soon to be changed to PA - I am going to remind him at my appraisal but this had been discussed in the past.
Some colleagues call me PA, some secretary. I am actually not sure what my boss calls me as he always say my first name.
I would let the boss call you his secretary if he wishes.
Bea
Some colleagues call me PA, some secretary. I am actually not sure what my boss calls me as he always say my first name.
I would let the boss call you his secretary if he wishes.
Bea
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: bethalize on January 14, 2003, 01:16:41 pm
I would much rather be a PA than a secretary. We might know that it's only a title here, but the use of "PA" confers a lot more respect on someone than "secretary" in my experience. Maybe because people have a perception of a secretary as being a more passive role. I wouldn't quit a great job over it though 
Bethalize
Peer Moderator
Bethalize
Peer Moderator
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: akara on January 14, 2003, 02:20:46 pm
I think too much emphasis can be placed on titles. My boss refers to me as his secretary, too; I am not only his PA, but Office Manager, IT Manager, Customer Services Manager and numerous other roles. I know what I do, and I know he couldn't run the office without me!
As long as your boss understands the value of the work you do and gives you the remuneration you deserve, what does it matter what he calls you? Old fashioned (male) Bossies do not understand the difference between a secretary and a PA and are are usually too set in their ways to change. I've worked for plenty of them in my time. Try not to let it get to you; be content in the personal knowledge that your role is a valuable one.
Akara
As long as your boss understands the value of the work you do and gives you the remuneration you deserve, what does it matter what he calls you? Old fashioned (male) Bossies do not understand the difference between a secretary and a PA and are are usually too set in their ways to change. I've worked for plenty of them in my time. Try not to let it get to you; be content in the personal knowledge that your role is a valuable one.
Akara
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: emero on January 14, 2003, 02:55:33 pm
Thanks everyone for all the replies.
I multi task like a lot of us do, PA work is my main full time job, i've also been a complementary therapist for 13 years too. (my god is it that long)
I needed to be clear in my own mind, I feel better now I know I'm not the only confused soul out there :)
The respect & recognition thing is important as my boss doesn't trust his "secretaries" much, as he used to do most of the work himself as the standard of work was shoddy.(not mine)
Patience is the key here, i feel
I have worked hard to get respect in my company, and I'm very proud of what I do
I multi task like a lot of us do, PA work is my main full time job, i've also been a complementary therapist for 13 years too. (my god is it that long)
I needed to be clear in my own mind, I feel better now I know I'm not the only confused soul out there :)
The respect & recognition thing is important as my boss doesn't trust his "secretaries" much, as he used to do most of the work himself as the standard of work was shoddy.(not mine)
Patience is the key here, i feel
I have worked hard to get respect in my company, and I'm very proud of what I do
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: nickless on January 14, 2003, 04:50:28 pm
I think the others have basically said it all. Just one thing: you're lucky when your boss refers to you as his secretary. My boss is very old fashioned, and he keeps calling me "his girl". I won't be able to ever change this, and there's no point since he will retire in June.
What matters is what you do, not what title you have to do the same job.
Annegret
Preston,UK
What matters is what you do, not what title you have to do the same job.
Annegret
Preston,UK
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: carolineg on January 14, 2003, 05:51:41 pm
I would suspect that a lot of us have a similar issue, I know I do. However, given our multi-tasking abilities, all the company / industry info that we have and all the little extras that we do I think something along the lines of "She Who Knows Where Everything Is" or "Office Goddess" would be far more appropriate.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: peana on January 14, 2003, 06:08:49 pm
I love Office Goddess!!! Just about sums up everything we're expected to do (including those little miracles that get taken for granted).
I once saw a speaker who went through a list of all the roles she'd had to satisfy in her career as a secretary and then PA. One that made me laugh was 'Mum - to "hold their hand", bandage cuts, administer sympathy, ...'. When you really think about everything we end up doing titles do tend to become irrelevant, as long as you receive the respect you're due.
I once saw a speaker who went through a list of all the roles she'd had to satisfy in her career as a secretary and then PA. One that made me laugh was 'Mum - to "hold their hand", bandage cuts, administer sympathy, ...'. When you really think about everything we end up doing titles do tend to become irrelevant, as long as you receive the respect you're due.
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: dwreath on January 14, 2003, 06:14:32 pm
I vote we all change to Office Goddess!!
All those in favor.....
D.
All those in favor.....
D.
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: jahdra on January 14, 2003, 06:23:42 pm
Aye to Office Goddess!
We had a director whose title was "Goddess of Career Development." I've always wondered how she pulled that off, considering this is a Big 4 accounting firm. And what pay grade would a be goddess in, anyway? Heh. The next time they ask us what we would like our "new" titles to be, I'm voting for Office Goddess. Beats the heck out of Service Coordinator!
We had a director whose title was "Goddess of Career Development." I've always wondered how she pulled that off, considering this is a Big 4 accounting firm. And what pay grade would a be goddess in, anyway? Heh. The next time they ask us what we would like our "new" titles to be, I'm voting for Office Goddess. Beats the heck out of Service Coordinator!
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: mathwhizchick on January 14, 2003, 07:16:15 pm
I personally like "She Who Must Be Obeyed". My MIL has that one. When my FIL jokes about it, she gets a steely glint in her eye and he clams up IMMEDIATELY.
:)
:)
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: execsec on January 14, 2003, 09:36:47 pm
Okay, I'll bite. I'm from the United States. Please explain what the difference is between a "PA" and a "secretary." I've been on this site for several years and still don't recall seeing anything that spells out the difference. Is a PA like an Executive Assistant?
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: nickless on January 15, 2003, 09:18:24 am
"Agony Aunt" represents a great amount of my daily work, but I suppose it wouldn't look as impressive on my business card as "office goddess".
Annegret
Preston,UK
Annegret
Preston,UK
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: akara on January 15, 2003, 10:08:02 am
execsec,
As I understand it, Executive Assistant is the US equivalent of a PA (Personal Assistant). PAs are expected to do much more than just the typing - because PAs tend to work for very busy directors, we are normally expected to organise the boss's life for them.
But as has been pointed out already in this post, since PA is a fairly modern term, many 'older' bosses really don't uderstand the difference.
Akara
As I understand it, Executive Assistant is the US equivalent of a PA (Personal Assistant). PAs are expected to do much more than just the typing - because PAs tend to work for very busy directors, we are normally expected to organise the boss's life for them.
But as has been pointed out already in this post, since PA is a fairly modern term, many 'older' bosses really don't uderstand the difference.
Akara
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: beaintheuk on January 15, 2003, 10:52:02 am
Oh dear, nickless! ''His girl'!!! As you're in the North too, imagine if they started calling us 'Luv'!!! 
Bet you can't wait for his retirement!
Bea
Bet you can't wait for his retirement!
Bea
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: JessW on January 15, 2003, 01:46:40 pm
Even 'luv' would be better than not being called at all - I frequently am the only member of my in-house legal team at work and so on one memorable ocassion when a new employee was being shown around and the rest of the office had forgotten I existed I introduced myself as a) I am Legal Services (although I do everything for them I am only qualified as a paralegal), and b) I am god!
Highly blasphemous (but I am sure She would not mind too much - that is a reference to the film Dogma), cuts out the middle man, with the added advantage that the newer members of staff now remember me all too well!
Highly blasphemous (but I am sure She would not mind too much - that is a reference to the film Dogma), cuts out the middle man, with the added advantage that the newer members of staff now remember me all too well!
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: Jackie G on January 15, 2003, 02:46:17 pm
While I think Office Goddess is great, I'm not sure I'd want it on a business card - there might be all sorts of connotations taken there!
As for names, I have a client (he's 70 if he's a day!) who calls me his girl. He phones up and says 'how's the girl today?' - I hate it. He never listens to anything. Regulars will know I've not been well recently (still coughing!) and he thinks I should just be drinking the right whisky to make me better, and doesn't understand that it's actually worse than that and the doctor has prescribed medicine! But, apart from that, and him trying to pat my bum occasionally and asking me out on a date ( I kid you not!!!) he's ok - he pays after each job and as it's overwriting the previous year's stuff (he's an accountant) it's easy money for me!
Jackie
www.iqps.org
Peer Moderator
As for names, I have a client (he's 70 if he's a day!) who calls me his girl. He phones up and says 'how's the girl today?' - I hate it. He never listens to anything. Regulars will know I've not been well recently (still coughing!) and he thinks I should just be drinking the right whisky to make me better, and doesn't understand that it's actually worse than that and the doctor has prescribed medicine! But, apart from that, and him trying to pat my bum occasionally and asking me out on a date ( I kid you not!!!) he's ok - he pays after each job and as it's overwriting the previous year's stuff (he's an accountant) it's easy money for me!
Jackie
www.iqps.org
Peer Moderator
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: chevygirl55 on January 15, 2003, 03:54:01 pm
Personally, I think Your Majesty is a nice title!
chevygirl55
chevygirl55
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: nickless on January 16, 2003, 11:44:49 am
Bea, bossie's not too bad really. I just have to take him the way he is. And yes, I'm working in the North. How did you guess ;-) I would get worried if he started calling me "luv" - bad enough that some customers do that. After 6 years here in the Northwest, I still have not got used to it.
Basically I have a lot of freedom in the company, and can do what I want (within reason) as long as I get my job done quickly, efficiently and correctly.
By the way, we currently have a p/t vacancy for a secretary/PA. Anyone fancy working in a really brilliant atmosphere with brilliant bossies?
Annegret
Preston,UK
Basically I have a lot of freedom in the company, and can do what I want (within reason) as long as I get my job done quickly, efficiently and correctly.
By the way, we currently have a p/t vacancy for a secretary/PA. Anyone fancy working in a really brilliant atmosphere with brilliant bossies?
Annegret
Preston,UK
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: catsmeat on January 16, 2003, 02:21:22 pm
Much as I love the "Office Goddess" term, I really don't think I could get away with that, working for the Anglican Church as I do!
Any suitable, non-religious terms?
Any suitable, non-religious terms?
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: Jackie G on January 16, 2003, 02:27:09 pm
She who must be obeyed is always good~!
Jackie
www.iqps.org
Peer Moderator
Jackie
www.iqps.org
Peer Moderator
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: lioness on January 16, 2003, 06:13:30 pm
I personally like the term Gatekeeper. Be it the pearly gates or the gates of hell, I'm the guardian everyone must pass. Suits me fine!
Lioness, Queen of the Jungle
Lioness, Queen of the Jungle
Title: Re: PA or Secretary
Post by: emero on January 17, 2003, 11:45:48 am
This thread sparked off a lot LOL
I agree, I spend more time sorting out my boss and his private life, golf, dinner bookings, and his wife, even wrapped some prezzies before xmas and ordered champagne(i'm not complaining) it was lovely
I don't type much, (thank god) i prefer my mouse....
however I work like a trojan most of the time smoothing the way for the directors
I like my day job, its interesting,its always different and i get to chat other PA's and we have a laugh.
I tend to organise them, and get them ready for important meetings, I feel great when they come back and they have won the contract
My boss is from Yorkshire and frequently calls me Flower, he is quite old fashioned, only 2 years older than me (he remembers Joe Strummer from the Clash too)
As I work for 2 directors thats when the fun starts, as the other one is go getting up and coming director
It's when both of them are in the office, I have to put my foot down
or hide LOL
Office Goddess would be perfect for me too, though Bossie wouldn't be impressed
I agree, I spend more time sorting out my boss and his private life, golf, dinner bookings, and his wife, even wrapped some prezzies before xmas and ordered champagne(i'm not complaining) it was lovely
I don't type much, (thank god) i prefer my mouse....
however I work like a trojan most of the time smoothing the way for the directors
I like my day job, its interesting,its always different and i get to chat other PA's and we have a laugh.
I tend to organise them, and get them ready for important meetings, I feel great when they come back and they have won the contract
My boss is from Yorkshire and frequently calls me Flower, he is quite old fashioned, only 2 years older than me (he remembers Joe Strummer from the Clash too)
As I work for 2 directors thats when the fun starts, as the other one is go getting up and coming director
It's when both of them are in the office, I have to put my foot down
or hide LOL
Office Goddess would be perfect for me too, though Bossie wouldn't be impressed
Edited by emero on 17/01/03 10:47 AM.