I refer to the "Are we happy bunnies" poll on the website and the question of whether the people who class themselves as professional are the ones who are extremely happy in their job?   Well I class myself as a professional but am not very happy in my job - why?  The firm I work for is a USA law firm (who recently merged with a smaller English firm), support staff who joined after the merger have no benefits, have no job descriptions or appraisals and are generally kept in the dark about matters (existing secretaries get a few benefits but have never had appraisals or job descriptions) concerning the department and/or firm.  Is this a general thing of American Law Firms or have I just been unlucky?  When I mentioned to my boss about it being Professional Secretaries Week he just laughed and said "Why do Secretaries need their own week?".   This is the first firm I've worked in where I have felt extremely undervalued and I know other secretaries feel the same.  We are not able to put ideas or anything forward because the attitude is very much "Well what do you know, you're only a secretary".

I consider myself a professional but unfortunately I am perhaps 1 in a million who is unhappy in my job.

And before I hear you all cry .... well why don't you leave then?  I am, in 2 weeks I'm taking a year out to go travelling!

Yes I'm paid well for what I do but don't believe that there should be a grading system - I currently work in a solicitors office where because I work for a partner I am on more money than the secretary next to me who works for a solicitor, even though generally I manage to get out of the office on time whilst most nights she's here til late (is that my good time management or is she busier than me?!).

You should be awarded for your hard work and not whether you have a tag of "Partner's Secretary".   I'd prefer to be on a lower wage but receive more benefits (I don't receive any at the moment, hence I'm leaving at the end of April!) including a bonus scheme attached to appraisals etc.

Here in London a PA from a rather large Bank has just been prosecuted for fraud after skimming over £4 million from her bosses.   Not only has this now given all PA's/EA's bad coverage in the press what must her predecessor be thinking; she's probably being watched like a hawk.  What about her colleagues and the effect it would have on them? How could she think it was ok to skim money, let alone this amount, to feed her wanting of fast cars, fancy clothes and posh houses.  We'd all like that but in my position where I am trusted by my boss, my colleagues and the firm I would never ever betray that trust.  I dislike dishonest and selfish people whether in the workplace or out of it.  Yes it is a dog eat dog world but dishonesty shouldn't come into it - fight fairly or don't fight at all.

The best boss I had was when I worked in a firm of solicitors in Leeds - not only was he fair, talked me through things and gave me so much confidence in dealing with files and people, he always made me laugh (I'm not the best person first thing in the morning).  He trusted me impeccably and never ever raised his voice to me and would calmly explain any situation.  He constantly made me laugh and when he was busy; he would stick a pencil in each ear so if I looked through his office window and saw that I knew he didn't want any calls or to be disturbed, it was so much better than having a "Do Not Disturb" sign on his door.  I only left there following the death of my mother and I really do miss him but I keep in constant touch and he still makes me laugh.  He was generous with salary and bonuses but to be honest I was happy going to work everyday knowing that I wasn't one of those secretaries who tries to avoid their boss all the time.