PAs are being entrusted with increased responsibility as well as the handling of commercially sensitive and confidential information due to the recession, claims a new survey.

The survey, from secretarial and PA job board SecsintheCity.com, shows that 28% of PAs are now dealing with more confidential information connected to activities they are being asked to carry out in the recession.

Almost all PAs (88%) refuse to share information that they have been told in confidence by senior personnel and 64% accept it as part of the job and don’t let it affect their morale.

Most PAs (60%) have access to information on workforce planning and over half handle information on redundancies (53%), budget cuts (55%) and employee salaries (59%).

 
Joanna Bennetts, spokesperson for SecsintheCity, says: “We’re finding that as a result of the challenges facing businesses in the current economic climate, our candidates are being asked to assist with a number of HR related activities to support their organisation through this difficult period.  Businesses are recognising the valuable contribution that secretaries and personal assistants can make and are trusting their secretarial and administrative staff with commercially sensitive and confidential information.  It is good to see that PAs are taking this responsibility seriously and remain motivated in times of crisis.”