Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Bosses ask the strangest things

PAs reveal their top weird requests

“I had to make tea to match a particular colour from a dulux colour chart.” So says the creator of PAs, a new BBC comedy drama which will focus on the lives of personal assistants within the investment banking sector.

While this may seem extreme, research undertaken on behalf of Crone Corkill, the office support recruiter, has found that some PAs are asked to undertake tasks which could be considered well beyond the call of duty. Their top favourites were:

•Buying clothing for my boss’ girlfriend
•Making coffee but only being allowed to serve it at ‘drinking’ temperature
•Picking my boss’ children up from school
•Helping with my boss’ children homework
•Being asked only to wear black as its more professional
•Posing as my gay boss’ wife at a client function
•Replacing my boss’ daughters hamster which died when she was on holiday
•Being asked to place an advert for my replacement when I didn’t know I was leaving!

“While hopefully these sorts of tasks aren't commonplace, they do demonstrate that some PAs have become critical to the lives of their bosses,” says Tracy Durrant, MD of Crone Corkill. “Since Crone Corkill opened its doors in 1977, the role of the PA has changed beyond all recognition. While historically it is true to say that they may have once acted as gatekeepers and unofficial concierges, today the role is much more strategic and responsibilities can cover a multitude of different areas - from office management to marketing - from HR to PR. And despite the gloomy economic predictions, we are still seeing a real war for talent - those employers who recognise the true worth of their PAs will be the ones who ultimately win that war.”