[Misc] Old man's question (apology in advance) whats the difference between an EA and a PA?

[Bry Nylon]

The ones who try to play the billy big bollox because of their supposed status are just shot down..

Good. Can't stand ****ers who do that.

Regards
Bry Nylon
Moderator

 

[dsr-burnley]

"Executive", in theory, means that that person makes decisions. An EA can make decisions for the boss, a PA has to ask the boss what the decision is and put it into effect. In practice, don't rely on that.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

In my experience EAs tend to get a bit narked when you introduce them as a PA and really hate it when you call them a secretary.

That’s nothing, try calling them love or dear.

 

[Bry Nylon]

That’s nothing, try calling them love or dear.

"Two sugars and a biscuit if you've got one, Treacle."

...rarely goes down well.

 

[Brian Potter]

Would that be 'Personnel'?

We have a "Chief People Officer" at exec level.

 

[Surf's Up]

Whats the difference between an EA and a PA?

Probably about £10k per annum.

 

[Hampster Gull]

Would that be 'Personnel'?

No, HR = Human Remains

 

[AmexRuislip]

Am talking to a CEO re a work issue, and have been told to contact his EA, who I knew formally as his PA.

When did this all change?

I'm very happy with my PA, she's superb, if I make her an EA will it turn her head?

Reminded me of this

 

[CheeseRolls]

The P.A is there to organise the Executive (manage their diary and meetings etc) the EA is there to make the Executive look good (take care of lower level business tasks for the Exec, read and summarise papers, draft responses and presentations). In the Police the Chiefs have a P.A. and a Staff Officer, which I am sure will help the old farts on NSC to picture a woman in heels and a bloke in a uniform. this does not have to be the case. Of course in this part of the world the top cop is also more likely to be a woman than a man imagine that!

 

[BNthree]

At my work EAs work for small pools of executives. So they’re not personal assistants as they assist several people.

 

[Nitram]

When I was working, you could always tell a person by the way they referred to people, always suspicious of people using the term ‘my’ ...... staff, PA etc. Seems that it has been taken to a new level by EA.

 

[giveusfalmerplease]

Would that be 'Personnel'?

actually in many organisations now they refrain even from a word containing person/human in case some dumbnut chooses not to align themselves with any particular gender or breed. Im just waiting for the new job application forms where it asks what animal you associate yourself with as well as gender. I would select 'other' and put Gerbil

They also don't distinguish permanents from temps or contractors. We are all now 'colleagues'. Not keen on the word but appreciate the concept. I do feel refering to people i work with in the third person as "the contractors" sounds derogatory - They work just as hard as i do and so should be seen as the same as us permies.

 

[portlock seagull]

I think one sleeps with the boss in hotels. The other shags them in the office. Is that it?