Amal's PA

Can I change the topic for a second? I am, as usual, confused and asking for help. On another thread (I forget which one) we were talking about  Amal having a PA. I think it was Katie who said PA was another name for secretary. Now I'm wondering if I'm just behind the times or if it's another across-the-pond difference of definition.
Here in the US a secretary (in business, at least) handles professional correspondence, scheduling, etc. but usually not personal issues or errands. That is the kind of assistant I would think a lawyer like Amal would have.
 A PA (personal assistant) is an employee who may do all that and more - errands, contacts, shopping - whatever, in your personal life - like Angel's job with George. I wouldn't have expected Amal to have a PA before she met George.
Am I just out of touch with today's world (wouldn't be the first time) or is it a difference of definition?

If you ask me, the duties of a secretary and a PA overlap. For decades secretaries have also done personal errands for their bosses, which I think is how the PA came about - it's a recognition that this person is doing more than just answering the phone and typing letters. My last hotel manager would not have been able to function without his PA. I'm not sure if the job title of secretary even exists any more? I think they're all called PAs nowadays.

I think your question is really whether Amal's PA (if s/he even exists) is the kind of personal assistant that you get with celebrities and movie stars as opposed to someone employed in the office. To that I have no answer because I really don't know.

Katiedot wrote:If you ask me, the duties of a secretary and a PA overlap.  For decades secretaries have also done personal errands for their bosses, which I think is how the PA came about - it's a recognition that this person is doing more than just answering the phone and typing letters.  My last hotel manager would not have been able to function without his PA.  I'm not sure if the job title of secretary even exists any more?  I think they're all called PAs nowadays.

I think your question is really whether Amal's PA (if s/he even exists) is the kind of personal assistant that you get with celebrities and movie stars as opposed to someone employed in the office.  To that I have no answer because I really don't know.

The person who used to be a "secretary" is now mostly called an "assistant," due to the fact, like Katiedot said, they not only handle the secretarial responsibilities in the office, but also some of the personal tasks needed outside of the office.  They usually don't have the "personal" title in front of assistant if they have a desk in an office, because they are hoping to be promoted above assistant status.

I guess I'm just behind the times. I worked for several years as an administrative assistant - not a secretary - and was responsible for keeping my bosses prepared and on time professionally. It was rare that they would ask me or their secretary to handle any personal business for them or ask us to work after business hours.
 Seems like things have changed. I suppose, with the job market being what it is, people will do things they consider outside their job description just to keep their job - and employers ask things of their assistants they would not have asked before because they know people will tolerate a lot to keep working.

As a rule an administrative assistant only works for the boss in the office.

A personal assistant would include working for them outside of the office.

I suppose some secretaries do personal errands for their bosses but that's really not their function.

I don't think times have changed here in the US.  There might be a difference in other countries though.  Not sure about that.

Lorna - That's the way I thought it was, but apparently either times have changed or things are different in the rest of the world. It's really not important - I was just curious.