Still in the Ghetto? Experiences of Secretarial Work in the 21st Century

an article by Catherine Truss (University of Kent, Kent Business School, Chatham Maritime, UK) and Kerstin Alfes, Amanda Shantz and Amanda Rosewarne (affiliation(s) not provided) published in Gender, Work & Organization Volume 20 Issue 4 (July 2013)

Abstract

Secretarial work has been described as one of the most persistently gendered of all occupations.

Historically, it has been characterised as a ghetto occupation with three key features:

• low status and poor pay,
• narrow and feminised job content and
• poor promotion prospects.

Twenty years ago, when a major study last took place in the UK, it was thought that new office technologies might transform the role, leading to a newly defined occupation equally appealing to both men and women.

In this article, we report on the findings of a questionnaire survey involving 1,011 secretaries. We found evidence of continuity and change. Secretaries are now better qualified and generally well-paid. A minority is undertaking complex managerial tasks. However, most secretaries continue to perform traditional tasks and career prospects for all remain bleak.

We conclude that processes of role gender-typing are deeply entrenched and that secretarial work remains largely a ghetto occupation.

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