READER PANEL
Each issue our 2013 Reader Panel and facebook friends discuss a hot topic affecting PAs – what do you think?
Discussion:Do you socialise with your work colleagues?
Debbie McGibbon, 2012 Newcomer of the Year, Instant
“Absolutely! Socialising with work colleagues is an important part of office life as it fuels team bonding, ensures better collaboration across the business and forges better working relationships. At Instant, our quarterly socials are infamous and encouraged; an elected Minister of Fun is responsible for organising the whole company get-together. Over the years, we have done Strictly Come Dancing, Bowls and a Summer Sports Day in Hyde Park. It is an important part of getting to know your colleagues but I do think getting the balance right is also important.” Twitter: @debbiemcgibbon
Judy Willet, 2012 PA of the Year, Carpetright
“It is definitely a good thing to socialise with work colleagues as it encourages a team spirit and helps everyone to see a different side of each others’ character. I usually hold an early evening ‘soiree’ once a year at my house for a few of my close working colleagues. My home is fairly close to the office so we congregate there straight from work for cocktails and a light pasta meal. We have a laugh together and enjoy each others’ company. It gives us all the opportunity to relax for a couple of hours without the constraints of the working environment.”
...and from our Facebook page
Andrea Lawrie: Yes I do! I think it's a great idea. You build better trusting relationships. I'm all for it!
Erin Gentry:
I do on a limited basis, too much social sharing could turn out badly.
Janice Mitchell:
I have done in the past with varied results. I think it’s best to be cautious.
Victoria Darragh, Executive Assistant, Hays
“Most of the companies that I have worked for have had some form of social programme in place for employees to enjoy, it helps with team building and boosting morale and by and large it always seems to have worked. I have many close friends who were once colleagues, but in recent years I have become more conscious of the need to balance precious time spent with family and friends and my very busy professional and personal life, so I have spent slightly less time socialising with work colleagues – but I always enjoy it when I get the chance.” Twitter: @victoriadarragh
Josephine Green, Freelance celebrity PA
“Being self-employed, I don’t have many work colleagues as such. It can be quite isolated, so I make a point of networking as much as possible. I really believe in it and am proactive in setting up networks/events etc. However, networking is different to socialising. For me, going out with work people in groups is networking (and I would remain professional), but going out with one or two people is socialising as friends. Some of my best friends were actually once colleagues, but in each case we really only became close friends when one (or both) of us left the place of work where we met!” Twitter: @PAAccessAllArea
Danielle Marshall: Yes and each time it made working relationships better, especially those who were bullies – such a transformation.
Sarah Cullens:
So important to nurture those work relationships given that we spend so much of our time at work!
Join in the discussion at
www.facebook.com/ executivepa
50 JULY/AUGUST 2013 |
WWW.EXECUTIVEPA.COM
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