An empirical study of the applicability of the ghetto thesis to secretarial work in Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

[Abstract]: In recent years, innovations in office technology combined with organisational restructuring have demonstrated the potential to alter traditional perceptions of secretarial work as a 'female ghetto' occupation. This paper reports the findings of a study of secretarial work in Australia and New Zealand. The study investigated secretarial work from both labour market and organisational perspectives in order to assess the current status of this type of work. the findings indicate that secretarial work has progressed out of its traditional 'ghetto' status in respect to autonomy, pay and working conditions. However, in respect to promotional opportunities and stereotyped gender attributes, the 'ghettoised' nature of the occupation is still evident.