But now, with their bosses sending and receiving so much e-mail, many secretaries feel cut out of the loop. Mary Guzy, secretary to James Lebenthal, the Wall Street bond trader, has adopted a strategy that many secretaries are using to stay on top of things. With Lebenthal's permission, she reads his e-mail when he is out of the office. Lebenthal, who voices complete trust in his secretary, does not worry that she will betray confidences. But some secretaries grumble that their bosses, preferring privacy, do not let them read their e-mail, leaving them in the dark on important matters that other executives ask them about when their boss is traveling.
Many secretaries complain that e-mail has meant less personal contact.
Several years ago, when her boss sent a memo to the firm's 100 employees, Ms. Guzy would carry a copy to each desk. Now he just sends the memo by e-mail, saving her the 20 minutes it took to distribute it. But she admits to missing the schmoozing while walking from desk to desk. Secretaries also grouse that e-mail means less contact with their bosses. They take less dictation, and on matters like setting up meetings or giving phone messages, they often communicate through e-mail rather than face to face.