Support staff are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with their lot, according to research from the latest SecsLife survey from commercial recruiter Gordon Yates and Guardian Jobs.

The research shows that 53% of permanent employees surveyed claim that they have become less satisfied with their job over the past 12 months, primarily due to issues around job security, while  42% say that they are looking for a new job and 66% learned new skills last year.

The report also shows that a third of employers cut support staff numbers in 2009, but only 9% plan cuts in 2010, while 72% say the will maintain current staff numbers.

Richard Grace, joint managing director of Gordon Yates, says: “As companies become leaner, they are looking to their support staff to pick up a greater range of work. PAs and secretaries have been expected to multi-task for many years, but our report shows that their work is expanding into new areas way outside their traditional role.”