A receptionist position at a law firm requires the ability to write a grammatical email; check vendor invoices for errors (deliveries which show up at the “front door” vs. computer equipment and things that arrive via purchase order); know basic life skills like don’t call a partner in Europe at 9 am Eastern time at home-- since you will likely wake her up, etc.
Time was when being a high school graduate meant you knew this kind of stuff. And if you’ve ever had a receptionist without these basic skills, life is horrific for everyone who has to deal with him/her. Hiring a college graduate is no guarantee, but you’ve increased the odds that someone knows the difference between hour vs. our; its vs. it’s; etc. With email and spellcheck, even clerks and receptionists need to be able to write a grammatical message.