The workplace has been evolving at breakneck speed these past few years, and administrative professionals have been right at the center of it all. Overnight, offices turned remote, and assistants who once thrived on in-person interactions and corridor conversations found themselves juggling virtual tasks, online calendars, and Zoom calls. Now, with more organizations mandating (or at least strongly encouraging) a return to the office (RTO), assistants once again find themselves facing a big transition—this time from the home office back to the corporate campus.
Inspiration for these insights comes from recent trends and research that, while underscoring the benefits of in-person work—such as increased social connectedness—also highlight the very real challenges employees face when asked to drastically rearrange their schedules and finances for office-based work. For administrative professionals, this return to on-site collaboration has unique implications: balancing multiple executives’ schedules, handling new or renewed office responsibilities, managing personal obligations like commutes and childcare, and still finding time to nurture physical and mental well-being.
Sound daunting? It can be, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to take your administrative career to new heights. Let’s explore how.
1. Recognizing the Shifting Workplace Landscape
A recent survey referenced by Fortune revealed that fully remote roles are on the decline, with one in four companies specifically citing “improved connection and culture” as the reason behind bringing people back in person. While strong connections are invaluable in a collaborative environment—especially for administrative and executive assistants—the logistics of transitioning back to a shared workspace can be taxing. Data shows that employees mandated to return on-site may experience heightened stress, potential burnout, and a strain on work-life balance.
Those statistics are eye-opening, but they don’t have to define your return to the office. By identifying the common pain points—commuting, loss of at-home flexibility, added expenses—you can prepare to tackle them head-on. The first step is acknowledging that yes, this shift might be bumpy, but with the right strategies, you can pivot to in-person work in a way that supports both your professional and personal goals.
2. Embracing Your Critical Role as an Assistant
Administrative and executive assistants are the lifeblood of any thriving office. You’re not just managing calendars; you’re orchestrating the flow of information, enabling leaders to do their best work, and often serving as the first point of contact for many employees and clients. In a hybrid or fully in-person setup, that role becomes even more vital.
- Relationship Building: In-person interactions allow for richer, more nuanced connections. From greeting visitors in the lobby to catching informal hallway chats, you become the welcoming face of your organization.
- Cultural Stewardship: Leaders may cite “culture” as the reason for bringing teams on-site, but assistants are the ones who actually foster and maintain that culture daily. Organizing birthday gatherings, volunteer events, or simply checking in with teammates sets the tone.
- Adaptable Support: Returning on-site demands an even sharper skillset, as you pivot between tasks that were once split among remote tools. Handling conference room bookings, desk arrangements, and in-person meeting prep becomes integral to productivity.
Think of this moment not as a setback but as a chance to elevate your role. You’re the glue that keeps your team unified—and in-person work offers fresh avenues to showcase your talents in real time.
3. Navigating Multiple Executive Preferences
One of the trickiest parts of RTO for assistants is accommodating executives who may have very distinct feelings about being back. Some are eager to get face time with colleagues, while others miss the perks and efficiency of remote work. How do you please them all?
- Open Dialogue: Schedule one-on-one check-ins with each executive to gauge how they feel about returning on-site. Ask questions like:
- “What aspect of remote work did you value most, and how can we replicate it in the office?”
- “Are there particular days or hours you prefer to be on-site versus remote?”
- Hybrid-Appropriate Solutions: For executives who retain some remote days, keep collaboration smooth by always including a virtual link in meeting invites and sharing in-person notes digitally.
- Anticipate Scheduling Conflicts: With more commuting and spontaneous meetings, overlap is inevitable. Use calendar-blocking, color-coding, and buffer times so one exec’s overrun doesn’t derail another’s plans.
Above all, stay flexible. As people settle into routines, preferences will evolve—and your willingness to pivot will keep everything on track.
4. Strategically Structuring Your Day for Success
Losing the at-home convenience of quickly flipping laundry or grabbing lunch from your kitchen can feel daunting. On the flip side, the office environment might spark new energy and focus—if you plan wisely. Here’s how to optimize your time and keep stress in check:
- Plan Commute Logistics: Address the number-one challenge—commuting. Can you negotiate staggered hours to avoid rush hour? Carpool with coworkers? Brainstorm these options early.
- Batch Tasks: In the office, consider “admin power hours” dedicated to uninterrupted focus—clearing emails or handling data entry in one go.
- Set Boundaries: When you leave the office, physically and mentally leave work behind. Close your computer at day’s end to preserve personal time.
It’s a learning curve for everyone. Experiment with different routines and don’t hesitate to share what’s working—or not—with your manager.
5. Fostering Team Engagement and Culture
A key objective of in-office work is to strengthen culture. As an administrative professional, you have a unique vantage point to drive engagement and unity.
- Host Welcome-Back Activities: Organize casual coffee gatherings or team-building sessions to break the ice after months of remote work.
- Promote Knowledge Sharing: Hybrid setups can create silos. Hold regular huddles so remote colleagues feel as included as those in the room.
- Recognize Achievements: Small acts—shout-outs during staff meetings or a “Gratitude Board”—go a long way in boosting morale.
By being proactive, you help prevent resentment and ensure smoother transitions.
6. Maintaining Work-Life Balance
You may miss at-home breaks like midday dog walks. The office shift can feel abrupt, but you can still preserve balance:
- Maximize Your Commute: Transform commute time into a positive—listen to an inspiring podcast or audiobook.
- Self-Care at the Office: Take brief walks, stretch between tasks, or schedule quick social catch-ups to stave off burnout.
- Revisit Your Routine: If you worked early mornings or late evenings at home, decide what to keep. Negotiate a day or two of remote flexibility if possible.
Communicate openly with your manager if your work-life balance is slipping—the best time to raise concerns is before burnout hits.
7. Money Matters: Navigating the Financial Impact
On-site work often means extra expenses—transportation, parking, childcare, office attire. Research shows RTO can add hundreds of dollars in monthly costs. To offset these:
- Explore Benefits: Check for commuter incentives—discounted transit passes, parking stipends, or dependent care accounts.
- Coordinate Care: Look into partial-day childcare or shared pet care arrangements.
- Negotiate Where Possible: Propose staggered hours to reduce peak-hour costs or request a one-time transition stipend.
Proactively exploring options will reduce RTO-related financial stress.
8. Leaning into Collaboration and Mentorship
One of the perks of being back in the office is organic mentorship and skill-sharing. Take advantage of quick desk-side questions and:
- Shadow Different Departments: Set up “learning lunches” with finance, marketing, or operations to broaden your expertise.
- Be the Connector: Facilitate cross-functional brainstorming sessions and introductions.
- Find a Peer Mentor: Partner with another administrative professional to share best practices and encouragement.
9. Reflecting on the Opportunities
Returning to the office can feel like a hurdle, but it also offers a blank slate to reshape your work life with intention. You may face distractions and expenses, but you also can:
- Redefine boundaries between work and personal life
- Forge deeper in-person relationships
- Showcase adaptability and leadership in a visible setting
- Build new habits—like a gym stop before work or lunchtime learning
Ask yourself: Which remote-work benefits can I bring into the office?
Looking Ahead
Administrative and executive assistants have proven their resilience time and again. An RTO transition is yet another moment to shine. Remember, you have more agency than you might think. Whether you propose new collaboration methods, craft efficient schedules, or champion empathy in the office, you’re in a powerful position to shape your experience—and that of your team.
Practical Next Steps
- Identify Your RTO Goals: Write down one or two objectives—perhaps improving in-person meeting facilitation or strengthening executive rapport.
- Propose Solutions: If you face roadblocks (commutes, childcare, finances), outline potential fixes and present them to your manager or HR.
- Experiment and Evaluate: Try new routines for a few weeks, assess what works, and refine.
- Stay Connected: Join a network of administrative professionals to share RTO stories and advice—consider our Assistant Exchange Facebook Group.
