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. In fact, data has shown 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 a richer, more nuanced connection. From greeting visitors in the lobby to catching informal hallway chats, you have the chance to be 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. Whether it’s organizing birthday gatherings, orchestrating volunteer events, or simply checking in with teammates, you set the tone.
• Adaptable Support: Returning to on-site demands an even sharper skillset, as you might be pivoting between tasks that were once split among remote tools. Your ability to handle shifting priorities—conference room bookings, desk arrangements, 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?

1. Open Dialogue: Schedule one-on-one check-ins with each executive to gauge how they’re feeling about returning on-site. Ask questions like:
   • “What aspect of remote work do 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 working remotely?”

This ensures you’re not guessing at priorities but shaping your support to their actual needs.

1. Hybrid-Appropriate Solutions: For executives who still maintain some remote days, provide a frictionless experience by keeping digital collaboration tools top of mind. Make sure meeting invites always include a virtual link, if necessary, and that any in-person notes or action items are swiftly shared digitally.
2. Anticipate Scheduling Conflicts: With more people commuting and more spontaneous in-office meetings, overlap is inevitable. Use robust calendar-blocking techniques, color-coding, and buffer times so that if one exec’s meeting runs late, it doesn’t derail another’s schedule.

Above all, stay flexible. As people settle into their own routines, preferences will evolve. Your willingness to pivot will keep everything on track.

4. Strategically Structuring Your Day for Success

Losing the at-home convenience of quickly flipping the laundry or grabbing lunch from your own 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: If commuting is the number-one challenge most employees face, address it head-on. Can you negotiate staggered hours to avoid rush hour? Is there a rideshare or carpool possibility with coworkers to save on costs? Brainstorm these options early.
• Batch Tasks: While working from home, you might have interspersed breaks throughout the day. In the office, consider batching tasks that require uninterrupted focus. This might mean setting aside “admin power hours” to clear out emails or handle data entry.
• Set Boundaries: When leaving the office, strive to leave work behind—physically and mentally. If you used to work extra hours at home, try to close your computer at the end of your on-site day. This distinction preserves your personal time.

Remember, it’s a learning curve for everyone. Experiment with different schedules and patterns, and don’t be afraid to voice what’s working—or not working—to your manager or executives.

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 that can drive engagement and unity.

• Host Welcome-Back Activities: Whether it’s casual coffee get-togethers or structured team-building sessions, consider how to facilitate enjoyable, meaningful interactions. These events can help break the ice after months or years of remote work.
• Promote Knowledge Sharing: Hybrid setups sometimes create information silos between those on-site and those dialing in remotely. Set a weekly or bi-weekly “huddle” for updates, ensuring that remote colleagues feel as included as those in the room.
• Recognize Achievements: Morale can dip if people feel overwhelmed by the demands of being back in the office. Simple acts like giving “shout-outs” during staff meetings or organizing a “Gratitude Board” can go a long way in fostering a supportive atmosphere.

Also, keep an ear to the ground: if you notice tension or confusion about new policies, you can gently alert leadership or HR. By being proactive, you help prevent resentment and ensure smoother transitions.

6. Maintaining Work-Life Balance

You might have grown accustomed to, say, throwing in a load of laundry between calls or stepping outside for a quick midday dog walk. The shift to office life can feel abrupt when those small pockets of home-based downtime disappear. But there are still ways to maintain balance:

1. Maximize Your Commute: If commuting is a mental drain, consider transforming that time into something positive. Listen to an audiobook or podcast that inspires you—maybe something related to professional development or personal passions. It might not match the convenience of stepping out to your own backyard, but it can still be a productive slice of time.
2. Self-Care at the Office: Short breaks aren’t just for remote settings. Take a brief walk during lunch, stretch between tasks, or schedule a quick social catch-up with a coworker. These small, restorative moments help stave off burnout.
3. Revisit Your Routine: If you relied heavily on working early mornings or late evenings from home, decide how much of that habit you need to keep. Maybe you can shift some tasks to a quiet corner of the office in the early hours or negotiate a day or two of remote flexibility if that’s an option.

As you navigate these shifts, remember to communicate openly with managers or HR if your work-life balance is slipping. The best time to raise concerns is before you’re on the brink of burnout.

7. Money Matters: Navigating the Financial Impact

On-site work often means additional expenses—transportation, parking, daycare, pet care, or even office attire. According to research highlighted in the Fortune article, employees returning to the office can rack up hundreds of dollars each month in these added costs. Therefore, investing in the following can help you save amidst RTO policies:

• Explore Benefits: Check if your company offers commuter incentives, like discounted transit passes, parking stipends, or flexible spending accounts for dependent care. These programs can help offset the return-to-office financial burden.
• Coordinate Care: Child or pet care becomes trickier when you’re not at home. If a full day of daycare is expensive, consider partial-day arrangements or coordinated shifts with a partner or family member.
• Negotiate Where Possible: If you’re taking on new or increased financial demands due to the mandated RTO, it’s worth having a respectful conversation with HR or your manager. You might propose an adjusted schedule that reduces commuting during peak hours (and thus lowers costs) or request a one-time stipend to ease the transition.

Financial well-being is a vital piece of overall job satisfaction. Proactively exploring options can drastically reduce the stress linked to RTO expenses.

8. Leaning into Collaboration and Mentorship

One of the most exciting aspects of being in the office again is the potential for organic mentorship and skill-sharing. Take advantage of those moments when a quick question at someone’s desk can spark a meaningful conversation.

• Shadow Different Departments: If your schedule allows, set up brief “learning lunches” with people from finance, marketing, or operations. This broadened perspective can boost your administrative expertise and make you an even more versatile asset.
• Be the Connector: Administrative professionals are usually the first to know if certain teams need help or if an upcoming project could benefit from cross-functional insight. Offer to connect employees or facilitate brainstorming sessions.
• Find a Peer Mentor: Seek out a fellow administrative professional—maybe from another department or a different company location. Share best practices, discuss challenges, and keep each other motivated in this rapidly changing environment.

Such collaborations don’t just enrich your own skill set; they help create a more cohesive, engaged workplace that thrives on collective growth.

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 intentionality. You may be surrounded by more distractions or face extra expenses, but you also have a fresh chance to:

• Redefine boundaries between work and personal life.
• Forge deeper in-person relationships with colleagues and executives.
• Showcase your adaptability and leadership skills in a more visible setting.
• Build new habits—like hitting the gym on your way to the office or learning a new skill during lunchtime.

Ask yourself: Which aspects of remote work were truly beneficial, and how can I bring those lessons into the office? Perhaps you valued the quiet focus time at home—can you carve out “do not disturb” periods at the office, too? Maybe you appreciated being able to handle personal tasks during the day—can you talk with your manager about flexible break times that allow you to maintain some of that balance?

Looking Ahead

Administrative and executive assistants have proven their resilience time and again, and an RTO transition is yet another moment to shine. It’s normal to experience a mix of excitement and apprehension. But remember, you have more agency than you might think. Whether it’s proposing new ways of collaborating, creating efficient schedules that respect your personal responsibilities, or championing a culture of empathy in the office, you are in a powerful position to shape not just your own experience but also the experiences of your teammates and leaders.

Practical Next Steps

1. Identify Your RTO Goals: Write down one or two personal objectives—maybe it’s improving in-person meeting facilitation or building stronger rapport with your executive.
2. Propose Solutions: If you’re facing any roadblocks (commuting, child care, financial strain), outline potential solutions and present them to your manager or HR.
3. Experiment and Evaluate: Give any new routine or habit at least a few weeks. Assess what’s working and what’s not, then refine.
4. Stay Connected: Join or create a network of administrative professionals where you can share RTO stories, advice, and encouragement. Consider joining our Assistant Exchange Facebook Group to network online with administrative professionals from across the nation.