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How do you handle overtime?
Is there overtime as an Administrative Assistant? Are there times when you need to go places outside of work hours? Do you bring work home and can you work from home?
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5 answers
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Tiffany’s Answer
Hello Lorenz,
Just to let you know, as an administrative assistant, there's certainly a chance you might be asked to work overtime. However, this can vary depending on your company's particular overtime policy.
It's worth mentioning that there are several reasons why a company might decide not to allow overtime. These reasons can differ based on the type of industry, the size of the company, and specific situations. Here are a couple of reasons a company might choose not to allow overtime:
Cost management: Overtime pay can cause labor costs to go up quite a bit. By keeping overtime to a minimum or avoiding it altogether, companies can keep a tighter rein on their budgets and manage their expenses more effectively.
Promoting work-life balance: Companies often care about the well-being and work-life balance of their team members. If they allow too much overtime, it could result in burnout, lower productivity, and a dip in team morale.
Just to let you know, as an administrative assistant, there's certainly a chance you might be asked to work overtime. However, this can vary depending on your company's particular overtime policy.
It's worth mentioning that there are several reasons why a company might decide not to allow overtime. These reasons can differ based on the type of industry, the size of the company, and specific situations. Here are a couple of reasons a company might choose not to allow overtime:
Cost management: Overtime pay can cause labor costs to go up quite a bit. By keeping overtime to a minimum or avoiding it altogether, companies can keep a tighter rein on their budgets and manage their expenses more effectively.
Promoting work-life balance: Companies often care about the well-being and work-life balance of their team members. If they allow too much overtime, it could result in burnout, lower productivity, and a dip in team morale.
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
Hi Lorenz! I don't have any experiences working as a administrative assistant. However, I know that overtime can vary depending on the specific job and company. There may be times when you need to work outside of regular hours or go places outside of work. Bringing work home or working remotely from home can also be possibilities, depending on the nature of your role and the flexibility of your workplace. It's always a good idea to check with your employer or supervisor to understand their expectations regarding overtime and remote work. Hope this helps!
Thanks for your encouragement!
Lorenz
Lorenz, I completely agree with Rafael. As an executive assistant, my overtime experience has fluctuated. It is rare, in my case, because we are encouraged to stay within the 40 hours. However; there are definitely circumstances where projects have required me to book hours above and beyond. With that in mind, I needed to get management approval and could carry on with my tasks and projects. But overall, I agree that this is limited to the scope of the field you are supporting and the projects they are working on. I hope this helps!
Cindy Luikart
Updated
Yenny’s Answer
Hello Lorenz! I've been working as an Administrative Assistant for over two decades, so I can tell you that the workload can vary based on your internal clients. From my experience, there might be times when you have to put in some extra hours. However, it's all about maintaining open lines of communication with your team. Don't hesitate to reach out for assistance when you need it. It's all part of the job!
Updated
Connie’s Answer
Hi Lorenz! I suggest being intentional about setting work hour boundaries and communicating with your executive(s) and team to ensure you are aligned. This will help with work-life balance and reduce burnout.
Updated
Kelly’s Answer
Hello there, Lorenz!
In my role as an Executive Assistant, I've found that there are moments when putting in some extra hours becomes necessary. While this isn't a regular occurrence, it might be required when we're in the thick of a special project or gearing up for a big event. As for traveling, my journey has taken me to various trainings, meetings, and events as the need arises. The frequency of travel really hinges on what your company does. I personally relish the opportunity to step outside my usual workspace for meetings and events. A change of pace and place can be quite refreshing from time to time!
Since the pandemic hit, my company has adopted a hybrid model, with two days of remote work and three days in the office. However, the option to work from home depends largely on your company's policies. It seems that many companies are keen on having their employees back in the office full-time, so the possibility of remote work will depend on your specific company and team.
As an Executive Assistant, I typically leave my work at the office after a full day. If there's more to be done, I prefer to stay a bit longer at the office to wrap up any remaining tasks. Instead of counting this as overtime, we consider it flex time. This means that if you stay late one day, you might start later or finish earlier another day, with your Supervisor's approval of course. I do carry my laptop to and from work every day, just in case I need to log in after hours.
Being an Executive Assistant is a truly fulfilling career in my experience. Each day brings something new and exciting. Yes, you'll be the gatekeeper, managing calendars, travel, and expenses, but there's so much more to it! Every day presents unique challenges that keep things lively and engaging. I particularly enjoy event planning and team recognition. If you're a well-organized individual with top-notch time-management and project-management skills, this could be an incredibly rewarding career path for you.
In my role as an Executive Assistant, I've found that there are moments when putting in some extra hours becomes necessary. While this isn't a regular occurrence, it might be required when we're in the thick of a special project or gearing up for a big event. As for traveling, my journey has taken me to various trainings, meetings, and events as the need arises. The frequency of travel really hinges on what your company does. I personally relish the opportunity to step outside my usual workspace for meetings and events. A change of pace and place can be quite refreshing from time to time!
Since the pandemic hit, my company has adopted a hybrid model, with two days of remote work and three days in the office. However, the option to work from home depends largely on your company's policies. It seems that many companies are keen on having their employees back in the office full-time, so the possibility of remote work will depend on your specific company and team.
As an Executive Assistant, I typically leave my work at the office after a full day. If there's more to be done, I prefer to stay a bit longer at the office to wrap up any remaining tasks. Instead of counting this as overtime, we consider it flex time. This means that if you stay late one day, you might start later or finish earlier another day, with your Supervisor's approval of course. I do carry my laptop to and from work every day, just in case I need to log in after hours.
Being an Executive Assistant is a truly fulfilling career in my experience. Each day brings something new and exciting. Yes, you'll be the gatekeeper, managing calendars, travel, and expenses, but there's so much more to it! Every day presents unique challenges that keep things lively and engaging. I particularly enjoy event planning and team recognition. If you're a well-organized individual with top-notch time-management and project-management skills, this could be an incredibly rewarding career path for you.