The hybrid workplace isn’t new. Flexible work arrangements date back at least to the 1960s. Even so, the COVID-19 pandemic sped up the adoption of remote working technologies, and four years later, more than half of employees are working in a hybrid environment. Knowledge workers such as executive assistants (EAs), who spend much time on computer-related tasks can benefit greatly from this arrangement, as can employers.
A hybrid work arrangement is often the ideal solution for both employers and employees. It offers flexibility, cost-effectiveness, greater efficiency, the opportunity to collaborate, and a more satisfying work-life balance. Most importantly, for employers it offers a greater selection of talent when hiring executive assistants and increased retention of valuable employees. As a recruitment firm exclusively focused on Executive Assistants, we can provide employers value insight on the pros and cons of hybrid work arrangements.
Hybrid Work Model Advantages for Employers and Executive Assistants
It isn’t just executive assistants who appreciate the flexible work arrangement. Companies who have a 100% in office policy have discovered reasons to embrace the hybrid office model, from reducing a firm’s energy costs to expanding the talent pool and boosting employee retention. While some companies still allow 100% remote work and some employers are now requiring 100% in office attendance, the hybrid model can provide the best of both worlds—focused work at home and critical face-to-face collaboration in the office.
Benefits of a hybrid work model for employers:
Wider Pool of Candidates
In our experience, 95% of the best candidates prefer a hybrid work arrangement with the option of at least one day a week at home or the ability to work remotely when the executive they support is traveling. Positions that are rigidly five days a week in office attract far fewer candidates, . By offering potential employees a highly desirable hybrid work or even a fully remote situation, you considerably widen your choice of candidates as you can recruit candidates from a much wider geographic area improving the chances of finding the best EA regardless of location. In a hybrid role, an EA may be willing to travel into the office from a much larger distance than if their presence was required every day
Cost Savings
With a hybrid or fully remote role, you also can save money and increase the talent pool you draw from because you can attract more skilled and talented EAs for less money. EAs often require a salary premium for a role requiring daily office attendance and will accept a lower salary for a hybrid role. If cost is a concern, offering some kind of hybrid arrangement and flexibility can amount to a meaningful savings for the employer. For the EA it can also offer a cost savings with less transportation cost and less wardrobe costs. The savings in commuting time alone might allow them to also save on childcare or household upkeep costs.
Aside from savings on salary costs discussed above, a hybrid model can enable a company to reduce office space and associated costs such as electricity, heat, phone systems and computer work stations. In many instances, work spaces can be shared.
Employee Retention
With a better work life balance, worker satisfaction is higher and employee retention increases, Greater work satisfaction keeps EAs on the job. The reduction in turnover increases employee morale overall within a company and also provides significant time and cost savings for executives and employers.
Considerations for Optimizing the Hybrid Ea Work Environment
For routine tasks such as scheduling, managing email, creating spreadsheets and documents, or updating social media accounts, an EA can work from home, where they’re not distracted by co-workers. Project management software, video conferencing, and other communication tools enable the hybrid EA to collaborate effectively with colleagues from any location. This technology helps EAs be more efficient by optimizing their workflow and keeps everyone connected.
Having executive assistants in the office, however, can sometimes be necessary for essential meetings, building working relationships with colleagues, and strengthening the company culture. Although workers can perform most basic and project management tasks remotely, video conferencing does not replace in-person communication.
If you are thinking of offering a hybrid model for EAs, consider the following:
- Set Your Expectations – Ensure that your assistant understands what you expect of them in terms of office attendance.
- Time Management Abilities and Self-Discipline – Hire an EA with excellent time management skills, self-discipline, and the ability to work independently when necessary. If they already have experience working remotely and have been successful, even better.
- Strong Technology Skills – Your hybrid assistant must be exceptionally tech-savvy and able to resolve many technology issues on their own if working remotely. Knowledge of communication platforms like Slack and Zoom and productivity tools such as Google Docs is essential.
- Productivity – A hybrid work experiment conducted by Trip.com, reported in Harvard Business Review, found no differences between hybrid and fully-in-office workers in terms of productivity, learning, innovation, performance review grade, or promotion. Hybrid staff members had a higher satisfaction rate and 35% less attrition—a greater drop for female employees.
- Performance Management – A study by Trip.com revealed four important lessons:
- The hybrid workplace requires a robust performance management system, so managers don’t have to constantly monitor employees to check progress.
- Scheduled in-office days for the team or company prevent workers from coming in just to attend Zoom meetings.
- Leadership buy-in for a hybrid work policy is essential.
- Do an A/B test for new company policies (and products), if possible. The new policy may end up being highly profitable. For Trip.com, the move to a hybrid workplace greatly reduced costly turnover.
Find the Perfect Hybrid Executive Assistant
C-Suite Assistants help business owners and executives gain a strategic advantage by hiring the ideal executive assistants for their industry, company culture, and preferred work model. Our extensive professional network includes tech-savvy assistants with deep experience working remotely and in hybrid situations.
Hiring a hybrid executive assistant doesn’t need to be daunting. Let our specialized staffing agency advise you and handle the intricate hiring process to secure the perfect fit for your company. Contact our recruiting team today.
