Any Executve Assistants on here?

[Remmy123]

Hello

i am back to work today with dread. I work as an executive assistant for a very busy person my job also includes events, onboarding invoicing etc on top of managing a very busy diary/individual.

I have x3 children and work Tuesday to Thursday in London leave home at 7.30am home at 7pm due to the commute (office houses 9-6 but I leave at 5.45) and Monday and Friday from home

the x3 days in London it's so stressful and I am dreading it so much - I cannot ask for more days wfh as my role is EA as well as office manager

I've been looking for a new job but they all seem to be x3 in London and x2 from home

is anyone an EA that does more days from home and what industry?

i am in executive search and it's very full on

thanks so much x

Not an EA but I have an EA that works virtually from home. She is self employed and provides services to a number of clients.

I’m an office manager (with events and invoicing), no way I could do EA as well! Our EA to my boss left as she found managing the diary and HR responsibility too much, I’m on maternity leave so not sure if they have replaced her to be honest. I definitely think the self employed route could work, means you could manage your workload too.

I’m an EA for a company that has an office in London and one up North (I’m northern based). Officially we have to be in the office for three days and wfh two and this is what would be said to new recruits, but what actually happens is, we’re in the office if our Exec is in or there is an in person meeting but if our Exec is travelling or WFH no one really bothers with where we are as long as the work gets done.

Why can’t you ask for more days WFH if you present a good case on why the role won’t be affected?

@FawnFrenchieMum thanks this is what I need a company like this - my boss is old school likes people in the office!!

i often come home at 7 then log in again to finish bits off as so much time downtime commuting!

@Rafting2022 thanks but it would be a no she has made it clear the odd day fine but am expected in Tuesday-Thursday unfortunately

Im a firm believer that whilst doing attritional hours during busy periods if this becomes the norm then another person is needed or the work load reduced.
would the in office days feel fine if the workload was manageable? Maybe you’ve identified the wrong issue. If you’ve been in the office 9-5.45 and still need to work at home then you have too much work on a consistent basis.

also back today. I couldn’t sleep last night with my to do list circling my mind.

@Goandplay oh no it's a horrible feeling isn't it! Hope it goes ok

Work load isnt high all of the time and I work really fast but the commute is my biggest issue as getting home at 7pm isnt family friendly (three children) I find it frustrating being in an office all 3 days when can easily do a day from home but I can't in this company - boss often not even there as back to back meetings and travel but she likes people in the office!

Would something like this be any good for you:
https://www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk/about-us/work-with-us/pa-to-director-of-charity-development-and-directorate-coordinator
I came across it in my job hunting, but it’s not exactly what I am after.

Have you looked for jobs not based in London? I'm a EA in Berkshire for an Engineering and Technology company and never have to go into the office but tend to go in once a week/fortnight. The longer commute might be worth it if you have to go in far less often.

I've found that London based companies have been more keen for people to go back into the office.

@SarahLHs thanks that is a good idea!

@Sundaefraise this is great as remote but salary on the lower side unfortunately

Agree, it’s not great if you’re already in London or the south east, fine if remote elsewhere. This is the problem l think you can get stuck because of the money but really need a change for other reasons.

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We use the services of an EA who is self-employed and works from home, she has several clients. Mostly she manages diaries, occasionally we'll ask her to arrange minor events, we've had no need to have her in the office at all. In the 6 years she has been working for us I have met her three times two of those times was for a Christmas meal.

I'm an EA who does 2 wfh / 3 London but the company is flexible about it so I sometimes do 1/4 if it makes more sense that week (doing evening work because of time zones etc).

I don't think it's industry specific, it's more down to the company or person you support as to how it can flex. If it's based in London though, as PP have said, if you are in commutable distance they will probably expect 3 days in office.

If you like your current job I'd have another go at asking for another wfh day a week, citing you are having trouble fitting all the work in to the day as well as the commute.

I'm a PA I do one day a week in the office which is all I can do, anymore and it wouldn't be viable. I leave at 6.30am to avoid the traffic on the motorway (public transport isn't an option), if I didn't it would take me 90 minutes. It can take me 2 hours to get home though. Some weeks I do 5 days at home it all depends on if my boss is going in or not as it's useful/nice to see him in person sometimes.

My boss and company are pretty flexible though. Many people have moved or live quite far from the office.

Thanks good to know there are EA jobs that allow less days in office.

@Remmy123 I am an EA that’s gone from
3 days in London to 1 with a new job however this week I’ve not gone yet at all as my CEO is travelling - if the person you are supporting isn’t in the office do you need to be in? If you are struggling to do the OM and the EA role could you suggest a part time OM for the office so you could fully commit to EA duties only & probably stop logging on at home after hours also?

I am actually not enjoying my role and looking for something else and finding everything is 3 in London 2 at home if not more!

The 3/2 model seems typical unfortunately in London. Anything with with more flex on the remote side sees a dramatic drop in salary.

Not an EA sorry but we used to use Joss Search to recruit. Might be worth speaking to them to see if they have any roles with more flexibility.

Perhaps try and get an international director who travels a lot so you can work remotely when he’s travelling 😂

And EA/PA positions outside of London don't command anywhere near the same salary (that I've seen).

Another option is looking out for the illusive job share at a higher salary so you might at least break even or accept a slight dip if you can.

Thanks - I think if you get someone that travels alot then there is more chance of wfh
But it's going to be pot luck because it wint be advertised ike that!

my boss wasn't happy I wfh due to the storms Tuesday even though they were all travelling so fat chance I can do more from home.

EA of many years here. Just finished up in a dream job which was always London originally then went more remote and flexible as my boss got more global responsibility and travelled more. In the end, sometimes only 1-2 times per month in the office. Sadly he has now retired so I have a new role which is fully remote but about two thirds the salary.