Administrative support professionals are essential in any workplace, but what happens when an office’s operations get moved online? The recent shift from in-person operations to telework has thrown many people for a loop. Many of us depend on professionals in administrative support jobs to assist with paperwork, keep lines of communication open, and help with scheduling and running meetings. Here are just a few of the ways that the recent increase in telework has impacted people in administrative support positions.

Increased Use of Call Forwarding and Remote Services

For professionals in administrative support jobs, adapting to unexpected changes is a vital skill. Administrative support professionals everywhere have had to adapt to the decrease in in-office work by utilizing call forwarding, video conferencing, and other communications and task management software to complete their duties remotely. Receptionists, desk managers, and customer service staff, in particular, have had to adjust the way they work. Some receptionists are working from home and having all calls routed to their cell phones or laptops using VOIP services. For those who are deemed essential staff in areas with business closures, many administrative support personnel still have to forward calls to their coworkers who are suddenly working from home.

Many Businesses Are Assigning Reduced Hours

Adapting to these rapid changes requires a great deal of flexibility and attention to detail from employees, which would be a challenge under normal circumstances. However, many administrative professionals are facing adjustments to their hours and work schedules, too. With employers uncertain about how long the COVID-19 pandemic will last, many administrative support professionals are experiencing a decrease in their scheduled hours. For many, this means that they must accomplish much of the same work as they normally would in a shorter amount of time.

Administrative Support Staff Are Essential to Maintain Communication

Because these employees typically work with many different departments and managers, businesses rely on their administrative support staff to maintain open lines of communication among different company branches. This can be even more challenging when physical offices are closed. What was once a visit to a coworker’s office to ask a question becomes a chain of emails, quickly overtaking inboxes and leading to lost emails and miscommunication. With the increase in telework, people in administrative support jobs have had to adapt to an increase in online communication. This can put anyone’s organizational skills to the test. Fortunately, many administrative support professionals strive to keep their organizational skills honed and ready for any challenge.

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