Whether we use the ‘traffic light’ system suggested by two UCL academics or another method to exit the lockdown, businesses should prepare for a phased return. Peter Groucutt, managing director of business continuity and disaster recovery firm Databarracks has shared advice on what organisations need to consider when planning their lockdown exit. “When we come […]

Not all EAs and PAs wear capes, but Rochelle Biss from Uber for Business, Abigail Jones from Facebook and Marie Heinsen from Sagittarius Agency might as well, for their PA powers are nothing short of heroic.* These three EAs will be discussing the biggest challenges facing EAs today – both during the pandemic lockdown and […]

By Paul Stark, UK Director, Passageways With countries around the globe finding themselves in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of UK businesses have had to relocate to the safety of their employees’ homes to conduct their operations remotely. For some companies, it continues to be business as usual, however boards are coming […]

For leaders and those running teams remotely, the relentless task of maintaining positive staff morale in 2020 might just be their biggest business challenge to date, according to a report by Offices.co.uk. “Everyone is under huge strain, but it’s important for business bosses to recognise that staff are their best long-term asset and they need […]

With a significant proportion of the country staying home under current lockdown rules, a survey from Venson Automotive Solutions is revealing the surprising ways people are using their cars. One in three people have openly headed to the car for some peace and quiet (35% of men and 20% of women), 16% have used in-car […]

In the current climate, it’s more important than ever to save. In the past month, searches for ‘budgeting tips’ have increased by 39% – suggesting Brits are looking to be more careful with their money. In response, thinkmoney has compiled the ultimate list of budgeting tips for those who may be struggling to save at […]

UK businesses need to focus more on their cyber security during lockdown and be aware of the possible vulnerabilities of WFH (working from home) devices. That’s the message from Gauntlet Risk Management which recently commissioned a research survey into IT security practices during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the results, 41% of those surveyed said […]

For National Stress Awareness Month, Benenden Health’s Head Matron Cheryl Lythgoe provides insight into how employers can effectively manage employee stress amid the COVID-19 pandemic Workplace stress is the harmful reaction that people have to undue pressure and demands placed on them at work. In our report, Mental Health in the Workplace, it was revealed […]

With our work and social life all centered around the same location, it’s proving difficult to be productive during this tough time. We often find ourselves glued to screens binging the latest TV shows or catching up on our favourite influencers. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with this, but it can lead to us feeling […]

Sitting at our desk, dining table, bed or sofa (if that’s where you’re working from) for eight hours a day is the most passive thing you can do and can lead to back pain – one of the most common complaints made by office workers. Besides this problem, research shows that long periods of sitting […]

UK workers are spending two hours and 20 minutes browsing their phone during working hours each week, new research reveals. The research conducted by business telecommunications provider 4Com also helps advise UK workers on how to keep motivated while working from home, and remove the temptation to pick up their phones while on company time. […]

Northamptonshire-based Annette Harris has joined Alchemy Virtual Assistance, to provide remote PA and administrative services to small businesses in her local area. With over 30 years’ experience as a PA, and as businesses are being forced to suddenly adopt a remote and virtual approach to their operations, Harris says she is not scared to be […]

The largely unprecedented and uncertain nature of recent events has led to a significant shift in lifestyle for many, with the vast majority of office workers now working from home. With this in mind, flexible office specialist Workthere has put together some top tips on how to get the best out of your working day […]

Our new series takes a look at how PA Life readers are coping with working during the lockdown. First up, we talk to Marie Heinsen, Executive Assistant to the co-founders and head of Sagittarius Agency Services… How long have you been working from home?My daughter finished school on Friday March 20th – that was my […]

Almost half of working adults had no idea what their partner’s job involved – until now. A study of 1,500 adults currently working from home with their partner found many are only just discovering what their other half really does for a living. Prior to the lockdown, 46 per cent weren’t sure what their significant […]

As small businesses quickly tighten their belts and plan for a very different future, the demand for Virtual Office Addresses has spiked, demonstrating that home working might be here to stay for longer than the current crisis. A ‘Virtual Office Address’ is where a business rents an address at an established, often prime location. They […]

In response to Covid-19, the swift adaptation by many companies from office to remote working, in most cases overnight, has been admirable. Yet pursuing a new role can be a stressful time for many people, even without the added components of a global pandemic and economic uncertainty. The pressure of interviews, be they face-to-face or […]

By Karen Young, Director of Hays Accountancy & Finance Rapidly changing circumstances and investment in digital transformation in recent times means our workforce is working more remotely and more flexibly than it ever has before. This is adapting hiring and application processes and the emergence of video interviews is a significant part of this. There […]