How are you doing? We’re approaching the final quarter of the year, and what a year it’s been.
A September like no other
While many of you continue to work remotely, others are preparing to return to office environments, at least on a hybrid basis. I know some assistants who are delighted to have this option, working from home some days and in the office part of each week. There are also assistants now searching for new roles as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, or awaiting the results of internal consultations before restructuring results in some layoffs.
Event planning – welcoming colleagues back, and Christmas/holiday functions
In any other year, assistants around the globe would already be on top of event planning for Christmas/holiday events, and you’d likely also have coordinated or contributed to other celebratory occasions such as retirement parties, recognition of long service, outstanding service and more.
Instead, some assistants are on the front lines for welcome back event or protocol planning. Depending on your organisation and locale, you may be sorting out whether the organisation will host any of its typical year-end events this December, and whether it’s suitable to hold them in person or virtually.
If you have well received ideas for in person welcome back practices, or for virtual celebrations, please offer them in the “Comments” section of this page. You’ll see an icon near the top of your screen to “Leave a comment”, and a “Leave a reply” comment box at the base of this post.
Your 2020 experience in a nutshell … or a GIF
If you’re on Twitter and would like to have a bit of fun, feel free to tag me – @ExceptionalEA and use the hashtag, #2020InANutshell – in a tweet with a single GIF that’s indicative of your take on this most unusual year. Now, on to the Poll …

Please take a couple of minutes to complete the poll below. As always, I look forward to hearing what you have to say and will publish the results here.