In addition to their many skills and abilities, Executive Assistants must also be able to act ethically in the presence of the sensitive situations and information they are exposed to on a daily basis. This guide will reveal important considerations for EA’s as they navigate their role.

What Is an Executive Assistant?

Although the Executive Assistant’s duties will vary, the general mandate of the EA is to do what is necessary to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and success of an Executive.

Typical Executive Assistant tasks include managing projects and teams, meeting and presentation preparation and document access, calendar and appointment management, and various other administrative tasks.

Why Are Ethics Important for Executive Assistants?

EA’s today are often considered to be partners of the Executives and companies they serve. An EA can make several decisions during their workday that can ultimately impact a corporation in several ways. It is for these reasons that Executive Assistants should possess this strong set of ethics and apply them to every decision they make.

Confidentiality

The ability to maintain confidentiality is one of an EA’s most important responsibilities. They must ensure that confidential client information, Executives’ personal details, and business strategies are never misused or shared. Executive Assistants must treat every request for these types of information with caution and pause, and they must be willing to ask for clarification.

Information Protection

A vital part of the Executive Assistant’s role is to evaluate the Executive’s data security protocol. If they do not currently have a protocol in place, it is the EA’s responsibility to discuss available options to secure personal information and passwords. Working as a team, the EA and Executive find solutions for consolidating and centralizing the data.

Transparency

Executive Assistants may sometimes find that a balance between personal and professional interests is difficult to achieve. Where this is the case, transparency is crucial. As soon as the potential for a conflict of interest manifests, the best thing for an EA to do is to first disclose, and then seek guidance on the best course of action.

This is the best way to both maintain the organization’s trust and protect the Executive Assistant’s integrity.

Management of Boundaries

Executive Assistants spend their careers walking an oft-blurry line between personal and professional. Regardless of the task being completed, an EA must use their communication skills to remind their Executives about which tasks are a part of the role.

Doing so helps EA’s establish and maintain boundaries, and ultimately it ensures their ethical standards remain intact.

Identifying and Reporting Unethical Behavior

Unscrupulousness in the work environment is an occurrence and some EA’s are eventually exposed to it. Should unethical behavior occur, an Executive Assistant’s job is to come forward. Reporting unethical behavior to an Executive or company leader will allow them to manage the situation as they see fit.

How this type of behavior is reported is also incredibly important. Speak clearly, directly, and concisely with the facts and provide any related documentation.

Making Quick Decisions

Sometimes, decisions about urgent issues, staff management, or the managing of sensitive information must be made quickly. Often, it is unclear what the ethical implications could be. It’s in these situations an EA’s integrity can really shine.

By allowing decisions to be guided by integrity and seeking guidance when in doubt, an EA can maintain their ethical standards and their value to the companies they serve.

Finding and Being the Right EA

Executives seeking the right EA must consider important characteristics such as the ability to manage time effectively and remain professional during high-pressure situations. Confirming the qualifications of a prospective EA candidate, along with ensuring they match personality and company-wise, is also important.

If you are a currently available professional, finding the right Executive Assistant position will involve considering whether your personality, experience, and values are aligned with those of your prospective company.

Begin the Process

Whether you are seeking an EA or are an EA seeking your next placement, having support from an experienced staffing agency is key. Staffing at Tiffanie’s is an experienced EA agency. Since 1998, we have been using a refined, meticulous process to match top Executives with the perfect EA’s.

How It Works

Joining our roster of professionals is the first step to finding your ideal EA placement. In order to be considered as an available EA with our agency, you must provide at least two to three verifiable references and complete our rigorous screening process.

We conduct comprehensive background checks for all EA candidates to ensure they are the best match before we schedule interviews.

Why Prospective EA Candidates Choose Staffing at Tiffanie’s

Our lengthy experience and stellar reputation is what allows us to attract top talent for our growing list of discerning clients. To be on our team means having the opportunity to connect with some of the nation’s top clients.

If you are seeking employment as an Executive Assistant, apply to join our roster today. If you are seeking an Executive Assistant please contact us.