Message #73729

[rose.winter1980]

I'm coming in a little late on this thread, but here is my company's way of manning the front desk:

Our company's offices are in a gated garden courtyard, so all visitors have to ring the front gate bell to gain admittance. 

Our entrance is all glass, so there is great visibility.  We also have video cameras and remote control for the gates. 

All people coming in report to the reception desk and sign in, and we have separate sign-in sheets for staff and visitors. 

We have a dedicated receptionist and cover for lunchtime, sickleave and annual leave.  If the receptionist needs to step away from the desk for a short time, he/she (usually "he") calls in the back-up receptionist.

On occasion, as need demands,  everyone in the company can handle reception - including Directors - so it's quite democratic.  The only person who never sits on reception is our CEO, but it really is an exception for anyone higher than the basic Admin Assistant grades to be asked to help out and it is all about keeping the company's service to customers going.