Things to Consider When Transitioning to an “At-Home” Work Force
With the COVID19 pandemic currently sweeping the world, people are being asked to stay at home as much as possible. And since the novel coronavirus is more likely to spread amongst gatherings of several people, many workplaces are switching to an at-home workforce, to allow them to continue making a profit and paying their employees while avoiding having everybody in the office together every day. Organizations the world over are being forced to adjust quickly, and many are getting used to having employees work from home for the first time. If your company is switching to remote working in light of the COVID19 pandemic, here are some tips to keep in mind.
Provide the Right Tools and Resources
Switching from working in the office to working from home can be stressful for some employees, especially if they do not have all the resources that they need in their homes. Allow your employees to take office equipment such as computers or laptops home with them if they are going to need it for work. You might also want to consider providing employees with a stipend that they can use to buy further supplies and equipment necessary for successfully working at home, or getting them a voucher that they can use at sites like Blue Dog Supplies.
Focus on Building Trust
Switching to a remote workforce will require you to change your mindset. Managers need to become more focused on trusting their people as employees are going to be left to do their work from home instead of being right there in the office. In order to create a successful remote workforce, it’s important to offer more autonomy, trust employees to make the right decisions and improve transparency through clear communication.
Ask the Right Questions
Remote working definitely works, but consistent, clear communication is essential for success. Asking the right questions on a regular basis allows management to create a remote working culture where employees feel heard and valued and are able to remain productive and accountable, even when working from home. It’s important to be intentional when asking questions, as this will allow you to get to the root of issues faster and get to know your team members and what they need better.
Have Regular Meetings
Technology means that no matter how far away co-workers and managers are from each other, staying in touch is easier than ever. Having regular meetings not only improves communication and makes sure that everybody understands what they need to do and are on the right track, but it can also help keep the social aspect of being in work going, too. And with most of the world in lockdown now due to COVID19, being able to socialize with coworkers is important to keep that little bit of normality in a world that’s suddenly very different. Don’t just have meetings about work, either – arranging a quiz at the end of the working day on Fridays, or virtual lunch breaks can be fun and help your team stay bonded.
Is your workplace transitioning to remote work due to COVID19?
