The Way Back to the Workplace: Telecommuting
Today: Telecommuting
It probably seems strange to be talking about telecommuting at this point, many of us are going into the 4th month chained to our respective home office desks now, so what is there to learn? For starters, many offices were launched into remote work out of necessity, and when employees eventually return to the workplace, it won’t be all at once, and managers are likely to find that many people have grown somewhat attached to the perks of working from home – That’s not a bad thing! Lean into it – Formalize those telework policies, get better at managing a distributed office, and use employees who work well remotely to maintain safe distance in the office, and maximize workspace.
For employers and managers:
- Keep It Going: Continuing to allow employees to work from home is the single best action to
reduce the risk of exposure and continue business operations. - Establish Formal Policies: Developing clear telework policies for employees and managers is essential for all organizations to ensure long-term success. Policies should clarify which employees are eligible, set expectations for communications and accountability, and outline expectations regarding access and security.
- Invest in Technology: Support employees continuing to work from home with the tools and equipment that enable them to succeed, including collaboration software that fosters employee interaction.
Troubleshoot: Identify problematic areas that can cripple work productivity in a telework environment and assemble a team to assist with resolution. Establishing guidelines for a troubleshooting process should be a focus when developing telework policies for an organization.- Focus on Results: Managers should establish clear expectations for employees and encourage team collaboration.
And for remote employees:
- Communication: Combat feelings of isolation by leveraging communication tools to connect with your manager and teammates. Use existing technologies to chat, email, and video conference often.
- Schedules: Establishing a consistent routine is key. Employees should maintain regular work periods. Share progress updates internally to increase productivity and complete work on time.
- Stay Active: When you travel to the workplace every day, you are likely walking from the train station or walking to lunch. Be sure to incorporate a home workout or walk around the block into your day.
- Change Your Environment: A change of environment within your home workspace can keep you energized and productive throughout the day. Move to a different desk or play music you might hear in your company lobby or in the elevator.
- Plan, But Be Flexible: If schools and businesses close and you are not alone in your house, plan to take shifts for childcare and adjust your work schedule as needed.
And don’t forget that Livable Buckhead is here to help – We’ve got experience helping offices write up formal telework policies with the help of a professional consultant [all for free!] and we can assist with finding an A/B scheduling or compressed work week rotation so that when employees do start to return to the nest, things are comfortable!
See my previous posts on Public Transit, Carpooling, and Paid Parking.
