In the midst of the COVID-19 virus outbreak, many companies, both large and small, have begun implementing work-from-home policies.
Among them are Google, Microsoft, Spotify, Apple, Twitter, the list goes on. Many companies even took a step further step by closing their brick-and-mortar stores, like Apple and Nike.
If you’re thinking about having your employees work from home in an effort to help prevent the spread of the virus, you need to figure out how to keep them on track.
Here are a few tips:
Keep their environment in mind
With many school districts shutting down, it is important for managers to be mindful of their employees’ home environment. Parents, for example, might have more difficulty working from home when kids are present, while others might have pets that are often a distraction. Some employees might not have a designated office area in their homes from which to work, so being understanding of their situation is crucial.
Communication
It is crucial you and your team keep an open line of communication to keep everyone updated on projects and deadlines. Use email, Skype, Slack, Hangouts, or whatever app your company prefers.
Avoiding loneliness
Working from home is not a reason you shouldn’t hold meetings with your team. Help keep them motivated and push their productivity button by making them feel as if they were in the office. Holding meetings with video calls is a good way to keep employees engaged.
Team unity!
At every stage of the process, inform your employees about company updates regarding work policies, including information shared from their health care providers, to reassure them of your business unity.
Healthcare updates
If you offer health insurance to your employees, learn about the updates they put out that might affect your employees.
If you are a CaliforniaChoice member, please check this post with updates from our carriers:
https://www.mycalchoice.com/stay-informed-carrier-updates-on-covid-19/
Do your research
Below are a few links to other articles and posts about implementing work-from-home policies; we encourage you to review and share the information:
My boss says I have to work from home because of coronavirus pandemic. Do I have to?
Suddenly working at home? We’ve done it for 22 years—and have advice
Use these 6 tips for better video calls while working at home
