It seems that work from home is the new norm – at least, until this whole ordeal with the coronavirus is over – and economic activity can normalize and go back to how it was before.
For now, while social distancing is still being strictly observed and even land travel should be restricted to the most essential activity, most businesses that are continuing their operations have enacted a remote workforce.
Though a lot of companies are using work from home arrangements with their employees, and the rise in freelancers in recent years has already made this part of the culture, there are still traditional companies that are new to the whole thought and may not be used to the idea.
Whether you are a millennial business owner who is used to the practice of working from home, or a traditional manager who may find it uncomfortable, here are some vital things to keep in mind as you manage your remote employee operations:
1. Have a reliable chat application installed.
Constant communication is what will keep the continuity intact. Have your employees install a reliable chat application where you can schedule calls, update each other real time on your progress, and be able to transfer files easily.
Video chat applications have definitely increased traffic since the quarantines started and more and more people have been using them to stay connected. Make sure to choose an application that can guarantee uninterrupted and uncorrupted talk time.
2. Use a time management and task tracker app.
Without the expectation of showing up to an office and not leaving until the end of the work day, it’s harder to have the discipline to start and stop work on a schedule. Time management and project management applications will be helpful for both managers and employees to organize projects and related tasks, and keep tabs on everyone’s involvement with them. This will greatly help you and your employees manage your time wisely by keeping everyone up to date on their progress.
3. Reinforce virtual security.
Since most people are online nowadays and working through online means more than ever, hackers and other malicious entities are taking advantage of the fact that so much information is being transmitted online. Make sure that you and your employees are sharing sensitive files and other private information safely.
Your website may also be getting more traffic now because of the increase in online orders and general communications in the absence of a brick and mortar store. These efficiency and other security concerns may be worthwhile to take note of – it may be wise to upgrade your hosting services in order to accommodate the influx of online traffic as well as its increased susceptibility to hacker attacks. There are companies that can give you cheap VPS hosting, so it may be good to look into your options, especially since you will be online more often than you used to be.
4. Keep a sense of community.
Treading through the uncertainty of health and economic matters and not really seeing an end in sight can take a toll on your and your employee’s mental health and well-being. Work can give a continued sense of purpose, and the rituals and routines put in place can help keep everyone in your team grounded while things are unstable externally. It would be good to be faithful to your weekly check-up meetings and be available online as much as possible in case anyone needs to reach out.
These are some of the basics you need to keep in mind as you employ a work from home arrangement. Having them in place can help give you a virtual system while a more physical one may not be an option right now.