During the current COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people are finding themselves encouraged or required to work from home. Global authorities such as the World Health Organization and dozens of national governments across the planet are recommending this measure as a way for societies to manage the coronavirus.
Remote working helps protect employees from the spread of the virus, reducing the number of infections and easing the pressure on health services and hospitals, by practicing social distancing. It also helps meet business demands during the pandemic, helping people to maintain their earnings at this time.
Here we have put together a simple guide to some of the best practices for transitioning to remote working, and some of the tools that can help you get the job done.
Keep in Contact and Communicate Clearly
This practice is important whether you are working remotely or not, but is especially important when working from home.
Employees working from home cannot simply turn around and ask a colleague a question or for some advice. Keeping the lines of communication open between you and the rest of your team is important, so that questions can be quickly answered and instructions given. Social media apps like WhatsApp can be very helpful here.
The communications and instructions you make or receive must be clear and concise too. There are less opportunities to openly discuss memos or work flow, so make sure any communication is clearly worded and instructive.
Don’t Forget the Small Talk
Small talk is an important and often overlooked part of teamwork. It helps to build trust between team members and makes people feel more comfortable and like a valued member of the team.
One of the biggest challenges of working from home is isolation and loneliness. It is important that team members still communicate as much as they would when working at the office, and that as many social norms are followed even when the team is dispersed over many sites. Make sure you still acknowledge and celebrate birthdays, and encourage social discussion when workflow allows.
Schedule Group Discussion and Communication
Whether working from home or in the office, this practice is a great way to increase productivity and ensure that everyone’s voice is heard.
In scheduled discussions, held online through video conferencing or group calling, you create an opportunity for employers and employees to ask questions and discuss ideas, and clear up any confusion about targets, workflow, or team objectives.
Research has shown that these types of group discussions help improve productivity by giving people the chance to voice concerns and share ideas and methods. These quick discussions often leave people feeling better informed and invigorated, and they will often be more focused on their tasks and get straight to work.
Stay Focused on Being Consistent
If you are working remotely, being organized and working efficiently may be the difference between success and failure for you and your team.
Working remotely requires some self-discipline to make sure you aren’t distracted by home comforts. Your work still requires your undivided attention and you will need to stay focused on your tasks to complete them in a timely fashion.
If you begin to feel your attention waning, this is a good time to communicate with your remote colleagues. This doesn’t have to be simple emails or messaging. There are online tools that people can use to ‘brainstorm’ together online, to help solve problems.
Invest in Your Wellness and Wellbeing
Remote working can be fun, and an interesting break from the routine and monotony of going to an office every day. It is important to maintain your health and wellbeing in this time, however. Though many people may find themselves quarantined, or under curfew, to help deal with COVID-19, exercise is still important and will help you stay engaged with your tasks.
Sleep is just as important as exercise, and if you aren’t sleeping well this will affect your productivity. You may need to change your bedding to get a better night’s sleep, or your mattress. Look here for the best mattresses for remote workers. A simple change like this can make a huge difference to remote working.
If you embrace your remote working in this time, you can turn a crisis into an opportunity and greatly increase your productivity, while still enjoying the benefits of working from home.
