In light of the recent government response to the Covid-19 pandemic, for the majority, working from home has and will become the norm.
For many of us, remote working is not all that uncommon. At Cause4, a proportion of the team will often work from home, on trains, or from different cities (and even countries); host meetings via conferencing facilities such as WHYPAY and deliver training through video conferencing facilities such as Zoom or Skype.
Yet, right now we are experiencing something very different. Like other businesses and charities across the UK, the whole team has been told to stay at home for the foreseeable future – something we are certainly not accustomed to.
Given that company culture is fostered, in large part, by employees coming together, it is vital that we find a way to ensure a positive workplace culture, so that our staff remain positive, productive and passionate about the work they do.
Businesses and charities across the UK have told their teams to stay at home for the foreseeable future
So how do we navigate this new world of remote working? Here are some ideas to implement:
- Set-out the Parameters: Structure and consistency are two key elements for successful home-working. When staff walk into an office environment, they often know what is expected of them, the parameters of their working day and how they will communicate with others. Whilst the specifics may differ, this shouldn’t change when working remotely. Where possible, employers should outline a home-working policy so that all staff have a clear idea of what is expected of them, and what they can expect from others. These policies may need to be flexible, especially when considering personal barriers such as the need to home-school children, but as long as they are transparent and consistent, they will provide clear guidance and support for staff.
- Provide the Right Equipment: Working from home can be a challenge. Most members of staff are likely to be working from a laptop, and many might not have an appropriate workstation, making long-term remote working a real pain. A positive working culture also includes physical environment, such as a clutter-free and quiet zone, and comfortable and practical desk space. Ask your staff to fill out a workstation checklist, and then provide them with the necessary equipment to ensure they can do their job effectively. Where appropriate, encourage your staff to designate an area that is specifically for working, so that they separate their work and home environment and have a clear distinction between the two.
- Stay Connected: Team meetings and connecting with staff on a regular basis should be a key priority for remote working. Staying connected to your team will allow you to maintain positive working relationships and give everyone a voice. At Cause4, we are using Zoom to host a short catch-up meeting every morning and for weekly one to ones, and are using Microsoft Teams to ensure we continue our water-cooler based conversations and regular check-ins. Other options include hosting coffee morning catchups over Skype and virtual drinks to celebrate successes, as well as continuing the professional development of staff through online training.
- Help Staff Navigate Remote Working: In a normal office environment it is easy for staff to encourage each other to take breaks and have lunch as a team. Working remotely can often be more challenging as people feel the need to power through the day. Staff wellbeing during homeworking should be a priority for organisations, and whilst employers cannot control the environment that their staff are working in, they can provide support by offering guidance on best-practice and enabling opportunities for breaks and creativity. Encourage your team to step away from the computer and utilise their time to take a walk, do some exercise, or engage in a creative activity, and share guidance with them such as Mind’s guidance on home working to help them take control of their own work-life balance.
- Facilitate Feedback: Staff feedback is key to positive office culture no matter where you are based. Allowing your team to regularly share their concerns can help address, any challenges quickly and easily. During a time of remote working, it will be even more important to check-in with staff, both in terms of their work and their personal circumstances, making sure they have everything they need to work effectively, and feel supported. At Cause4, we use the performance management software called 15Five, which is a great way to hear from our staff on a weekly basis, as they answer questions such as ‘how was your week?,’ ‘what is your biggest challenge right now?’ and ‘what can we do to make you more successful?’ This has enabled us to pick up problems before they become harder to solve.
Some of our favourite facilities and apps for remote working include:
WHYPAY: Telephone Conference Facility
Zoom: Video Conference Facility
Skype: Video Conference Facility
Microsoft Teams: Teamwork Hub and Group Chat Software
15Five: Performance Review Software
You can also check out:
Google Hangout: Video Conference Facility
GoToMeeting: Video Conference Facility
Slack: Video Conference Facility
Trello: Project Management Tool
Dropbox: Cloud Storage Software
Box: Cloud Storage Software
