3 Ways to Keep Your Workforce Connected While They Are Working from Home
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It goes without saying that with the recent Coronavirus outbreak, we are currently in an unprecedented time. And while remote working has been steadily increasing for the past few years, many companies are now mandating that all workers must work from home, often with little notice and even less preparation.
At a time like this, when people need community and sense of connection more than ever, it is vital that you encourage your workforce to stay connected while they are working from home.
Here are three ways to keep your workforce connected while they work remotely.
Make The Most of Video Chat
In the current digital age, texts, phone calls and emails are often overused in place of face-to-face communication. Right now, when virtually no communication can occur in person, video chat is a vital element in ensuring your workforce stays connected.
There are several options out there for video conferencing software including Skype, Zoom, Facetime, and WhatsApp, all with slightly different functionalities. Work out which one suits your business best and make sure everybody has the latest version installed on their computer.
Conducting meetings where everybody can see each will go a long way to creating a sense of connectedness and community.
Some things to remind your staff of during a video conference:
Make sure your mic is muted when others are speaking.
Ensure your mic is unmuted before you begin speaking. There is nothing worse than delivery a two-minute monologue only to find you have to repeat yourself.
Check your camera angle. Weird camera angles can be distracting and unflattering.
Check your backdrop. Skype now offers a background blur option to provide more privacy in these situations.
Try and keep your kids occupied elsewhere throughout the meeting (although this may be easier said than done at the moment). Who can forget the hilarious moment Professor Robert Kelly’s children crashed his live BBC interview in 2017.
Pair Team Members with a Visibility Buddy
One of the biggest challenges that arise when people are working remotely is the lack of visibility around staff accomplishments. This can lead to a sense of isolation, malaise and ultimately, a drop in productivity.
Many staff members may feel uncomfortable trumpeting their achievements during group video chats. To combat this, pair up your team members with a visibility buddy who can give a shout out to their buddy via slack or Skype.
Along with ensuring staff are continuing to be acknowledged for their achievements, this also helps to build a strong sense of camaraderie amongst your remote workforce.
Schedule Remote ‘After Work’ Drinks
At many businesses across Australia, Friday night drinks have become a regular way for staff to de-brief, unwind and bond. Without this opportunity, workers may feel a further disconnect from their fellow team members.
However, Perth law firm Cullen Macleod Lawyers have come up with a solution, hosting virtual after work drinks every Friday via video conferencing software.
The firms co-owner Catriona Macleod highlighted the importance of maintaining such a ritual.
‘What we’re seeing is that everyone feels like the world is stopping. But it’s not about the world stopping, it’s about adapting for the immediate future[…]. “It doesn’t mean we have to stop communicating, in fact it’s critical that we don’t. Having digital drinks is another way of doing what we’ve always done, just in a different way.’
Facilitating remote after work drinks costs businesses nothing (other than a little bandwidth) and will ensure your team maintain their connection while working from home.
Who knows, by implementing the above strategies, your staff may return to the office post COVID-19, a stronger, more cohesive workforce than ever before.
Get In Touch
Are you a small business owner looking to create a work-at-home protocol for your employees? Infinity HR is here to help. Contact us through our secure website or call Iolanda Hazell on 0400 489 743 today.
References:
YouTube 10/3/2017 - Children interrupt BBC News interview - BBC News
The Australian 26/3/2020 - Perth law firm hosts virtual drinks session to keep the workforce connected while staff work from home
Entrepeneur 2017 - Working Remote? These Are the Biggest Dos and Don'ts of Video Conferencing
Disclaimer
The information provided on our blog is designed to provide helpful information, and does not constitute legal advice, and not intended to be a substitute for legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. You should seek legal advice in relation to any particular matter you or your organisation may have.