Contingency planning: A pandemic across the world where companies are now invoking a Work From Home policy
As the number of cases rise for the Covid-19/Coronavirus pandemic, companies are being forced to invoke a Work From Home (WFH) policy. Which for some, has not been part of the job agreement. There are questions around capacity of infrastructure systems, costs of supplying laptops and ensuring staff have the right software installed. There are also concerns around employees home set up, their wellbeing and of course trust that your teammate is online, doing the work and of course contactable.
The question really is, what can you do to set yourself and your company up for success whilst doors are closed on the office block during this time of the unknown?
As part of my passion for Culture Creating: I have produced a list of helpful ways you can support your organisation as well as yourself at any level – whether you are an admin, a manager or a CEO you play an integral part to the success of the new ways of working (from home).
WORKING FROM HOME TIPS
(Please take some, if not all of the suggestion points to your leaders or even to friends or community to be part of the success revolution of WFH.)
- Set up regular morning and if applicable afternoon check-in calls where teams can discuss workload, any concerns and us this as an opportunity to have contact with the outside world.
- Set up WhatsApp groups, MS Teams team and ensure your line manager has your personal number.
- Stress test infrastructure capacity and look to temporarily invest in expanding the band width.
- Look at options of renting laptops, your IT department will have partner contacts like Computacenter or Softcat who could potentially offer packages. (Just ensure you clean them first).
- For those who have access to machines at home, look to expand your Citrix platform and offer RSA (Remote Acess) Tokens.
- Create a Team A and Team B and rotate between weeks. This prevents cross contamination as well as reducing the risk of your staff coming into contact with the virus. Make sure you share this plan with all team members, especially senior management!
- If there is a team member you are concerned about whether it is their mental health or their home situation (suspecting domestic violence), if you are comfortable enough to do so, reach out the them to check in alternatively speak to their line manager and/or HR who can ensure the right action is put in place.
- Share your WFH and company changes with your suppliers. Let them know how best to contact you. Can they be added to a WhatsApp group? Or in new Teams group?
- Do you have a Yammer Page? Can you do something on their to promote and share a sense of a positive community?
- Always get up early, don’t be tempted to snooze until 8:55 then log in 9am on the dot. The truth is, in a few months time you need to get back into your routine again so don’t make it harder.
- Always get dressed!
- Set up a clear space for yourself to work, have regular screen breaks like you would in the office (like getting a coffee or having lunch) and make sure you have some natural light.
- Use this as a opportunity to get fit, time will no longer be an excuse – go for that morning run and start to think about how you can add this to your WFH and normal working routine.
- Drink plenty of water!
It would be great to hear from you. What are you doing as part of a WFH routine? How are you setting up for success? Do you have any suggestions or stories to share? Comment below!
Remember: keep proactive, power your potential and wash your hands for 20 seconds.