​Managing Remote Working Effectively During the COVID-19 Crisis

With the announcement from Leo Varadkar yesterday evening encouraging social distancing, many companies have taken swift action to ensure the safety of its staff. In many cases, this has resulted in an immediate adoption of remote working throughout all levels of organisations.

Mason Alexander introduced flexible working options and work from home in the last year to meet the needs and requirements of our employees. Fortunately, these pre imposed measures allowed us to brace the countrywide lockdown smoothly, as our team were already set up with laptops, multi communication channels etc.

If you are being forced to tread into the unchartered waters of remote working in light of the Corona Virus crisis, here are a few tips to make sure that transition goes as smoothly as possible:

1.Ensure everyone has the right information

Every team member must first be fully aware of the threats and dangers of the COVID-19 virus and how they themselves must take measures to halt the spread (find more information on the HSE website here).

They must then be made aware of the steps that are going to be taken to implement a work from home strategy – e.g. have they got a computer they can work from? Do they have adequate wifi in their chosen location? Do they have all the necessary programmes and apps downloaded onto their computer?

2. Be honest and open

We are still not sure what the full effect of the COVID-19 virus will be or what implication it will have on the Irish and global market. Communicate to your team that the organisation is doing everything it can and that updates will be communicated as soon as decisions are made on the future of the situation.

3. Use the right tools

Although communication in traditional office environments often happens through face to face interaction or emails, remote working communication must happen virtually. Using tools such as Whatsapp, slack, handouts, video conferences and text messaging means that your team has constant access to their colleagues.

4. Implement a roundup check-in every morning and afternoon

Implementing a morning and afternoon check-in not only allows to ensure workloads are being managed but it also gives the team a chance to check in socially. Social isolation may have a profound effect on team cultures so twice daily check-ins will ensure everyone feels comfortable in their new virtual team environment.

Do you have any queries on how to manage effectively during the COVID-19 outbreak? Contact us today!