4Cs Blog: Happy Employees = Happy Customers

As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across the world, workplace disruption is inevitable. Some of the measures recommended to slow the spread of the virus are to observe social distancing and avoid crowded places. In this length, there is a need for organizations to send workers home and to adjust the workplaces to reflect these measures. Managing this disruption has been quite a challenge even to the most experienced of managers. If this has been an uphill task for you, read through for some tips on how to effectively manage workplace disruption at this time while still keeping productivity at optimal levels.

If we were to tell you that the COVID-19 pandemic is an ideal time to measure your organization’s level of employee engagement, you might think we were absolutely bonkers. But some of you out there (that is, the astute ones) will undoubtedly realize this is actually a smart thing to do.

There is no doubt that these are challenging times. With only essential businesses open for face-to-face transactions during the pandemic, other businesses have closed or are operating on a remote basis. 

Those working remotely must reimagine their positions and adjust to the lack of immediate interaction, direction, and oversight that is readily available in a physical workspace. Employees used to an informal, collaborative office environment must pivot 180 degrees and function individually while mastering the various technologies that allow them to communicate with coworkers and clients.

How can human resources professionals and supervisors help their team adjust on the fly? First, they can think of this as an opportunity to create a new normal, where in the world post-coronavirus there remains the option of working remotely effectively and efficiently, perhaps reducing the need for permanent physical office space and its attendant costs, and increasing reliance on emerging technologies. Next, they can implement these six tips to aid in the transition from on-site operations to remote operations.

Technological advancements have engineered many changes in the labor market; workers are now able to work as freelancers and employers are able to set-up remote teams with little to no hitches. Remote working allows employees the much-needed flexibility to work when they feel most productive without needing to abide by the traditional 9-5 timeline. Employers, on the other hand, are now able to outsource skills overseas, especially talents that aren’t available in their local labor market. Remote working also helps employers to save on overhead costs by eliminating the need for physical offices. Remote working is clearly a good trend for business. 

There is a challenge that plagues remote working, though: How do employees boost employee productivity for a remote workforce? Well, a recent market study by FlexJobs showed that with the right management techniques, 66% of professionals are happier and more productive working from their homes than in an office. Many workers argue that they get less distracted when working from remote locations because there are no unnecessary impromptu meetings, no office drama or politics, and no bosses breathing down their necks.

But while that could be true, managing a remote team’s productivity isn’t as easy or straightforward as some studies make it seem. Employers live with the constant fear that their remote workers might relax and fail to deliver services efficiently or up to the needed standards. That is why you need to learn the following proper management tips for leveraging the flexibility of a remote workforce without sacrificing productivity. 

Kaiser Permanente: 10 tips to enhance your well-being while working remotely

Get dressed

As enticing as it is to work in your pajamas, it is not a recommended practice. Getting dressed, brushing your teeth and fixing your hair can help you transition into your workday and make you feel more confident (as well as help you avoid that terrifying moment when your video conferencing camera switches on).

Set aside a designated work area

Create and keep a dedicated workspace. Whether it’s a home office, a desk in the corner of your living room or even the kitchen table, make sure it works for you. Pay attention to your body position and eye strain, making adjustments as needed. Try to make your workspace a place you enjoy going to each day by surrounding yourself with things that inspire you. This can help you focus and do your best work.

Schedule walking meetings

Walking meetings can be done virtually. This works especially well if both participants are working remotely and commit to the walk. Snap a picture of where you are walking and share it with your walking buddy!

405 million long-distance business trips are taken in the U.S. each year — a number that's greater than the entire American population. However, due to current flight and business restrictions, and health risks posed by traveling in general, this number is set to plummet. Thankfully, essential businesspeople can still keep their pressing appointments by vehicle, which, if the definition of “safest” is specific to illness avoidance, is currently the safest mode of travel. Of course, traveling by car confers other benefits now that road trips are vastly more efficient.   

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