Remote Working

In our current situation, more and more of us are being pushed into remote working. In fact, a recent survey found that 74 percent of CFOs anticipate taking previously on-site employees fully remote in the aftermath of COVID-19

We do get work flexibility and save commuting time and it also increases productivity, however it often leads to working long hours, which can have an adverse effect on mental health. 

"BURNOUT IS REAL "

Managing a remote workforce can be a challenge. You need to inspire and motivate your team to do more than just their best work, you need to motivate remote employees to take care of themselves too. To really manage, motivate, and protect your most important asset that is your people consider these four-pointers.

1. Communicate with your employees/teams.

To avoid the disconnect because of remote working it becomes very essential to communicate. If your employees don’t receive information from the management, they turn to other sources, formal and informal, and that can cause confusion and even panic. It’s important to ensure that the entire organization onsite, offsite, or at home understands the priorities of the business and exactly where they fit in. Creating a clear roadmap helps employees understand the ultimate goal of their work, making them more productive and reassured that their efforts contribute toward a positive outcome.

2. Establish a Routine

The best way to manage and stay connected is to to make sure that morning check-ins, morning meetings, coffee meets, are part of a daily rhythm. This regular routine brings normalcy even in these not-so-normal times.

HR Teams across all geographies are focusing a lot on innovative ways to set up a remote working routine like; virtual welcome lunch for new hires, Friday afternoon snack break, or a Tea with the CEO. This small initiatives will indeed help you maintain the cadence and culture of your organization. Companies should also focus on “shutting down” for the day. These natural breaks will keep days from fading into one another.

3. Be there for each other

It's easy to feel alone right now, which can add stress, regardless of a person’s role or level in the organization.

Strong virtual teams are built on a foundation of trust. Start from a place of shared humanity and send your team a message of solidarity: "we’re all in this together", "we're there for you", "let me know if you need help". When employees feel a sense of comradery and belonging, the impact can be incredible.

4. Stay Positive.

We’re living — and working — through a time of uncertainty. But it’s important to stay optimistic and supportive in all your interactions. Think about some of the silver linings.

Personally, I am thankful for the extra time that I am able to spend with my family. Working from home has given me opportunities we otherwise wouldn’t have had. Having food together as a family, doing morning workouts, and spending evenings together is indeed a blessing. We have got an incredible chance to broaden our horizons and push ourselves toward new goals.

During this time, the best thing we can do is demonstrate empathy, compassion, and concern for each other. Embracing genuine understanding and positivity is the best course in times of uncertainty. You’ll reap the benefits and so will your team. Businesses that adhere to these four simple points of leadership will quickly realize that it really comes down to one basic principle.

"BEING HUMAN".

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