The Covid-19 pandemic have led many organisations practising teleworking for the first time. It is also a first for a lot of people as well.
We don’t claim that we are experts on the subject, but since all TwelveSec employees are “free” to telework all year round, we know a thing or two about teleworking.
So, following are a few tips for both employers and employees that experience teleworking for the first time.
- Teleworking, while you can do it in your pyjamas from your couch in the living room, it’s still work. So, for those of you out there who think that it would be working while watching Netflix, we have some bad news from you.
- It would be advisable to set up a dedicated work space, trust us it helps.
- Be careful not to overdo it. Since you will be working from your own place it is very easy to overwork yourself. Set up a time schedule and follow it.
- If there are small kids in the house, even if you have a dedicated work space remember to ALWAYS lock your screen before leaving your device unattended. You can thank me later for that.
- The IT department of your organisation is your best friend while you are teleworking.
- …But remember they are just humans like the rest of us. Be patient and trust your friendly neighbourhood IT-man (or woman).
- Teleworking brings additional Cybersecurity risks in the game. You might be tempted to, but don’t deviate from the instructions of your IT team to minimise those risks.
- Try to avoid using your corporate devices for fun (installing games, browsing non work-related sites, etc.)
- You might think that teleconferencing is weird and sub-par when compared with the real thing, well we are not going to lie to you, it is. After a while you get used to it so soldier on, things will get better.
- Try turning on the camera during group calls. It helps bring you a little closer to your colleagues.
- Some people find it hard to get in “work” mood while wearing their pyjamas, if you are a part of this group the solution is easy, dress with the clothes that you usually wear when you go to the office, it helps.
- In case you miss the water-cooler chats that you have with your colleagues at the office, you can set up a group chat in a messaging group. Again, we know it’s not the same, but it is the best you can do under the circumstances.
- Close unnecessary browser tabs and apps from your PC once you are over with them. Doing so gives you a sense of “completion”, which is important when you are working on your own.
- For the employer/manager, beware it is easy to overstep and contact people after work, when those people work from home. Simply put do not do it, it is the worst thing you can do for morale.
- Oh, and if you are one of those people that do not trust your people to work remotely without direct supervision, why did you hire them in the first place, and also remember that an employer – employee relationship based on mutual trust and not on Orwellian methods works wonders on moral and productivity.
- Finally, we know that at least for the first few days, things will seem a bit off; don’t worry with positive attitude and good communication all will fall into place in no time.
We understand that things are going to be hard for everyone, but if all of us do our part the we will come out on top. And for the most of us what we should do, as much as we can, is to stay home.
So, let’s help flatten the curve and save lives, it’s up to each and every one of us to help.