The Covid-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the workplace. One of the most significant changes has been the rapid growth in remote working. Initially driven by the concern for public health, the move to working remotely, for entire workforces across some sectors has meant that organisations have had to become increasingly adaptive. It has also been a vital means for many organisations and workers to keep going.
Therefore, from ensuring healthy remote working for employees while working from home to enabling employers to keep their newly remote teams engaged, it has been necessary for employers and employees to adopt remote working practices. At a time when work and home have become one, it has also never been more challenging to maintain that all important balance between our professional and personal lives and to find ways to disconnect without physically leaving an office.
The CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) have published 10 Top Tips for Working Remotely as follows;
- Set-up a designated workspace
- Make sure you’ve all the tech you need.Get dressed
- Write a to-do list
- Know when to step away from your desk
- Stay in conversation
- Foster relationships
- Be clear in your communication
- Ask for support when needed 1
- Make remote working work for you.
Organisations should also remind staff of their existing health and well-being benefits (such as employee assistance programmes or occupational health) and how to access them when working remotely.
They equally provide Tips for employers managing employees working remotely such as, encouraging managers to conduct electronic risk assessments with their teams to ensure the home workplace is suitable. That people managers should set clear expectations about the way employees should deliver and receive communications throughout the working day. How it is essential for managers to keep connected with their employees and providing a means for line managers to check in on their teams physical and mental well-being. That managers should be clear about mutual expectations and trust your colleagues to get on without micro-managing.
For additional information on working remotely, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment held a Public Consultation on Remote Work Guidance for employers and employees. In response to the results of the consultation, they advise that this guidance page will act as a live resource for employers and employees adopting remote working practices. It will be updated as new guidance is developed to support workers and business both in response to Covid-19 and in the longer-term.
www.enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-And-Skills/Remote-Working/
If you would like further advice and guidance on any of the issues raised here please do not hesitate to get in touch.
