Tips for Managing a Newly Remote Team

Like all of you, we are closely monitoring the COVID-19 (novel Coronavirus) situation and implementing changes in our work spaces to ensure the safety of our employees and our customers. At PrismHR, and in our network of HR service providers, our main goal is the overall well being of our customers and their employees. We’ve compiled a list of things you can do to keep your employees and customers safe during this time.

If you’re able to have your team work remotely, we’ve got 5 tips below to ensure an easy transition and keep productivity up.

Tips for Managing a Newly Remote Team

Has your company implemented a recent work from home policy? As more companies are moving to have their workforce work remotely over the coming weeks, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help everyone in your organization make the most of the situation.

1. Schedule meetings and work hours in blocks: When you’re working from home, there can be a lot of distractions like family, friends, and chores around the house. Having your day broken up by meetings can make it hard to get any actual work done. Think about setting up some “no meetings” calendar blocks for all of your employees, and planning and sticking to that firm schedule should make it easier for everyone.
   
2. Over-communicate: To avoid confusion between you and your team, err on the side of over-communicating. Regularly check in with colleagues on phone calls, during video chats, or through your office’s direct messaging system.
   
3. Use video conferencing services: There are so many great low-cost or free video conferencing services available, and this is a great way to still get that face-time your team will be missing.
   
4. Plan virtual coffee/water cooler breaks: take every opportunity to make up for lack of time together in the office. While video meetings help, having these casual opportunities to connect are important, too.
   
5. Encourage employees to designate a “home office”: It doesn’t have to be a whole room of your house, but by clearing out a space for you to use during working hours will be way more productive than working from bed or the couch, and will help you keep work and home life separate.

There might be some changes to the way your employees perform their jobs in the coming weeks. PrismHR and our network of HR outsourcers are there to help you with any payroll, hiring, onboarding or compliance questions you might have. Get in touch if you need us.

 

 

Tips for teams who are unable to work remotely

If, for whatever reason you aren’t able to have your team work remotely, here are some ways to keep the office as germ-free as possible. Please note, this is not an exhaustive list and it’s important to keep up-to-date on CDC recommendations.

1. Have employees wash hands frequently: Everyone should be washing their hands for at least 20 seconds after entering or exiting the workplace, before preparing food, after using the restroom, etc.
2. Offer hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes all over the workplace and encourage use after every interaction with a customer or colleague.
3. Can that meeting actually be an email or posted memo? Social distancing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Keep meetings to a minimum and when you do have to meet, keep a distance of 6 feet between employees.
4. Wipe down electronics and frequently-touched surfaces like door handles and counter tops frequently with disinfectant wipes or sprays.
5. Encourage employees to stay home if they are not feeling well and send anyone home who is exhibiting symptoms.