Effectively Managing Employees when Working Remotely

Effectively Managing Teams and Employees with Remote Working

These uncertain times have seen many businesses having to adapt to new circumstances to ensure they keep trading whilst also ensuring that they keep their staff and customer's safe.

March saw the government ordering that businesses have staff in only if it's not possible for them to work from home, with them later updating that to only "Key workers" being allowed to work from a place of business, this meant that, if not possible to work from home, employees would be put on furlough until such time they could work again.

For many employees and employers remote working will be a whole new concept to which both sides will have to adapt.  Getting used to introducing and using new technology, but also working remotely, without the buzz of a team around you to discuss ideas with, can be quite lonely.

‍

‍5 Tips to help you effectively manage your team when working remotely

Employers duty of care towards their employees does continue, therefore we have put together some tips on how employers can encourage working culture and ensure employees who are working from home are not feeling isolated or forgotten.

‍‍

Regular Communication

Ensure you and your team stay in touch, agreeing a catch up either on a daily or weekly basis. Using technology that allows you to meet as a team and see each other will increase morale, communication and may even mean them learning a new skill!

This also includes you keeping your employees updated with what's going on with the business; ensure you keep employees informed of any changes that you need  to make the business so they feel part of the business which will in turn ensure that they feel valued.

Also ensure that your team/employees are aware of how they need to communicate whilst they are working from home, will you be using messenger apps, just email, phone calls or will you use Microsoft Teams where you can create your own virtual work space?

Encourage Routine

A lot of people that work from home/freelancers often say that, whilst they don't actually commute to work they do still need a routine to help with productivity; such as getting dressed (!), taking regular breaks, having a lunch hour and an end to their working time adequately before they go to bed helps both physically and mentally.

Expectations

Ensure that you let your team know how & when you expect them to deliver and be online working. Do they need to be there 9-5pm or is there a degree of flexibility  that may be available (especially if they have children home)? Can they work split and flexible hours?

Best Practice

Encourage your team to share what works for each of them. Encourage "water cooler" chats, where you can get together to talk about things other than the job in hand. Ensure that your team feels safe in the knowledge that, if they are struggling, they can either share it with the team or their manager.

Support Morale

Share good news and wins, both personal and business will lift the mood of your team/employees and will give them something other than the current pandemic to focus on. It's also very valuable for mental health.

This is a great time to see how working remotely will work for your business and if it's something that you will be able to continue with once the current crisis is over and restrictions are lifted. Whilst you may have only an interim policy whilst it's a necessity it's certainly a good time to experiment to see if you can offer remote working to your employees all of the time, part time or not at all going forward.

Like what you read? You can follow Lunar HR on Facebook, Twitter and connect with Pardip on LinkedIn.

‍

Useful HR Advice for coronavirus

‍Coronavirus Advice for Employers & Employees

Furlough & Employees Retention Scheme

Tips on Supporting Employees Suffering With Stress