For some organizations, working from home isn’t a realistic option, when core activities require onsite engagement. For many tasks, however, employees can maintain productivity while offsite. In response to COVID-19, many organizations are suddenly finding themselves with an urgent need to test the extent of their ability to support offsite work. In such disruptions, organizations need to consider the following key ideas, when building their remote work plans, according to Harvard Business Review:
- Recognize that remote work may be necessary, rather than ignoring the possibility, and engage team members to figure out what resources are needed to support this work;
- Identify key roles and tasks which are suited toward offsite work, and which require full- or partial-time in the office environment;
- Review IT resources and procedures, to ensure the tools for support of remote work are both available and current, while also offering training to those needing familiarization with the remote-work tools;
- Establish a method for maintaining contact with employees when working offsite, and for establishing meetings and procedures;
- Review what seems to be working and what isn’t, and revise procedures and policies to adapt to changing circumstances.
Sources:
https://hbr.org/2020/02/whats-your-companys-emergency-remote-work-plan
