Staff Ready to Work from Home During the Coronavirus Pandemic?

Is Your Staff Ready to Work from Home During the Coronavirus Pandemic?

Many Businesses Find That Remote Work Not Only Promotes Greater Flexibility But Also Higher Levels of Engagement Throughout the Workforce. Do You Have the Right Tools, Technologies, and Policies in Place to Emerge from the Coronavirus Pandemic Stronger and More Agile Than Ever?

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we live, work, and learn – for now, and throughout the unforeseeable future. As non-essential businesses, schools, and daycares have been shut down around the world. Companies have been forced to embrace remote work – for many, an uncertain change that must be done within a short time span. It’s no secret… It’s a difficult time adjusting to new ways of living, but there is a silver lining…

Did you know people who work remotely at least once a month are 24% more likely to be productive and happy?

That’s right… There are benefits to remote work above and beyond, allowing you to stay operational during the coronavirus pandemic. Those who make it work now will be well-positioned to emerge from the current circumstances stronger and more agile than ever before. Companies that allow remote work has a 25% lower turnover than those that don’t. A remote workforce means:

• Fewer distractions throughout the workday
• Less money spent on equipment or maintain an ample office space
• Less time wasted on telecommuting.

But of course, there are challenges with getting started in terms of remote work, especially right now, as businesses are rushing to make the transition – understandably so.

How Do You Effectively Transition to Remote Work?

It’s all about empowering your staff members with the right tools, technologies, and policies in place. This alleviates the challenges associated with working remotely – giving your team the ability to work as efficiently at home as they do in the office. Here are our recommendations for transitioning to remote work:

Consider Your Employees Internet Connections

First and foremost, you need to figure out who has a reliable internet connection at home and who doesn’t. A surge in remote access will take a toll on a lot of internet packages, so make sure they have what they need. If necessary, invest in an upgraded internet package or data plan that can be tethered to their devices as needed.

Look Into Cloud-Based Tools

Naturally, the cloud simply makes sense for remote work as it allows for anywhere, anytime access to applications, data, and systems. Take some time to look into various cloud-based tools, such as:

• A cloud-based productivity suite, like Microsoft Office 365 that gives access to email, calendar, contacts, and applications for word processing, video conferencing, and more.
• A cloud-based phone system, such as a VoIP system, that allows employees to access their work line, as well as all applicable extensions and transfer capabilities, from home.
• A cloud-based file sharing solution that gives the ability to access, share, and edit files, including any sensitive information, with the right security measures in place.
• A cloud-based version of all line of business applications, such as ERP systems, CRM systems, accounting programs, and more – to ensure access to the crucial resources needed.
• A cloud-based version of your desktop that enables your team to access their work computer from home. Take a look at our video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jhA5DJVai8&feature=emb_title.

Keep Cybersecurity as a Priority

In times of uncertainty, there’s one thing we can count on: cybercriminals will ramp up their efforts. We’ve already seen this happening with an influx of phishing attacks and fake domains created to take advantage of professionals looking for remote work tools. Make sure you’ve made cybersecurity a top priority with:

• Antivirus and spam filtering installed on every employee’s computer at home to ensure the risk of phishing, malware, etc. is minimized.
• Automatic patches and updates are rolled out to every employee’s computer at home to keep systems up-to-date.
• Virtual private networks used to encrypt data as it moves from your device across the network to prevent unauthorized access.
• Cybersecurity awareness training can be done remotely to keep your staff aware of how to detect and respond to any threats.

Create a Remote Work Policy

A remote work policy should be created to address all requirements and expectations before employees work from home. This should cover:

• The terms of the agreement, including any KPIs that will be used to measure productivity and/or results.
• The tools available and expected to be used, including any cloud-based services that are not authorized.
• The schedule expected in terms of hours worked and/or times where employees must be available.
• The technologies required, including who will provide them, expectations for performance, etc.
• The confidentiality and/or security requirements in terms of how sensitive data may be handled.
• The workspace requirements relating to the environment employees will work if shown on video.

Questions? Get in Touch with Centerpoint IT at (404) 777-0147 to Learn More.