COVID-19 has compelled companies to adopt working remotely instantly. This transfer in the working style has gone smoothly, but the managers of companies should know that it comes with a few drawbacks. There is a lot more to imposing this style of working that many of the companies realize. For being successful in the future, a couple of things need to be done, such as a structured course. Also required is a vital investment to improve corporate culture.

Keep reading to understand and learn more about how remote working during COVID-19 can be done right. Below-shared are some tips as well that would help you keep up with things and get the work done productivity just like you would do in an office environment.

Remote working during COVID 19

Working remotely is a chance for organizations to improve working sustainably and be able to get the returns and benefits in the long term. Imagine a company with small office space, undivided focus of workers, and fewer breaks. Observation of the market shows that while working remotely, workers take fewer days off due to sickness. While providing an insight into the Human Resource opportunities, it will also positively affect the remuneration system. Companies gain flexibility while remotely working at an extensive scale to deal with unprecedented situations in the foreseeable future.  Lastly, working remotely can offer the organization and the employees a revamped boost to solidarity and union.

Investing in working remotely will be beneficial and affect the working style positively after the crisis. Currently, it is not apt to say to what degree organizations will not revert to the old style of working after this pandemic. But companies should look ahead and see the benefits of investing more into it.

• A corporate culture where a review of collaboration provides relevant information and which is more convolute internally and externally.
• Setting new cultural standards and aligning the goals and expectations of employees alongside.
• Based on more flexible ways of working, introducing new operational models. 
• Methods that are driven by analysis and data to gain in-depth views of the employee’s emotions and learning behavior.

Challenges in implementing remote working during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is meeting companies head-on with numerous obstacles in a short period. To sustain the level of productivity, a smooth switch of remote working during COVID-19 is necessary, but it comes with its share of issues. The three major hindrances are:

Implementing remote working in a structural way 

Organizations that look at liberation as a tool during the adoption of working remotely without structurally adjusting, compromise the efficiency, and just add to the frustration that the employees and stakeholders are going through during that time. Solely providing essential tools and infrastructure is not adequate.

A couple of organizations, to begin with, already had the tools and infrastructure at their disposal when the crisis had begun but were not able to get to their maximum potential and are just reaching there now. Tools are an important part of the migration, but it’s not all it takes, it requires procedure, commitment, leadership, and guidelines all the way.

Securing the infrastructure for remote working

The change in control from a centralized location to remote working during COVID-19 has a massive effect on the security of the companies interests. This necessitates a change in the security and structural foundation of the organization. This is a crucial fact to focus on as cybercrime’s numbers have been rising since the pandemic started. This is not only for the managers but also for the employees as they need to learn to securely use their tools while working.

Balancing the work and private lives of employees

The quick shift in the style of working from centralized to working from home has the employees clouded when differentiating between private and work life. The initial use of this style of working shows that it does not change the productivity of employees, but shows a potential threat to communication and collaboration if it is left unattended. Investing thoughtfully in the employees and their welfare is a point to the organization.

Tips for remote working during COVID 19 crisis

It should be noticed that a majority of companies are swiftly initiating the new working style from home. This is so for those workers also who have been accustomed to going to office all their lives. Even if your company decides to call you to the office this week, there is a majority of a chance that you will have to work from home. Your home office could be your dining table, sofa, kitchen counter, or even may be your room.

If you are habitual to going to office everyday, this shift may require adjustment for the most part. Here are tips to make it easy:

Tip 1: Designate a workplace

If you have a specific place in your home where you can sit and get your work done it will keep you focused. The place could be an extra bedroom, small home office, or somewhere where you get your privacy. The place should preferably have natural light shining in. Furthermore, if you are required to be on video calls while working from home make sure that you are comfortable with the background in question.

Tip 2: Replicate the environment of your office

Remotely working during COVID-19, if you are used to a more formal approach in your workspace you can make the environment a bit more formal. Replicating the environment you work in it will be more beneficial. Example: if you have a certain setup of three monitors in your office try to do the same at home.

Tip 3: Create a work schedule

The COVID-19 pandemic is petrifying the managers and those who believe in old school methods of working, one of their arguments is that the efficiency will not be able to reach its maximum as there is no physical supervision. Whether it is true or not, the only way to avoid such a situation is to set certain schedules that have to strictly be followed. The team efficiency will build up only if the rules are adhered to. This also helps create job security as your employer sees you delivering and achieving targets on time.

Tip 4: Focus on your goals

Remotely working in the COVID-19 crisis could lower your morale and you may also be panicked by the current situation in the world. Nevertheless, if you are a person with strong ethics, sticking to your goals will help you keep a sound mind and assist you in achieving it. In order to fulfill a project or task if you require any tool, hardware or resources don’t get nervous and ask your manager for it. They will do everything to make sure you are provided with anything you need.

Tip 5: Maintain a consistent routine

Try to be consistent, set a schedule and follow it. Do your best to treat all days the same as you did before. Many people find it hard to get up early in the morning, but the earlier you get up you can finish all the difficult work fast and go on with the rest of your day with the easy tasks.

Tip 6: Stay connected with colleagues

Communication is key to remotely working in the COVID-19. Try to over communicate and clear things out with everyone before acting upon. Keep updating your boss and manager about the progress. This is essential because you are not in a centralized area where you see them frequently and can convey the message, it may happen that later on you forget about it. So convey everything when needed and communicate in an effective manner. Talk to your manager frequently and get to know the tasks you are expected to perform. Alongside all this, make sure that you are in touch with your colleagues and team. Everyone is working remotely which makes it easier to confine yourself and not communicate, so make sure you are in touch.

Slack serves as social outlets as well as an online tool that helps you in the workflow. It is a platform on which you can communicate effectively with people on calls to make sure everything is in check. Another element that you can add to your communication methods is teleconferences, as video conferencing when you work will help you to kill the isolation and boost productivity.

Tip 7: Take small and regular breaks

Working remotely has a disadvantage as if you are heavily engrossed in your work you may lose sense of time. With all things in consideration, it is important that you take regular small breaks to clear your head and revamp yourself. In an office it is easier as people around you start small conservations, or you stop by a coworkers desk and have a small chat. But while working remotely it is important that you take these breaks as in a survey it was said that about 90% of workers feel refreshed after a small break. So get away from the computer even if it is for 2 -3 minutes.

Tip 8: Create time for creative and physical activities

If you can try to get outside while keeping a safe distance from people, get some fresh air and stretch out. Do some activities that do not require interaction such as virtual yoga. You could play virtual games at your home such as table tennis or badminton, even golf as these will help you stretch and maintain physical soundness.You can also consider small activities such as gardening, painting and exercise.

Tip 9: Ask for feedback on your remote situation

Lastly, since you are new to remote working during COVID-19, keep taking feedback from your co-workers on the current situation. Keep track of what you can easily and look out for the more difficult things as they will assist you in contemplating the future. Keep communicating as much as you can as it will keep you up to date on all that you need to know.

Should your business need any assistance? IncParadise is here to help!

Working remotely will become a part of our daily lives in the future. Even though now we were compelled into it, the future will retain this part of the pandemic. This is the time for companies to adapt to the new forms of remote working during COVID-19. If you have not yet started a company and want to, IncParadise can help you. Additionally, if you need any sort of help during this pandemic, our digital customer service is here to help you at any time, provided you are our customers.

For any queries, email us at info@incparadise.com or contact us through our contact form on our page here!