With social distancing as the new norm, many companies have transitioned to remote working to prioritise the safety of their employees. With all companies in Singapore on lock down during this season, many companies are struggling to adapt to this new normalcy that helping employees adjust to new remote work routines and practices is important.
The most important step toward making the most of working remotely is staying connected.
1. Use online communication channels
It is normal to fear the loss of a community when we shift to remote work abruptly, especially when your coworkers are no longer steps away from you. The good news is, you can emulate the community from home with tools such as Slack and Google Hangouts. You do need to maintain a productive means of work communication. these tools allow you teammates to respond to each other regularly, maintaining the camaraderie we all had when we walked over to the pantry to chat in between meetings.
2. Check-in regularly
When adjusting to a work-from-home lifestyle, maintaining routine is key. By holding regular check-in sessions (team meetings) you'll not only guarantee remote work productivity but add important mini milestones for each day. If daily virtual team meetings aren't a necessity for your team, consider at least one-to-one video meetings a co-worker a day. The more you communicate with your colleagues when you're apart, the more structured you'll feel.
3. Be Responsive, Be Responsible
Being a good team member doesn't stop just because you're no longer meeting in person. The myth that remote workers spend all day binge-watching their guilty pleasure shows on the couch instead of working in their home office is long since disproved, but the impulse to sink into the couch and click "I am still watching" on Netflix all day long is real.
Be responsive and responsible for your work to reassure your teammates that you're able to maintain your productivity from home. Every time you respond to an email or Slack message quickly, or proactively set up a call with a teammate you're reinforcing your remote team bonds.
There will likely be cases where you need to step away from your desk, whether it be to make a lunch or to take a mental break. Add any break times to your calendar and communicate the times you plan to be away with your teammates. This helps keep everyone on the same page and lets you take a break without worry.
4. Find New Ways to Collaborate
It's important to remember that we are all innately social and emotional beings. Just as the success of your team depends on your productivity and communication skills, it also relies on how well you collaborate and share ideas with one another. The best collaboration is born from interpersonal connections and working remotely shouldn't hinder your team's ability to problem-solve creatively.
By moving your primary means of communication from email to mediums such as Slack for quick chats or Zoom for video team meetings, you're prioritising collaboration and ultimately filling any communication gap created by your new remote work lifestyle. Many companies have interest-based Slack channels for employees who share common interests, like dog lovers, gamers, parents, binge-watchers (Love is Blind, anyone?), and more. Start a book club or an exercise group. Many companies are now offering live streaming of workout classes and when you log on as a team, you hold each other accountable!
5. Set Up Your Work From Home Technology
For remote teams, access to the right technology and software are the end-all, be-all of how well you stay connected. A computer, consistent WiFi, a phone, and a web camera are work from home essentials. For those who work remotely full-time, more amenities are necessary. Some companies even offer stipends so employees can purchase the equipment they need to work from home effectively.
Work From Home Tools
Laptop or PC
WiFi/Internet access
Web camera for video calls
Phone
Video conferencing apps (Zoom, Teams, Skype)
Messaging app (e.g., Slack, Google Hangouts, Skype)
Public calendar noting working hours
VPN/cloud-based file access
Remote desktop software (e.g., LogMeIn)
Standing desk, desk mat, ergonomic chair
Noise-canceling headphones
Coffee maker/snack area
Timer for scheduled productive times/breaks
To make the most out of your remote team connection, you'll want the best video conferencing tools at your fingertips. With clear audio and a camera that follows you, you never have to worry about asking team members to repeat what they just said.