Although pretty much everyone is now working remotely, that’s not to say they’re doing it well. In the hasty response to get things up and going (which, let’s face it, we really didn’t have a choice, did we?), many factors were overlooked altogether. No matter how fast companies were able to set up their remote employees, productivity dropped significantly.
It’s not that people weren’t working, it’s just with schools being shuttered, internet bandwidth issues, and personal struggles, employees really have had a difficult time performing at the same pace as before. This can pile on to the frustrations people are already experiencing – I mean, did we really expect to be helping elementary kids with their online meetings?
Anyway, let’s just say it really hasn’t gone too smoothly, as we are all learning to adjust everything from our expectations, to our actual working hours.
We’re all doomed, right? Well, no, not really. There are a host of professional programs popping up to assist with alleviating these physical and mental roadblocks..
These programs focus on the people, instead of the technology. Yes, you may have technical issues with your online meeting platform, but that’s not really the root cause when it comes to decreased productivity. It’s people. And, as you’ve seen above, it’s no wonder.
Programs like this are designed to help global Human Resources professionals, and rightfully so. Just because your HR team deals with the people that drive your company and it’s success, it doesn’t mean they have experience facing a pandemic.
Remember, your HR department was as caught off guard as the rest of us. I don’t know if any university or professional course has ever covered what to do when 90 percent (or more) of your workforce goes online with a few days notice. Providing support and resources for your teams to respond professionally is crucial for the future health of your organization.
So, how do these programs work?
Some are set up over days, and some are set up for upcoming weeks.
Online teams spend a few hours working through these sessions with leading professionals in their field. These courses will help your staff cover a handful of important issues, such as how to make this huge transition easier on your employees, the tools and technology needed to carry progress forward, and how your org can develop trust amongst each other in such a fickle environment. 0
When people feel understood and supported by their employers, they work harder, usually have higher job satisfaction, and have a tendency to remain loyal. There are returns on this investment in the longevity of your workers. Companies know the cost of high turnover, and in this atmosphere, can we really afford losing money or quality employees?
These courses also (usually) supply ample documentation, or interactive online modules that take an hour (or a few) to complete, and can take the shape of mini-projects, reflections, or debates.
You’ll have the option to cover a variety of topics that pertain to issues your business may be facing. If you’re looking to support your global HR teams, they can cover topics like Remote work environments, tools to use (and the rules that should guide them), helping workers create effective routines, building trust and relationships amongst your departments, and even how to be more resilient in these uncertain times. I would say many of these online courses have pretty much nailed down most, if not all, of the concerns many workers and companies are facing.
But, hang on to your hats!
It’s not just all online modules. You can also find guidance in the form of videos, podcasts and webinars. You can take advantage of these learning opportunities from professionals that cater your particular needs and can provide guidance on remote work productivity. There are tons of resources out there, and it behooves you to make the most of them during this time.
At the end of the day, companies need to realize that if they want to be successful in outlasting the coronavirus, there has to be an investment in their most prized assets – their people. Providing tools and support for their employees to do their jobs well is key to making gains in productivity.
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