A lot of employees are working from home during this COVID-19 pandemic. With schools and daycares closed and other caregiving options probably not available right now, many people are trying to work while also taking care of their children and playing the role of teacher. As a manager, you’re navigating your own dynamic while also trying to effectively manage your remote employees.
Some of you have a head start on this if you were already working from home. You’re used to the dynamic of working and living in the same place and maintaining effective communication with your boss and colleagues. For others, this is your first experience working from home, so you’ll be adjusting to that along with everything else.
For everyone, though, this is a new dynamic. You’re trying to be a diligent employee and manager while also caring for those who are in your home and being present for them. Depending on the ages of your children, they may need a lot of supervision. You’re also now a teacher and are trying to come up with activities and help your children complete their grade levels. Plus, you’re doing this with social distancing, so it’s easy to feel isolated, and you’re attempting to keep your children from becoming stressed and anxious about what’s going on.
I’ve done work from home in a couple of settings, and it takes some trial and error to find what works best for you. During my last job as a Sr HR Consultant, I worked from home a few times while my baby was home with me, usually because she was sick or we were traveling as soon as the workday ended. Right now, I’m a few weeks in to my new environment of doing freelance HR work, such as this blog, from home while caring for her. Working from home can be a challenge but also has its perks! Here are practical tips for working from home (along with the other roles you have right now during the pandemic) to help you maximize your time and efforts.
Think about the possibilities!
Let’s start with our perspective. We are changing the way we do work. This isn’t about just copying and pasting your office life into your home. In fact, some things (maybe a lot of things) may be more challenging. Let’s get creative. How can you accomplish your role more effectively? What communication strategies keep you connected with your colleagues and customers? What meetings are unnecessary (or can at least be shortened)?
Then, think even bigger. This is a very stressful, scary time. It’s also a time that can teach us a lot about ourselves and be a catalyst for growth, if we allow it to be. What are you learning about what’s truly important to you? How can you harness these days so that you become an even better version of yourself who is able to give that much more to those around you? How can your family grow closer together? Each step is important. Each day is important. Let’s be proud of the story we’ll tell.
Model the way.
Whatever your expectations are of your team, they will be looking to you to set the example. This is always the case as a manger, but times of change and uncertainty seem to heighten this dynamic. You’ll lose your credibility if you expect productivity from them while you barely glance at your emails. Your employees are juggling multiple roles and demands just like you are. If you expect them to be punctual and respond to emails in a timely manner, then you need to be modeling that behavior. Demonstrate to them that you’re in this together and that you wouldn’t ask them to do anything that you aren’t willing to do as well.
Communicate with your boss, and understand the expectations.
Talk with your boss, and make sure you are both on the same page about the expectations of you and your team while everyone is working from home. What are the schedule expectations? Are there any different communication expectations? What’s considered excellent performance? Continue regular communication with your boss about how things are going and any updates from leadership that need to be relayed to your team. You want to keep the communication flowing in both directions.
Overcommunicate with your team.
This cannot be emphasized enough. It’s impossible to communicate too much during change and uncertainty, so communicate and then communicate again! Just as you modeled the way by discussing expectations with your boss, clearly communicate your expectations to your team.
Be intentional about keeping your remote employees engaged. Have regular conversations with your employees, both individually and as a team. Even if they’re short, it’s a great opportunity to connect with each other, build morale, and communicate updates. Ask for their feedback on how things are going and on anything that would help. This is new territory for a lot of teams, so be willing to accept ideas and tweak the approach.
Remember to be human as well. Be transparent about challenges you’re facing in juggling everything so that you can create an environment where your employees feel comfortable sharing their challenges as well. Your employees who are working parents may have some unique needs, just like you do right now. Find out what they need and brainstorm together to try to find a solution that works for everyone.
Maintain a morning routine.
Since you no longer have to commute or take the kids to school, you may get to sleep in a little later! Enjoy this. Then, get up and get ready for the day. Shower, get dressed (even if it’s into sweatpants), eat breakfast – whatever helps you and your family start the day. This helps you get in the mindset to work and also helps you to feel a little more prepared for the day rather than like you’re playing catchup the whole time.
Segment your time.
If you try to do everything the whole day, you’ll just get frustrated – trust me. Think about what’s needed from you in each of your roles – employee, teacher, parent, etc. – and determine segments of time for those responsibilities. Talk with your kids about this as well, and post everyone’s schedules so they know what to expect each day.
You’re probably used to having large, distinct segments of time for each role – you dropped the kids off, had your workday while they had their school day, and then picked them up. The current dynamic will be different. Your segments of time will be shorter and overlapping. Consider having your kids do specific activities while you do some work. If your kids are little, nap time is definitely your friend! As you try various things and start establishing a new routine, you’ll discover what works and what doesn’t. It’s a challenge, so have realistic expectations of yourself – you can do this!
Depending on your job, your start and end times may need to be exactly the same as when you’re onsite, or you may have some flexibility. Either way, establishing segments of time will help guide the day. Interestingly, it can be hard to stop work when you’re at home because that line is already blurred. Make sure to stick to an end time. The work will be there waiting for you when you return. This aids your wellbeing and gives your employees the freedom to do the same thing rather than wondering if you expect them to be working at all hours.
Map out your day, and stock your office.
Sure, it’s important to know what you want to accomplish that day, but a big question is where will you do it? Map this out. Decide where you’ll do your work, and make this decision before it’s time to start working.
Once you know where you’ll work, make sure you have any important supplies handy so you don’t have to spend time searching for things you usually have at your fingertips. Think about any IT needs you may have as well – computer monitor, power cord, ability to access files, conference call resources, etc.
For parents with younger children who need to monitor them while working, consider rooms that work for everyone. Maybe you set up your workspace in the playroom, or maybe you bring some quieter toys into your home office space.
Enjoy family time.
This is a unique opportunity. No commutes to and from work and school. No extracurricular activities. We’re so used to going nonstop to and from a bunch of places all day every day, and now we literally can’t. This is such a great opportunity to connect with each other. When you’re finished with your work, really be present with your family. Talk with each other, play games, go on walks, call your extended family and friends, find a way to help someone or brighten their day. Do those things that we easily lose the time for in our busy lives. So many people are getting creative with the kinds of activities they’re doing and the ways they’re staying connected with others in this time of social distancing. See what you can come up with and make some memories!
Prepare for the next day.
The goal is to keep the next day smooth and enjoyable, so continue to prepare for the next day. For me, this means I continue doing meal prep each evening. I also take a few minutes to plan out what I’d like the next day to look like and what needs to be accomplished.
Review and adjust. You can do this!
You won’t get this perfect the first time, which is really hard for us perfectionists. You’re essentially learning a new skill (or maybe a couple of new skills at one time). According to Josh Kaufman, “The idea of ‘mastering’ a skill when you’re just getting started is counterproductive: it can be a significant barrier to exploring a new skill in the first place.” He says it takes 20 hours of deliberate practice to learn a new skill and be able to perform well, which he outlines in The First 20 Hours. So, the good news is you can do this, and it won’t take forever! Be diligent and continue working at it. Swap ideas with other colleagues. It takes time to figure out what works, and what works well one day may not work well the next. Give various ideas a try and see what works well for you. Before you know it, you’ll be feeling more adjusted to working from home.
Photo credit: By eskymaks / Canva
