STAYING CONNECTED TO THE VITUAL WORKFORCE

 

In the current unprecedented scenario where every organization is struggling with the new Remote Working Structure, the responsibility of an HR department is to maintain key relationships and connections with employees. HR should find ways to motivate employees and increase their productivity. Today, teams are juggling with various modes of impersonal communication like chat rooms, emails, video conference calls. 

Leaders and teams across the world are trying their best to inculcate some daily habits to bridge the gap and promote team bonding.Below are the Tips that can be used by the organizations for better communication and connection with the employees:

1.    Open Line of Communication- For all those times when you can’t count on a Skype call or face to face meeting, pulse surveys or live chat round-tables allow everyone to talk about their concerns and issues. It addresses problems of remote workers that might otherwise go unheard. Through the Emergency Response COVID-19 Pulse Survey, HR’S can get information from employees related to:

ü  Work arrangements

ü  Support

ü  Wellbeing

ü  Policies

ü  Business Focus

ü  Impact

2.    Establish 30 Minutes Check-In- Since on the floor practice is not possible in current scenario, Everyday 30 Minute check-in through video chat, phone call or instant messages can create a sense of normalcy. Check-ins can be one-on-one or held among small groups. By taking a planned approach to check-in, HR shows support to employees. It also reflects that they are available to answer their questions.

3.    Virtual All-Hands Meetings- All- Hands meetings are company wise gathering where the leadership connect with workforce and share information regarding all the important events and milestones achieved by the company. Since mass gathering is not possible, hence organizations should organise Virtual All- Hands Meetings. Leadership should directly communicate with the teams, making remote and global teams feel included. They should share important updates from each functional areas and Highlight achievements and areas to improve.

4.    Special Connect with New Joiners- HR should organize smooth on-boarding and Induction process for New Joiners. They should send out introductory mails and introduce them to their respective managers and team via online. HR department should also organize Online Training and assessment programs for New Joiners.

5.    Recognize Contribution- Thank you notes or a small 30 second video highlighting employee’s contribution in an organization are some of the great ways to show that you are thinking about them despite the distance. This is the best time to acknowledge and switch to a digital R&R platforms.

6.    Remote Wellness Program- At unprecedented times when people are going through so much mental stress and anxiety, Organisations should introduce Remote Wellness Program. This includes the following:

ü Virtual Yoga/Meditation Sessions

ü Training and awareness on hygiene, telemedicine

ü Virtual Interaction with Doctors

ü Tips for Healthy Eating & Healthy  Living

7.    Host Virtual Coffee Breaks- We may be social distancing but we sure miss socializing. Invite colleagues for virtual coffee breaks once a week during the work day to catch up more informally. This promotes the social and emotional health of the team and encourages the team’s social cohesiveness. Create time and space for workers to discuss about news, hobbies, about their day to day activities and other topics and helps them in relieving stress and make them feel connected.

8.    Forming Parenting Communities- Organize sessions for parents helping them to learn how to keep children engaged in a constructive way - which include craft, cooking, gardening, music activities. Organize virtual hobby sessions or virtual summer camps for kids, keeping them engaged for few hours while they work.

As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to spread across the world, HR department of various organizations is trying to help businesses manage this crisis. Whether it is about uniting and creating new teams in new virtual ways, encouraging employees to work from home, providing them a support team, understanding the legislation that is being passed in response to COVID-19 outbreak and accordingly changing the policies or by simply keeping the workforce safe, HR are has never been more important to an organization.