Supporting your Team Working from Home

It is an entirely different world than it was two months ago. There are obvious benefits to having team members work from home. You are helping to ensure their safety and providing opportunities for team members to care for their families. Working from home saves time and resources by avoiding the need to commute. On the downside, it is more difficult to communicate effectively or efficiently. It’s more difficult to provide direction, which is stressful for both team members and managers. Plus, there is a sense of loneliness that can zap productivity and enthusiasm. You can eliminate the adverse effects of working from home by taking a few simple steps:

• Check in regularly
• Establish ground rules
• Put team members in the best position to be successful
• Establish work-life boundaries

Check-In Regularly

When the team is in the office or onsite, regular face-to-face interaction occurs naturally. From weekly team meetings to unscheduled drop-ins, being face-to-face in the same space lends itself to person-to-person interaction. Working from home can make team members feel isolated, which is why it is important to establish regularly scheduled and some impromptu check-ins with the team. Doing so recognizes and acknowledges the efforts put forth by each member of your team and how those efforts contribute to team goals. “Out of sight, out of mind” is a challenge most managers must address. Checking in regularly says to your team that they are included and appreciated. Regular check-ins also tell team members that you are available for them and that their questions and concerns will be addressed.

Establish Ground Rules

How often do you expect them to communicate and in what way? Try using a variety of tools to connect with your team. Email and texts are fine, but using video tools such as Zoom, Slack, Google Hangouts, Basecamp, etc. provides richer, more personal connections.

Put Team Members in the Best Position to Succeed

Encourage your team to create dedicated workspaces in their home if possible. These spaces may be a spare bedroom, the dining room table, or any other space in the home that is furthest away from distractions. Consider offering to equip your team with the office supplies they need and assist with IT infrastructure if necessary. Creating a designated space in the home sends a message to other family members, even though young children may not fully respect mom’s office time.

Establish Work-Life Boundaries

When your team members commute from the office, there is a natural transition from work to home. Encourage your team members to replicate that transition from home. At the end of the day, shut down the computer and move to another room, or even relocate to a different part of the same room to replicate the transition from the workday to private time. Additionally, if you issue emails after hours, unless a reply is needed immediately, include in the subject line, immediate response is not necessary.

It’s challenging to maintain the same corporate culture when team members are separated from one another. With a dedicate effort of regularly checking in with team members, providing the tools they need to succeed and encouraging disconnecting at the end of the work day, you can help keep your team energized and motivated.