Skip to content
Even as restrictions begin to loosen, COVID-19 continues to change how everyone’s personal and professional lives operate. As a result of the pandemic and the on-going limitations, many employers have decided to adopt work from home policies on a more permanent basis.
There are tons of benefits of adopting a work from home policy, and as one of the top employment agencies in the GTA we’ve seen how this employment style can benefit both employees and employers. Companies need to establish a defined remote working policy though. Below are some important factors to consider when developing work from home guidelines.
Determine Who Can Work from Home
Not every employee is an ideal candidate for remote work. Some employees don’t work effectively with little supervision and some roles cannot operate outside of the workspace. Before establishing a remote working policy clearly define which roles can work from home and what the standards for that are. Maybe employees need to be in the role for a certain amount of time before they can remote work or establish a trial basis so that employees can prove they can still effectively work in a home environment.
Clearly Define Expectations
It’s very important for employers to clearly define work expectations for all remote workers. Employees should know exactly what is expected of them each day. This makes it easier for you to determine whether working from home is effective or not. Expectations should include types and frequency of communication, work hours, availability, and quality of output. Make sure employees know exactly what you want them to do, when you want them to do it, and how you would like it done.
Choose Communication Methods
One key thing our employment agency learned when working from home during the pandemic is that communication is key. Effective communication can be one of the biggest challenges in managing virtual employees, so employers need to decide how and when communication happens. Encourage employees to regularly check their emails or internal chats and have their phones charged and on hand. Employees may even want to schedule regular video or voice calls to check-in.
Clarify Expenses Covered
One of the perks of working from home for both employees and employers is reduced costs. Employees get to save on commuting, while employees can decrease office costs. However, there are other costs associated with working from home. High-speed internet, phone data, office supplies, and furniture, as well as electricity and other utilities all need to be taken into consideration. Employers should decide which expenses they’ll cover, whether they’ll provide an allowance, or if they’ll provide other means of compensation.
Keep Employees Engaged
The one downside to working from home is that the boundaries between personal and professional life can get blurred. This can be an issue for some employees. It’s important for employers to regularly make sure employees stay engaged with both their work and the company. It may take a little more effort to create ties to the company and other employees if they’re not in the same office, but employers need to foster a strong company culture, even virtually.
Final Thoughts
Working from home is a growing trend that has only increased as a result of COVID-19. There are tons of benefits for both employees and employers, such as more flexibility, increased efficiency, and reduced costs. Remote working can be hugely beneficial for companies as long as there are clear guidelines established beforehand.
If you’re looking for HR solutions from experienced professionals, Nova Staffing can help. Our employment agency is one of the best in Toronto and the GTA, and our team can help your company find, hire, and train new employees that will be working from home. Contact us today to get started!