One thing that the COVID 19 pandemic has taught employers globally is how super resourceful the workforce can be. At the start of the pandemic employers imagined working remotely would take a toll on the productivity of their employees and a substantial decrease in profit. But the switch from on site to a fully remote workforce did not put a brake on the productivity, instead the workforce fared even better. While some are able to work remotely there are many who still had to work on site and they managed to work impressively too.
But even if the switch has been impressive throughout, yet the employees do require employer support and thoughtful leadership. This requirement has been more than it was before this pandemic.
Enhance employee experience
So let’s go through 5 of the best ways to enhance the employee experience during the coronavirus outbreak :
1. Assist the Key On-site Staff
With cities and states implementing new mandates and lockdown guidelines weekly and fortnightly many organisations have declared work from home compulsory for another 6 months to a year. Yet, there are many essential industries which require on site working professionals. These organisations would be factories and companies engaged in the production of consumables and essentials that require warehouse workers and transportation people too for shipping.
It becomes crucial for employers to take the necessary precautions and measures to provide full safety to such employees. Masks, sanitizers, PPE kits should be provided to them, regular sanitization of the work area premises should be done.
Apart from this it is also important for the employers to check whether the social distancing norms are in place and followed by each one. The work stations should be placed at distances, no lunch breaks in groups and tea breaks in groups should be allowed. Washroom sanitization needs special attention and frequency compared to other office space.
2. Lessen The Financial Burden
Many of us are used to working in big corporate spaces where the offices and workplaces are nothing short of luxuries. But after the employees made the switch from on site to remote working, not many have a proper office set up in their homes. Working from home while sitting on the kitchen table or a living room couch/sofa is definitely not good in the long run.
Employers thus should encourage their employees to buy whatever products or furniture pieces which would help them maintain their own health while working. Tie-ups with on-line furniture business houses could be a useful thing to serve this requirement. In addition to furniture employees are forced to invest in broadband for both voice and data communication which could be eased by providing this using the power to make corporate tie-ups with telecom service providers.
For proper implementation of such programs, a meeting with the HR department would help in developing a plan which works in sync with the needs of the company.
3. Communication Works Well
In every company/organization the senior leadership, HR and middle management are entrusted with a strong voice that definitely makes an impact on the employees. People from these departments should therefore remain active during these challenging times by constantly communicating with the employees.
Announcements and bulletins should be released on a weekly basis to educate employees regarding the safety measures to be taken and what the company has been doing to safeguard the interests of its employees during these trying times. In some cases reduction in business, volumes could also be playing on the minds of employees and even making many wonders whether the company would sail through. Assurance from the leadership/management in a structured manner always helps wipe out uncertainties and clear the air, most importantly keeps the employee motivated to deliver more.
The COO or CEO should hold live sessions or send video messages which can be seen by all the employees to encourage them at every point.
4. Keep Looking Over Your Employees
When we work in an office there is a constant and meaningful connection between the employees and the employer. It can be a quick ‘How are you doing?’ or ‘All Well?’ that keeps the connection active. But during these remote working times, all of these face to face greetings and exchanges have vanished.
Therefore, for team managers it becomes even more important to keep a check on their team members. A quick phone call or an online one on one meeting makes the team members feel supported by the management. You can ask them about the ways they are keeping themselves energetic and happy as all are bound at homes. Make them aware of all the healthcare support the company provides, share some health tips with them, and make them feel important and supported at all times. “Looking over” is not “policing” so never increase the burden of reporting. Always have a pre-defined process for input mechanism and follow an out-put based reporting mechanism. Increasing the burden of reports not only de-motivates but also is one of the major reasons for conflicts and a break of trust.
5. Conduct Employee Engagement Activities
Your employees should not miss the activities that were carried out when there were full time office/workdays. The human resource team in addition to the team manager should ensure that such activities virtually should be carried out based on a pre-defined calendar. Making use of online collaborative tools small fun sessions should take place to keep the employees connected to the fun elements they were once part of and participated in regularly.
Working remotely and social distancing is the new norms which most employees and employers are struggling to get used to and bring about an environment of “business as usual”. To keep the morale up and to ensure that the employees don’t feel isolated during these testing times the above points will be of great help while adjusting to the new normal.
Customer experience is important, employee experience is equally or more important. Like the saying goes “happy employees, happier customers”.