Ways to Manage Remote Employees During COVID-19

Few of the ways through which an organization’s manpower can be managed remotely are mentioned below: 

• Health and Safety First: As Corona virus spreads its reach uncontrollably, the top priority for any organization should be the safety and health of their employees. Allowing employees to work remotely should be coupled with providing necessary tech and other facilities to manage working from home.
• Internet or Remote communication: With working remotely, various meetings, discussions and stand-up meetings in close-knit areas are not possible. Internet or remote communication through Google Meet, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp Video Calls etc have overtaken in this pandemic. Employees can have their tea break chat or catch up meetings in these virtual boardrooms.

• Important and Critical Operations: While large number of employees can work from home, there are some areas, or functions which are critical to business and cannot be managed from home. Necessary precautionary measures are required during the running of such operations. For e.g. For online bakeries, like WarmOven, where the chef & other staff are required to prepare the takeaway and delivery orders, necessary arrangements should be made firstly for the safety of the staff & customer and for hassle-free running of the operations.
• Auditing Remotely: Daily or weekly audits can now be done remotely over a web call, video call or email with just the same level of accuracy as an on-site audit. Surprise audits always helps in keeping everyone on top of their game.
• Encouraging Growth: Employees in critical roles are essential for an organization to meet its strategic goals. However, in the current situation, management must identify those roles that are necessary to the success of essential tasks. Companies must encourage employees to develop critical skills that will open paths for various roles than preparing them for one specific function.
• Employer Employee Perspective: Post the pandemic, potential employees will judge companies based on how they looked after their key resources during this period. Decisions taken by the CEOs & top management during this pandemic will have a long-term implication on the future hiring ability of the company. Salary cuts & staff layoffs may be the immediate effect of COVID-19, but open communication with the staff, assistance in case of layoff, and recommendations for further employment will leave a favourable perception about the organization.