Business as Unusual
We all had to change the way we work during COVID-19 lockdown, and many people found innovative ways to continue offering their services. Lockdown restrictions are now easing, but in Australia we are just about to go into our flu season and there may be a need to change our way of working for a much longer period. So how can your organisation continue to manage “business as unusual”?
Many businesses have been able to allow staff who normally work in an office to work remotely for the past couple of months, and many staff are now considering if they can continue working from home. There are some great benefits to remote working for businesses and staff, including:
- Better work-life balance – less commute time, more time with family/friends.
- Increased productivity – statistics show that people working from home are 35-40% more productive than their office-based colleagues.
- Cost savings in office space – businesses could reduce office size and outgoing costs with less people working in the office.
- Improved health & wellbeing – aside from improved work-life balance, staff will have less exposure to infectious illnesses from colleagues or commuters.
- Better use of technology – improved digital automation of tasks. Staff will improve skills on technology as it will be a necessity of remote working.
Let’s look at this last point in more detail…
How can your organisation enable staff to work effectively from home?
Remote working requires an organisation to provide employees with the right tools to do their jobs remotely. Below is a list of tools to support your remote workers:
- Portable computer – staff can use their own home computer; however, you may need to supply a computer for home use. It is important to ensure that the computer used by remote workers has adequate security to keep company information safe.
- Internet – staff could use their own home internet, but they may need to increase their data allowance or use mobile internet devices like hotspots or hubs. Check out our blog about improving home internet.
- Online office suites – staff will need to have access to online office software that they normally use at work. Microsoft Office 365 or Google G Suite provide a complete suite of office tools such as documents, spreadsheets, presentations, task management, project management and cloud storage. Check out some tips about using cloud software.
- Video conferencing – staff can stay in touch with their colleagues and manager by using video conferencing and online chat. Office & G Suite also provide these features.
Since the beginning of COVID-19 in March 2020, TechAbility has offered free consultations to help NDIS providers to get set up to work remotely and in setting up Telehealth services to enable them to continue to support their valued clients. We are proud to have provided services and support to many businesses from sole traders to 100+ staff in the past few months. We may still be in this situation for a few months, so if you need help to get set up to continue working during Business As Unusual, book your free consultation today.