What was your workplace like in 2020?

Chances are, you had to go partially or fully remote. The COVID pandemic forced many companies to make the transition to remote work.

Even as the pandemic gets under control and the lockdowns cease, many companies have decided to remain remote.

If you work in the HR department, you’ve got to look at the remote HR lessons that were learned during the pandemic. Remote work is here to stay, and HR managers need to know how to help companies manage their operations in the digital world.

1. Research the Technology

Are you a tech geek? When it comes to transitioning to remote work, you’ll have to become one! Your first step is to understand the different remote technology software and hardware.

As there’s an abundance of remote work tools, you’ve got to distinguish what will work for each company.

You want to start with finding the best remote communication tools. You want to start with a videoconferencing solution such as Zoom or Skype. Next, you want to find an instant messaging solution such as Slack or Flock.

You’ve also got to make hardware recommendations for your team. For example, if you manage a team of programmers you might recommend a Dell XPS 15 for them. If you work with video editors, you’ll recommend the latest MacBook Pro.

Make sure you offer regular advice on what technology can best serve the company for their daily operations.

2. Research the Remote HR Trends

Are you up-to-date with the latest HR trends and ideas?

For example, remote work has taken away the social aspect of working for most people.

As comfortable as we might be with remote work, many remote workers will feel social isolation.

In 2020, we all had to face the negative effects of lockdown, social distancing, and self-isolation. These measures will have devastating effects on our mental health.

Make sure you find a way to organize virtual events and meetups. Check-in with your team and get to know them. You want to replicate the in-office environment as much as possible.

What about professional development? Part of remote employee engagement is to offer virtual opportunities for your team to develop their skills.

For example, do your team members know how to make a virtual presentation via Zoom or Skype? You can teach them how to do this!

You can also recommend online courses, webinars, or content related to their professional development.

3. Create a Communication Plan

One of the HR best practices that you’ll have to focus on is creating your communication plan.

This refers to how team members can communicate with each other while working on a project.

Start with identifying the preference of communication protocols. Here’s an example:

• For urgent messages and memorandums, send an email

• For a quick question or comment use the IM software

• Create a set of best practices for video/audio meetings

• Set strict rules on over-communication; communication should never fall into the realm of spam!

Part of the communication plan has to involve training your team members. For example, your team members should learn how to host a Zoom meeting and share their screens.

They should know how to write a succinct memorandum through an email. You want to also set standards for regular communication.

Here are some communication best practices to consider:

• Management should send an email each Monday to start the week; this can include a recap of the previous week

• Videoconferences should be kept to a minimum; once or twice a month if possible. These conferences shouldn’t exceed 1 hour when possible

• Teach when to send direct messages and when to send group messages

• Educate everyone on proper etiquette when communicating online

Make sure to spend time training your team members on your communication protocols. Don’t hesitate to bring up issues if your protocol isn’t being followed.

4. Create a Company Culture

One of the recent trends for companies has been to create a company culture. With work transitioning to remote, the question is will this trend continue, or is it over?

As a remote company, you can still find a way to create a company culture. The company culture focuses on the atmosphere of the workplace.

With a remote work setting, it’s much harder to create this atmosphere — which is what turns off a lot of professionals from remote work.

For example, some remote meetings start with everyone discussing their weekend. Others might end with everyone telling a joke!

You have to decide what culture works best for your company. If you focus on company culture, you’ll notice how your team members will love working with each other even if they’ve never met in person.

As more work becomes remote, company culture will be the determining factor for many professionals. A remote company that doesn’t offer a welcoming atmosphere will lose its best talent.

5. Emphasize Intercultural Communication

One of the biggest advantages of remote companies is that they can hire talent from across the globe.

Working for an American company with team members from across the globe will become the norm.

As such, team members will have to learn how to communicate and work with professionals from different cultures.

One of your biggest challenges with remote workforce management will be to help these different cultures get along!

Take time to learn about your team members and their cultural backgrounds. Try to understand the work culture in their part of the world.

Use this to create a protocol on how different cultures can get along and work together!

As a side note, you can also take the responsibility of finding the best talent from across the globe for your remote company!

Transition to Remote Work

Now you know the most important remote HR lessons learned during the COVID pandemic.

It’s clear that remote work is here to stay, and that companies will have to master the transition to remote work.

Start with creating a blueprint on how your company can transition to remote work. Educate your team members on what technology to use and how to communicate with each other.

Keep on top of the remote trends at all times so you can help your company survive during this exciting change with the future of work!

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