Smart Benefits: Tips for Remote Work Success

Monday, March 30, 2020

Rob Calise, GoLocalWorcester Business/Health Expert

Rob Calise

Companies around the globe have rolled out mandatory remote work. Whether your employees are newbies or work-from-home veterans, here’s how to help them stay productive and successful in a remote work environment.

Clarify responsibilities: Make sure you share your company’s remote work policies as well as your expectations about hours and productivity. Be clear about priorities – especially if COVID-19 has caused some changes – and success metrics so work stays on track.
Leverage technology: Make sure your team is using IT-approved systems for things like sharing files as well as for videoconferencing, advising employees on any suggested tips for maintaining professionalism like using a plain background.
Institute routine and structure: While it may take employees some time to adjust to working from home, it’s important that maintain a routine, like dressing and grooming for the day, logging in at the start of work and taking a lunch break.
Help employees balance work and home life. To draw clear lines, suggest employees establish office hours and ground rules for their family to prevent interruptions. Since many remote workers find it tough to step away, it’s equally important that they take regular breaks. And at the end of the day, encourage them to shut down and leave their computer in a designated work space.
Maintain a communication feedback loop: Let your team know how best to communicate with you and how often they want you to check in, share progress or provide project updates.
Encourage social interaction: COVIC-19 and the shift to at-home work can be isolating. Suggest employees stay connected socially with their colleges throughout the day to keep a sense of normalcy and maintain relationships.
Understand everyone is different: Some employees will thrive with less oversight while others who work remotely will need more communication. Be aware of the differences and provide employees the support they need to get work done.

Most importantly, be flexible. The shift to remote work can be challenging for some and require adjustments along the way so provide feedback on how it’s working and what employees can do to improve the situation.

Rob Calise is the Managing Director, Employee Benefits of The Hilb Group of New England, where he helps clients control the costs of employee benefits by focusing on consumer-driven strategies and on how to best utilize the tax savings tools the government provides. Rob serves as Chairman of the Board of United Benefit Advisors, and is a board member of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI Broker Advisory Board, United HealthCare of New England Broker Advisory Board and Rhode Island Business Healthcare Advisors Council. He is also a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU), American Health Insurance Association (AHIA) and the Employers Council on Flexible Compensation (ECFC), as well as various human resource associations. Rob is a graduate of Bryant University with a BS in Finance