Though WFH is no longer the law, it’s still a go-to approach for many businesses. Even if you only allow for a few days per week to be worked from home, this alone can make a huge difference to the work/life balance of your workers. There is a lot of dead time in a workday and letting them stay at home where it’s comfortable and, most importantly, they can cut out their commute for the day can do wonders for morale.
It also doesn’t affect productivity, especially when you improve communication capabilities and how you transfer data to your at-home employees. If you aren’t sure how to begin with that, look no further than these top tips:
- Understand Data Transfer Limitations
There are many instances where you may need to transfer large collections of data directly. You cannot use email for this alone, nor should every employee or person who works for you have access to your cloud system. In this instance, compressing files is a smart and simple way to get the data from point a to point b. Even with this route, however, it’s important to be very aware of the limitations of each option.
Take the top two ways to create archives that can make sending data collections easier. The first is ZIP, and the second is RAR. RAR offers superior compression, but ZIP can be used by anyone without any additional tools. If you work with freelancers or are outsourcing certain jobs, then it’s important to know how to convert RAR to ZIP. The good news is that there are several RAR converters for Mac to help make the process seamless. You can use this for your in-house WFH staff as well, though you may find it’s better to require them to get the necessary software so they can open RAR files for more seamless workflows.
- Require Minimal Technical Requirements for WFH Staff
Just like how software comes with minimal technical requirements, so too should each WFH setup. Yes, you can give your employees work computers that can handle the jobs you need them to do, but they’ll still need basics like a fast enough internet connection. This is thankfully easy enough for them to upgrade on their own, but you do need to set the requirement in the first place so that they know they need to splash out a bit more in order to seamlessly work from home.
- Use Collaborative Tools
One of the most significant challenges of WFH is the lack of face-to-face communication. In-office, employees can quickly pop over to someone’s desk or hold impromptu meetings to discuss work-related matters. However, remote work can make communication feel more distant and formal. Collaborative tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom can bridge this communication gap by allowing employees to communicate in real time, share files, and hold video calls with ease.
- Establish Clear Communication Channels
The key to successful communication between WFH employees is to establish clear communication channels. Everyone should know which tools to use and when to use them. For instance, you can use email for non-urgent communication, instant messaging for quick questions, and video calls for meetings. Ensure that everyone is aware of the protocols around communication, so they know how to approach different situations.
- Set Expectations for Response Times
Working from home can blur the line between work and personal time. It can be challenging to establish boundaries and ensure that employees are available when needed. One way to address this issue is to set clear expectations around response times. Establish guidelines that specify how quickly employees should respond to emails, messages, and other forms of communication. This approach ensures that everyone is on the same page and that work-related matters are not left hanging.
- Use Cloud-Based Storage
Cloud-based storage systems like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive can significantly improve data transfers between WFH employees. These systems allow employees to access files from anywhere, on any device, and collaborate on documents in real time. This approach ensures that everyone is working with the same version of the document, reducing the risk of errors and inconsistencies.
- Provide Training
Not everyone is equally comfortable with technology, and some employees may struggle to adopt new tools and software. Provide training and support to help employees feel more confident about using collaborative tools and cloud-based storage systems. This approach will ensure that everyone can use these tools effectively, reducing the risk of miscommunication and data transfer errors.
