Employers are faced with the dilemma of how to transition from remote work to a hybrid model (some remote and some on-site) or to an on-site full-time operation as they look ahead to 2022.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health statistics COVID-19 daily cases in Illinois have declined significantly from the high daily numbers of over 60,000 in February. Owners may be tempted to consider how to reintegrate their workforces in corporate settings if this trend continues.
The “new norm” will likely include both remote and on-site workers. A comprehensive blueprint detailing the steps required to implement the changes should be prepared by companies considering a workforce transition. Beyond the HR issues, there are other important considerations. Here are a few:
Information security — in particular the company’s IT infrastructure
COVID-19 regulations made it possible for large parts of the workforce work remotely. This meant that there was not much time to take a deep dive into how to ensure their systems were safe for both on-site as well as remote use. This is the time to review and revise the company’s IT practices and procedures.
It is important to have solid policies, a list of “dos” and “donts” regarding personal devices used to access company data, and what a company allows or denies regarding surfing the internet. There should also be formal training for employees on how to protect themselves against hacking attempts. It’s particularly important to make this step because many employees might be returning from a more relaxed environment.
Inform employees about what is and isn’t permissible. This should include a ban on personal devices storing company information.
Videoconferencing can replace in-person meetings
There have been significant improvements in video walls and videoconferencing facilities for businesses that have remote workers or transact business with companies in distant countries. Remote contact has become more common thanks to platforms like Zoom, Teams, and Go To Meeting.
Direct view LED video wall technology is a great way for companies to “up their game.” It doesn’t matter what video support system a company uses, it is crucial that the video communication system works flawlessly both on-site or remotely. This will require that the IT team ensure that information is transmitted securely.
Functionality in the Office
When people are only on-site for a portion of the day, it may require a creative reordering and reorganization of the office furniture. For example, one employee may use a desk Monday through Friday, while another uses it Tuesday and Thursday.
Open office plans that encourage collaboration are very popular. These include “COVID barriers” of Plexiglas to add an extra layer of security. “Phone booth” areas are also popular for private calls.
Take stock of your furniture needs and be ready to make creative adjustments.
As you evaluate, a furniture designer or an interior designer might be able to offer valuable insight. It is important to consider the needs of both the on-site workers and the remote team.
There are many things to consider when making a shift in your work environment. You must plan carefully, work with a strong team, and communicate clearly your vision to your employees. Good luck.
• Chip Miceli is CEO of Pulse TechnologySchaumburg-based company. Pulse Technology is a specialist in managed print services, managed networks (IT), document storage, furniture design, and sales. It also maintains an ecommerce site for office products. Reach Chip at [email protected].