As England finds itself in another lockdown, many companies who may not have adapted to working from home before may well have done so this time around. With the prevalence of working from home and getting used to an array of methods to support this new normal, it is fundamental for employers to support their workforce and ensure that morale remains high especially during lockdown. 2020 has seen nearly a third of employees feeling unsupported by their work. As 2021 is around the corner, employers should bear in mind that promoting supportive practices is perhaps something to focus on for the new year.
Working from home means employees have very limited interaction with their colleagues, with all meetings and other means done virtually. This can cause a gap for employees and it is one of the biggest issues stemming from working from home that has been reported. Employees also rely solely on their own Wi-Fi and technology, given this isn’t provided by their work. With this notion, there comes increased demand for advanced technology. Problems such as having a bad connection or a laptop that consistently crashes hinders an employee’s ability to perform their work as they would if they were in the office. The cost of such advancements may put employees at a disadvantage feeling like there is no need to invest currently as the structure of the next couple of months is unknown, with there being changes on an almost monthly basis.
Employers, along with the lockdown restrictions and change in working structure, have their contingency plans in place and try to manage all feedback from their employees. Though it will still prove hard to keep track of every employees’ expectations given the economic impact a lot of businesses have experienced throughout the pandemic. With all expenditure needing to be accounted for, it may seem that forking out on new laptops for the team is not of paramount importance. It has certainly been a time where employees have found themselves looking into their handbooks and contracts and properly analysing their benefits. In light of current times, it may be useful for employers to readdress their current benefits and look at them from a pragmatic scope and add to these in a way that supports both the employee and the business.
Working from home adds that extra layer of needing to ensure that staff retention is maintained, and this can be done by ensuring that employees remain engaged throughout the entirety of working from home. Ensuring that employees are loyal comes from the employer’s good practice and supportive measures through testing times. Some businesses may even switch to working from home on a permanent basis, urging employers to fully support their employees in the process. The next year should see a big commitment to fully helping staff stay resilient and push through.