Helping Your Employees Work from Home

 In the middle of March 2020, a flu-like virus started making headlines.  The COVID-19 lockdown was supposed to only last a couple of weeks and maybe a month at the most just to flatten the curve.  However, the narrative of today is causing many organizations to tell their employees they can stay home for the rest of the year, potentially changing the work environment forever.

Therefore it is important for businesses and organizations to help their employees create the right workspace which will help them be more productive.  It would be advantageous to create a manual to share best practices for a home office setup.

1.        A good chair!  Sitting for hours in an uncomfortable chair is the worst and it doesn’t help anyone do their best work.  It doesn’t have to be the most expensive chair, but keeping your back and neck properly supportive will keep an employees’ neck and back happy.

2.       Computer monitors.  Everyone’s taste in computer monitors is different.  Some people want on big monitor and others may desire a dual monitor.  Regardless, if you are not traveling then having a larger monitor is great for your eyes and neck.

3.       Lighting.  It can be nice for employees’ eyes and even mental health to have a workspace near natural lighting.  Seeing outside and enjoying a view of sunshine can lead to increased productivity.

4.       Storage.  In the workplace, we have access to supply cabinets with all of the things we need like ink cartridges, pens, paper, staples, etc.

5.       Ample desk space.  Having the proper desk space will be important to create an environment that allows employees to separate working from sitting at the kitchen or dining room.  It will create a barrier for other family members to understand that they are at work.

Every situation is different.  Having a home office space can create a huge difference in work productivity.  It is good to have a partner that you can utilize to help you navigate these types of issues.  Questco is there to help you inspire your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.  Utilizing Questco’s vast experience, your company can thrive in today’s environment.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.

Does Your Workplace Have Something in Common with the WWE?

In the 1980’s, many Texas families gathered around the television set to watch the Von Erich Family battle their villainous foe’s across the wrestling ring.  Preceded by patriarch, Fritz; David, Mike, Chris and Kerry would take on the muscle bound maniac jumping from the ropes in usually ended the night with a come from behind victory.  Of course; the night’s festivities were scripted and if one were to look behind the cameras they would see the adversaries enjoying each other’s company in the locker room.

Today’s workplace tension caused by current events is much worse than Saturday Night Wrestling.  Current events, such as political concerns, racial issues, protests and pay inequality, can cause tension and prompt employees to lose focus, get discouraged, act out, or insult or bully co-workers.

When you add a 24-hour news cycle that constantly stirs everyone up and we see public figures from politicians, celebrities to sports stars duke it out daily; there is a recipe for a very distracted and unproductive workforce.  However, there are a few things that an employer can do to keep the collective focus on work and not allow the outside world to cause problems in your place of business.

It is very important to be proactive which can prevent many issues.  If potential problems can be prevented before they begin, you will be ahead of the game.  To do this; you must set a good example.  Avoid discussions of politics and religion.  Model the behavior you want your employees to have.  Avoid discussions and comments, including jokes about controversial current topics.  This helps keep people on task and can avoid possible claims of harassment, discrimination or bullying.

If employees try to engage you in a controversial topic, remind them calmly that such a discussion doesn’t belong in the workplace. Use a light touch, but be clear. Maybe you could say, “There are some valid points on each side, but that’s really not something that we should be focusing on here at work.”

At a regularly scheduled group meeting, take the opportunity to remind employees that the company’s core values include mutual respect.  Basically, remind everyone of the rules.  Discrimination, harassment or retaliation against any protected class, including national origin and religion, are not tolerated.  Political discussions belong outside the workplace.  If anyone is feeling overwhelmed or stressed over current events, remind them of your open-door policy or other process for employees to report concerns.  Suggest to your employees that they respond firmly but calmly if another employee tries to engage them in a heated discussion. Usually a light statement does the trick, like, “Sorry, but I’ve got too much work to do right now to talk about politics.”

Finally, resolve problems quickly.  If you find there is tension caused by discussion of current events among team members, or an employee is acting in an aggressive, disrespectful or threatening way, you must act swiftly and consistently. If you ignore early rumblings of discord, they may grow into something ugly.  The best first step is to talk individually to the parties involved. This is particularly useful if the problem is a low-key interpersonal issue or in its early stages.

You might start by saying something like, “I know there has been some tension in the office lately about what’s going on in the world. Remember we are here to work and move the business forward. Not everyone shares the same beliefs, and it’s OK to disagree. However, heated exchanges alter our productivity, so it’s best to keep talk about politics to your time outside the office.”

Much like wrestling; the workplace can have many different plots.  Sometimes it is good to have a partner that you can tag in to help you navigate these types of issues.  Questco is there to help you inspire your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.  Utilizing Questco’s vast experience, your company can thrive in today’s environment.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.

Keeping Calm and putting your people first

Like you, your employees have access to the news.  Whether they get their information through social media, watch the 6 o’clock news or hear the latest gossip through casual conversations; your employees are forming their opinions have those opinions have spread throughout the workplace.  Today, the latest topics of discussion are race relations and coronavirus concerns.  Tensions, anxiety are just a few of the emotions your employees have which can limit production and moral within your company.

Central to a strong leadership response is communication and decisive action, both to inform employees of changes in policies and to assuage fear and anxiety. Be prompt, accurate, and honest in your communications. Outline the measures you’re taking and why you’re taking them.  Adopt a multi-pronged approach for communication on your HR team. Use electronic methods but adopt physical communication methods as well.  Always be prompt, accurate and honest in your communications.

Make plans and share them with your team.  Understanding that travel may be limited, face-to-face meetings might not happen and an increase in absenteeism can occur; it is important that you have a plan of action.  Knowing how you are going to respond and spread out the responsibility will be crucial to the survival of your business.  Of course, understanding your business’ legal obligations can be tricky in light of these unprecedented events.  Rely on internal HR experts or seek legal advice to answer important questions.  Also consider remote work.  Sometimes a company-wide work from home arrangement is perhaps the best answer to stalling the spread of a virus and even curtailing the strong opinions on race relations.  Safety of your employees is key.

Like in industries that rely on the presence of physical workers such as healthcare, hospitality, retail, and manufacturing, WFM isn’t always possible. In these cases the HR department and business owners have to answer difficult questions about how to protect workers, customers, and the workplace. This may mean operating with a reduced staff level — or even closing during peak absenteeism.  However, sales and marketing roles still rely heavily on face-to-face contact and relationship building. Provide emotional and logistical support for the cultural changes this adjustment will entail.

Remember that the outbreak will pass and race relationships will continue to improve. Your employees and customers remember your businesses’ response and develop long lasting impressions of how you reacted during these times. Resilient, prepared, and people-first leadership will carry you through to the other side.

Questco is there to help you rebuild your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.