.png)
The objective of this Article
Understanding work from home concept
Advantages and Disadvantages
How to make the most out of work from home
What is Work from home?
COVID-19 has changed the way we work. People can psychologically accept work from home practice and conduct meetings over the internet through technology such as Zoom. It is becoming more and more common for people to do routine work from home. Technology has made it possible for employees to work and stay in touch with the team, from home. This type of arrangement is often called 'work from home' or 'telecommuting'.
What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of work-from-home?
Advantages:
Improved employee retention
Reduced absenteeism
Savings in energy, office space requirements, maintenance and housekeeping.
Increases number of skilled candidates for employment
Disadvantages:
Communication among team
Work sharing and teamwork
Possible delay in customer service
What are some issues with the work-from-home arrangement?
Providing computer to employees
Ease of accessibility of the internet and proper connectivity
Work scheduling and scope distribution
Working alone
Tracking work progress and efficiency
Attendance
What are some tips for work scheduling (workload) issues?
Work scope, expectations, and deadlines should be discussed between the project manager and the employee.
There are natural breaks in an office environment that will not occur at home.
Ensure a change in body position there might not be a proper study chair and table an employee might be working on.
Plan to conduct weekly progress meetings with the team at Head Office.
Is there agreement on how the workload will be assigned? Is there a need for company (proprietary) information to be stored in a locked room, desk or file cabinet?
What is an appropriate home office environment?
Availability of internet connections
Space or room where it is easy to concentrate away from the television
Support from household members who will not disturb you unnecessarily
What are some tips for the employee who is working at home?
Have a specific location where you will ALWAYS work from.
Have a beginning and end time the same every day. Make it a ritual.
Make a 'to do' list and check your accomplishments at the end of the day.
Maintain contact with the office. Establish a telecall every few hours with your supervisor, or co-workers.
Determine what interruptions are okay and what are not. Tell your friends and family what the ground rules are.
Be honest with yourself.
This policy could also outline:
How and what type of software or equipment is necessary.
What expenses will be reimbursed (Internet access, business telephone calls, and office supplies)?
What hours the employee will be available?
When and how often the employee will check for messages?
Will the primary contact method be by telephone or e-mail?
Listing of work assignments, due dates, work expectations, etc.
What is an example of a checklist for work-from-home policies?
Following points should be covered in compiling a work-from-home policy:
Create a list of what types of jobs or tasks may be done at home. This will be by the department.
Ensure the revised HR policy is communicated.
Have arrangements been made for normal supervision of the employee to continue (including frequency of contact between employee and supervisor, feedback, performance reviews)?
How do you evaluate employees' work from the home arrangement?
Consider the following points:
Progress of individual or team assignments
Availability to receive and return calls/email communications
Customer Service
The ability to attend meetings, even on short notice
Ease of reachability
Some Common Construction telecommute Jobs:
Construction accountant
Construction Quality Inspector
Construction Project Specialist / Manager
Construction Safety Auditor
Construction Estimator (Ref. Constructskills: https://youtu.be/Yp82JruTTX8)
MS Project© Planning and Scheduler (Ref. Constructskills: https://youtu.be/Kl9f6nEk8io)
Construction Training and Skill Developer (Ref. Constructskills: https://constructskills.com/)
Claims Specialist / Analyst
Insurance Appraiser