Employee Productivity During COVID-19
More and often people, companies, employers and employees have different ways of defining productivity. They would define it as a ratio between an output volume and inputs which measures production efficiently. Examples are Employee performance, personal motivation, labor and capital used in an economy to produce a level of output. Last year, the global pandemic caused a lot of disruption in the workplace. Countries across the world encouraged employers to allow employees to work remotely. This was something that no one anticipated.
Have you thought of what it takes to be productive amidst a pandemic that affects our normal routine? Imagine you were in such a scenario, how would you react and what could you do? My oh my! Today we are going to talk about being productive during COVID-19 while working remotely.
Practical Tips to Enhance Remote Productivity
Following Regular Office Hours
Employees who haven’t worked remotely before should maintain their morning routine, just as they did when working from the office. It’s important to remind ourselves of office etiquette while working virtually.
Individuals, may get the perception that working from home could be done in relaxed clothes like pajamas. Working in a comfortable environment could mean a stress -free day at work.
Establishing Strong Virtual Workplace Infrastructure
Virtual workplaces include the same elements as physical ones: places to collaborate, share ideas and get work done. It’s an uphill task to ensure each employee has the technology and tools to be effective in a virtual environment.
Companies should use internal apps such as chat and messenger apps to video conferencing to equip employees with tools to communicate. This can be done by providing training on how to use them. It would make all the difference between a connected organization and a collection of people working in silos.
Factors one should consider:
(i) A Safe Workspace
Create a specific, quiet home workspace, with comfortable furniture to work from. Keep a clean work surface and ensure that there are no trip hazards nearby. Employees should use a vacant desk for working and a secure chair fitted to the correct height of the computer. It helps prevent any physical injury of employees. It has a greater impact on the productivity level of employees.
(ii) Internet Access and Equipment
People or employees should invest in high speed internet access which is essential for working at home. Testing the speed of your internet is key as it helps with sending reports and feedback to the rest of the team. A reliable internet makes work easier and enjoyable. To be more productive, one needs a laptop with a working web camera, headphones and a microphone. It’s faster and efficient in terms of communication and service delivery.
(iii)Maintaining Regular Virtual Contact with Co-workers
COVID-19 has caused social isolation for people, and it can greatly affect the mental health of employees. Employees should remotely connect regularly to share ideas and information during office hours.
Enforce Practical Tips to Enhance Individual Productivity
(i)Professionalism
Dressing official as you would go to the office sets the pace of working normally just like reporting daily to work. During office meetings, one should be fully present, participate actively and have their videos on to show they are attentive.
(ii)Tasks and Schedule
Creating a daily task list permits one to prioritize on important tasks and remain productive, regardless of unpredictable events which may occur at home. Individuals should avoid scheduling too many conference to give themselves time to catch up and take breaks during lunch hour.
(iii) Boundaries:
Setting boundaries is vital when working from home with those living with you. It enables them know you’re “out of reach” if you’re at your work area or with your headphones on.
(iii)Prioritizing Physical Health
Developing a healthy lifestyle is important because it keeps the mind fresh and able to focus better. Examples of this would be drinking 2 liters of water a day, exercising for 30 minutes eating healthy, and a balanced diet. This helps in being fit regardless of the unusual physical activity in the pandemic and makes you more productive at work.
In a nutshell, this pandemic has challenged society to cope up with an unexpected situation, which may last longer than we expect. Most businesses have adapted by allowing employees to work remotely. For employees, it’s important to learn a few lessons from the article to enhance their productivity during the pandemic. Employees considering applying some of the lessons will not only be well-positioned to maintain their jobs throughout the outbreak, but they’ll be better prepared for future crises, too.
