Inspiring Productivity and Unity Among Your Remote Workers

Now more than ever, our world is in a minute-by-minute state of change for which we do not see a return to steady state in the foreseeable future. So how do we push forward and create an environment of “business as almost usual?”

As we have been adapting to this new norm, especially as a healthcare staffing company, Conexus has had to quickly respond to the current situation while continuing to provide vital staffing services and support, guidance and gratitude to both our internal office teams and our external healthcare staff. We’ve used our core values as our guiding principles on how to do this. Below we have shared 4 areas  we have focused on that may be helpful for you and your team:

1. Plan ahead. Meet with your teams. Discuss what resources will be necessary to carry out their role outside of the office longer-term. Considerations include people, materials and technology.  What will be the role and channel for communication without seeing each other daily? These areas are outlined in more detail below.

Also plan daily. Team members need to be coached on how to work remote if they had not previously done so. This includes not only how to set up safe and productive areas to work, but how to conduct their work. The worker may be used to working more closely in teams.  In the remote situation, they will need to be more proactive vs. reactive in their work. Also, not only are they working remote, but other companies, suppliers or normal resources (ex: nursing boards, background checks) are also remote and coordination with them needs to occur.

2. Communicate. Consider communication with not only your internal employees, but external employees, suppliers and providers of services that support your business and your building management. Develop a plan for what the mode of communication will be, along with the frequency.  More frequent communication is recommended. Set up 1:1s with your reporting team members.  Offer video time for external staff.  Send frequent communication via email, calls and maybe even small gifts of gratitude to the external employees. Gather emergency contact information as well.

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3. Leverage technology. Ensure modes for technology are set up for consistent communication. This will include Zoom, Teams, Skype-type methods. Put into place a policy on meeting norms to support how to professionally attend these calls.  Additionally, set up the ability and bandwidth for all staff to VPN into the server for access, or establish Cloud-based options. Include your IT team in your plan.

4. Be aware and supportive of wellness/mental health. Teams even by its name means that individuals are used to working with other people. With teams now being virtual vs .in person, be creative. Think of ways to engage, which include the social components of a workplace. Allow team members to walk away from their computers and work. Ideas may include video walks together outside, online book clubs and other creative ways for team members to both connect and release from the stress of the world.

This includes only a few ideas. Overall, embrace a mindset of being flexible, adapting to change, allowing for innovative solutions and human understanding.  Without our teams, we are not successful.  Continue to provide the level of care and service as you would inside the four walls of a physical office space.

MORE: Preparing your healthcare talent during an outbreak

Cathy Vollmer

Cathy Vollmer
A registered nurse, Cathy Vollmer is VP of operations at Conexus Medstaff.

Cathy Vollmer

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