Company culture undoubtedly feels strange during the wake of COVID-19. As we work remotely, transition back into a “normal” work environment, and/or try to answer questions for our employees, we’re met with many new challenges.
Here’s how you can maintain (or even improve) company culture during COVID-19:
OVER-COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR EMPLOYEES.
As we transition into working from an office again, or if we make remote working more permanent, it’s pertinent to ensure we’re prioritizing communication. Talk with your employees. What are they struggling with? What are they enjoying from this new way of working? What are they needing? Communication is key to determining the right way to move forward.
It’s also important to over-communicate on deadlines, important dates, and any changes that may be made on internal operations. Now more than ever, over-communication is vital for a strong company.
FURTHER PUSH YOUR COMPANY’S PURPOSE.
It can be tough when your employees aren’t used to working together every day for months. But now is the time to ensure you’re pushing your company’s purpose and educating all of your employees on what this means for the company.
Working remotely gives employees more individuality and can result in an employee’s loss of company purpose or mission. It’s never a bad idea to have a meeting to reteach your purpose, mission, and values in order to ensure they’re being lived out no matter what situation your employees may find themselves in.
ENCOURAGE YOUR EMPLOYEES TO STEP AWAY FROM TECHNOLOGY.
Technology is a beautiful thing, especially while working from home. If you’ve been working remotely, you know that video calls, conference calls, online message boards, and more can be so beneficial. But don’t allow this time to force you or your employees into relying too heavily on technology.
Have some time where you and your employees get together physically (while socially distancing, of course) or encourage employees to unplug during certain hours each day. This can help as you transition back into the office so your employees are not relying too heavily on technology.
We’re hopeful that we’ll be able to return to some sort of “normal” soon, but until then, it’s imperative that we take a step back, look at our employees and the way we work, and ensure we’re creating an environment that encourages communication and culture, no matter what situation we find ourselves in.
If you find yourself needing some extra help as you navigate these things, we’re here for you. Reach out to us here to talk about your payroll and people needs.
