Now more than ever, we can focus less on the hourly rate and more on the value of the task.
Driven by unprecedented pandemic conditions, now more than ever, businesses are facing a series of challenges and dependent on nurturing healthy relationships across all levels of their business to align their workforce with the common goal of getting the work done.
While most employee engagement and strategic communication initiatives are focused on communication and software within the office. We are now seeing these same initiatives being applied to setting up an external workforce. When applied to hourly workers having the opportunity to work from home, the hourly thing can become a problem.
On March 11, The World Health Organisation declared that the inevitable trajectory of the virus can be altered by the actions of governments, businesses and individuals. Most importantly, employers who have the power to prioritize social good both now and in the days to come are being called upon to display strong and empathetic leadership through the choices made.
While we applaud employers who are adapting practices to meet these challenging times, we urge all to consider carefully how they support their employees health, well-being and economic stability through the challenges arising during the COVID-19 crisis.
This is not only a priority, but an opportunity to lead with empathy for the benefit of societal good. Today, now more than ever, businesses are in a unique position to change their approach to support employees, economies and society.
When an employee is working remotely, however, it can be difficult to tell how much time is actually spent working. Without supervision, some remote employees might take advantage of their work situation. Time and attendance software can help track employees logging on and off at the end of the day but employers are still left unaware of how much time employees are actually working. Employees will either clock in and clock out each day, or log the amount of time they worked.
For hourly employees, the schedule is at the center of their daily life. Employee schedules determine hourly paychecks, annual leave, day-care planning, sleep schedules, time to get to and back from the workplace, getting along with teammates, job responsibilities and much more. Naturally, this means the schedule is a point of stress for most managers, schedulers, and hourly employees.
Without proper awareness, through experience, of how long things should be taking. It can be very difficult to manage hourly outputs.
Changing to a project based pay system, was the best way we found to keep our client's peace of mind. Tasks are quoted and milestones become the $ factor rather than how long it is taking.
Of course it it all based on approximately how long it will take but ultimately it will be paid by work task leaving us the freedom to priorities and maximise the time spent working for each client. We have found that charging for work done using the task instead of hourly method has put a stop to hours worked being a problem.
To make task oriented projects easier to follow, check out project management software. With project management software, everyone can see what tasks need to be done, which are in progress and who is working on what. We find Trello and Dropbox Paper amazing tools when doing more than just bookkeeping. It's the extra that come with setting up new businesses or when changing from Sole Trader to Company structures that we ensure is being complied with and working to your benefit.
There are loans available and an instant $150,000 asset right off which you can use to help with setting up your employees remotely or outsource just so your can just keep operating. It's up to you and based on your financial situation. We commend those employers leading with empathy in these unprecedented times, making the right decisions for their employees and customers will strengthen them not only now, but into the future.
For those who have sent their employees on leave in a panic and now left with a lot of extra work, we can help take on the extra load or advise with setting up your employees to work remotely in a way that will ensure you are getting your work done.
Consistent communication, whether it occurs in person, over the phone or electronically, is very important and the best way to ensure hourly based virtual offices work properly. Strategic communication around the employee schedule must be a priority as well as ensuring employees have the information they need to do their jobs and plan out their personal schedules.
Improving schedule communication leads to increased productivity, lower staff turnover and eventually to higher profits. This means that developing an employee engagement strategy is key to growth. For the employers with hourly work forces, that process starts with quality schedule communication and for it to be effective, employees must be super disciplined and willing to connect. You must find new ways to communicate information and keep your workers on task.
If you need help with taking realistic steps towards engaging your hourly employees remotely, we can provide insights and best practices. It's what we do everyday!
Start With Training
- hold an video conference based induction to introduce teams to each other, set job expectations and prepare the work environment.
-Training is especially important for remote employees. Just because the employee is located somewhere else, you shouldn’t neglect the training process that is required with working remotely.
- Communication with remote employees can be difficult. Because they aren’t around for face-to-face communication, they might miss out on important information. You and other employees need to know what your remote employees are working on. And if there are problems, you must be able to reach your remote employees quickly. You need to have communication tools that all your employees can use. These can include email, phones, and video conferencing and instant messaging software. - Make sure the employee has all the tools necessary to do their job.
- Ensure there is a virtual system in place for "office chats" and encourage everyone to use video conferencing. Everyone should know what everyone does and how to contact each other, meaning your documentation needs to be accessible.
Now more than ever is the right time to set up those critical processes remotely. Give us a call and take care out there!
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Priscilla Plancke specialises in ensuring smooth workflows through business compliance and documentation and sound office practices. With 25 years of extensive experience working as a temp in private sector and government sectors and the founder of Tradies Bookkeeping .Com
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