{"id":30592,"date":"2021-10-13T18:38:18","date_gmt":"2021-10-13T17:38:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.peopleperhour.com\/discover\/?post_type=guides&p=30592"},"modified":"2021-10-13T18:38:19","modified_gmt":"2021-10-13T17:38:19","slug":"how-does-hr-function-from-home","status":"publish","type":"guides","link":"https:\/\/www.peopleperhour.com\/discover\/guides\/how-does-hr-function-from-home\/","title":{"rendered":"How does HR Function from home in the \u201cNew Normal\u201d?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s safe to say that things have changed an awful lot in recent times. With the coronavirus pandemic ushering in ubiquitous whisperings of a \u201cnew normal<\/a>\u201d across the workplace arena, we\u2019ve all had to adapt and pivot in some way or other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the concept of remote working has been around for a while, it\u2019s now becoming a long-term reality for many. For many industries that has been challenging, though looking at the traditional office, desk-based job, many have found that they have been able to work well remotely. There have also been some encouraging stats around productivity<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While many office-based roles have proven themselves to adapt to remote working relatively quickly, it hasn\u2019t been the same for everyone, particularly in people-focused roles that require face to face interaction such as HR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether it\u2019s organising events, scheduling regular touch point meetings, addressing difficult workplace issues or generally keeping the open line of communications open, HR teams have likely found the sudden shift to remote working more difficult than most. And while there are plenty of HR methods and tools out there to enable this from a remote environment, it\u2019s never quite the same as speaking to someone face to face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, we\u2019ve pulled together some key points and tactics for HR specialists, be it freelance HR consultants<\/a> or full timers, to keep on supporting your teams remotely and throughout these topsy-turvy times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Set the bar over comms<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communication in business is everything. This has been particularly accentuated in the current climate of remote working where it can be easy to feel distant from your teams and colleagues. While it ultimately lies with managers and team leaders to set the standard over how comms are conducted with their individual teams, HR can certainly provide some direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where possible, HR teams should encourage a culture of quick response time and freedom of communication, using tools such as Slack to keep everyone in the loop. While tools such as Slack have long been around prior to the remote working drive, encouraging a hub that fosters employee engagement with a constant flow and drive of conversation (serious or otherwise!) can help people feel like they\u2019re still close in still in the loop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outside of instant messaging, HR professionals should also encourage managers and team leaders to dedicate their time to regular catch-ups with their teams and on an individual basis to check in with their projects and ensure they\u2019re all well and satisfied enough to be able to perform their work efficiently (more on this a little later).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other tips around remote working HR communication protocol involve:<\/p>\n\n\n\n