There are many discussions about remote work strategies, how many days per week an employee can work from home, and when it is required to be in the office. But often, not much focus is placed on the home office environment.
There are some basic requirements for an employee to be effective in a home office. Do they even have the basic setup of a good chair, table, and screens? I have found during my coaching that these basic needs are often not considered. Leaders have told me that they never thought about asking their work-from-home employees about their home office environment and never offered any equipment or specific advice.
To create a successful hybrid workplace, there are a vast amount of details to be aware of that need to be addressed. Many leaders are still only setting very high-level guidelines. Even the CEOs need to dig in and “get their hands dirty” to ensure they fully understand what is required for their company to succeed with a hybrid work strategy.
Home office quality is one of the “details” that must be addressed to ensure a thriving hybrid environment. Many leaders have been slow or reluctant to address this essential part of success with a hybrid workplace. Many feel it’s intrusive to ask about someone’s home situation, but you must address this for the company and the remote worker's well-being. Most employees will feel “cared for” and appreciate this concern and receive any needed help.
Here are five recommended checkpoints for the home office environment.
1. Is the needed space and infrastructure available? Must have a quiet area with a comfortable chair, desk, and the appropriate screen for a given work function.
2. Adequate lighting levels are critical to a productive and comfortable workspace. Humans react very strongly to light, and modern office buildings are designed to provide excellent light conditions. To wake up in the morning, be clear-headed and productive, and have the proper brain functions throughout the day, the home office must have an excellent balance of natural and artificial light.
3. For video calls, must have a stable, high-speed internet connection that delivers high-quality video streams without buffering issues. When you walk into a conference room, you expect to see and hear all meeting participants clearly, and it’s no different on a video call. Control background noise and ensure adequate lighting so everyone can see your face.
4. Temperature control and ventilation are essential to a great work environment. A company could require that the remote worker keep the temperature at the same level as in the office in the 23-25 degree centigrade range. Also, proper ventilation is needed for well-being and productivity.
5. Cyber security policies must be in place. What devices are the remote worker using — often a mix of corporate and private devices. How is data stored? Who has access to those devices? Consider the ability to remote wipe and lock lost or stolen devices.
Every company needs a written remote work policy that employees sign to make it formal and increase the likelihood of success. The policy must also outline the consequences of what happens if employees don’t adhere to it.
If there are any concerns, a manager should consider asking for a virtual home office tour. This could undoubtedly feel intrusive and should be used with high caution.
Individual considerations must always be made. Review, adapt, and adjust is the “name of the game” in the hybrid workplace. And always lead with empathy.
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