SPECIAL SECTION: MANAGING DURING UNCERTAINTY Trends in Remote Work Growth 44% Growth in remote work over the last 5 years 91% * Ensure privacy and security. Working from home can create problems and complications in the security of company data. Protect employees from hacking or data breaches by utilizing a VPN platform if possible. If an organization does not have a VPN, articulate guidelines on how to treat sensitive company and client data. Dictate whether employees can use public WiFi or if they must be on a protected and private network. Work with IT to create processes for tech problems and Growth in remote work over the last 10 years 159% 80% of U.S. workers say they would turn down a job that didn't offer flexible working. Source: FlexJobs Growth in remote work over the last 12 years reporting data breaches or phishing emails. Make the process simple and quick so that employees can report an issue as soon as it happens. * Set expectations. Communicating work-from-home expectations to employees is vital. Employees must know what is expected of them and must be held accountable. Be sure to outline reporting priorities and the progress to achieving them on a daily basis. A work-from-home policy will look different now than it did two months ago because of the emotional toll that COVID-19 has had on all employees. For instance, it's important to include what benefits employees now have access to, including virtual telehealth and employee assistance programs. Beyond communicating what is expected of them and the resources the company is providing, HR should also ensure employees know who to go to for support, including members of the leadership team or the HR department. Employees need to feel supported during these tumultuous times, and an effective work-fromhome policy can achieve that. Sirmara Campbell is chief HR officer for LaSalle Network. MAY 2020 | www.hrotoday.com [23]http://www.mercer.com http://www.mercer.com https://www.hrotoday.com/workforce-management/coronavirus-knowledge-portal/ http://www.hrotoday.com