How to help your team members create a new routine when working from home

Share this Post

In light of the current global focus on remote working, this is looking like it’s going to be the ‘new normal,’ at least for the foreseeable future. This means that you as the practice owner will need to help your team work from home so that they can work just as effectively as they would in the office. Here is how you can help your team members create their own working-from-home-routine that works best for them (and for you too).

Why is this necessary?

As the practice owner, it is your responsibility to ensure the well-being of your staff. If at the office, you’d make sure that they have the appropriate equipment and software, even down to the right environment, to make sure that everyone is as comfortable and productive as possible. When put like that, it’s easy to see that the same is expected when you have a remote team (it’s just the way you do that will be quite different!).

Working from home is a whole new ball game for people who haven’t done it before. It’s unfamiliar and can be distracting. With the uncertainty of the Coronavirus pandemic and having the whole family home whilst trying to work too, it is that much harder. So why is it necessary for you to help your team work from home?

Helping your team members create a new routine:

  • Provides them with structure and a sense of control.
  • Gives them a sense of purpose and direction.
  • Reduces stress and anxiety, as well as feelings of helplessness.
  • Limits procrastination and increases efficiency.
  • Increases motivation and productivity.
  • Helps them create positive habits to carry them through difficult times.

By helping your team with their daily routine, you’re investing time in them and therefore the future of your practice. This is essential to make it through this difficult time with as few battle wounds as possible, so here is how to do it.

2 ways to help your team work from home

Hiring the wrong people is the biggest cause of high turnover. Most business owners recruit based on skills and qualifications only but recruitment should be much more than that. You should hire people based on their behavioral and cultural fit as well.

1.) Introduce the 4 steps to creating a daily routine

These 4 steps are what you need to introduce to your team to help them create a happier and healthier daily routine that makes them more productive.

Step 1 - create the core of your routine (covering the main 4 bases)

Explain to your team members that the core of their routine should be the minimum that they need to get done every day. It should also include the foundations of health (e.g. good quality sleep, healthy food, and exercise) as well as things that make them happy.

Get them to write down what their day always has to include. For example:

  • Work – they need to think about where will be best to work and what their hours will be.
  • Family – they need to decide how and when they will spend quality time with their family.
  • Food – they need to plan to eat healthily and set mealtimes with the family.
  • Self-care – they need to think about how they will make time for themselves when they will exercise, what time they will wake up, etc.

Step 2 - discuss your daily routine with your spouse or family

Remind them to discuss their ideal daily structure with their spouse or family. What works for them, may not work for their children for example, so it’s important for everyone to agree on when they will be working and when they will be spending quality time with them.

It’s also important here to emphasise that you know it’s difficult for everyone juggling work and family life and that’s okay. If everyone has their routine and shares it with the team, then everyone has the right expectations and can work together better.

Step 3 - trial and adjust your new routine

One of the best ways to help your team work from home is to be patient and empathetic while they find their groove. Creating a solid routine while working from home is all well and good, but like most things in life, the hardest part is actually doing it consistently.

Show your team that you are understanding of their situation and allow them to adjust their routine to find what works best for them. For example, it could be working very early in the morning so that they can take care of their children in the day or vice versa. To help them establish positive habits, you could send out a tips sheet suggesting what makes a successful remote working routine. Tips such as:

  • How to create a successful morning routine
  • Every day should start with getting washed and dressed
  • Set and stick to your office hours
  • Review your performance and the end of each day and plan for tomorrow
  • Ring or video call colleagues and clients rather than just emailing
  • Take regular breaks and move around often
  • Explore ways to become more efficient
  • Reward yourself when you’ve ticked off difficult tasks

Step 4 - be consistent but open to change

Last but not least, it’s really useful for your team if you remind them that things are constantly changing at the moment so they will need to be willing to adapt. First and foremost, encourage them to focus on consistency as the structure will be great for their wellbeing and will help them to create positive habits. However, especially in the current situation, they need to develop a growth mindset and prepare to be flexible.

2.) Stay connected and check in with them regularly

This next point is not directly about helping your team members create a new daily routine, but rather it is focused on you monitoring their wellbeing. It’s essential for you to know how your team is coping throughout this time so that you can help them get through it, so stay connected with them and check in regularly. Here are some ways that you can do this:

Use online communication tools

Online communication tools like Slack and Google Hangouts are among the best options. Not only do they help you maintain a productive means of work communication, but they also open up a direct channel for personal chit-chat, emojis, and gifs that make everyone feel a part of the team.

Maintain a regular meeting schedule

Once you’ve helped your team members create a new remote working routine, you can help them maintain this by holding regularly scheduled virtual team meetings. This adds that extra layer of structure when working from home and it also does wonders for group productivity. Why? Because discussing team goals and which tasks are assigned to who helps everyone take ownership of their work and it holds them accountable.

Find new ways to collaborate

While communication and productivity are essential to success, how your team collaborates is the core ingredient for sustainable growth. Think of the best ways that your team can collaborate and share ideas while working from home and implement them. It has been shown that the best collaboration is born from interpersonal connections so try to fill this gap. While Slack and Zoom may be your primary means of work communication, try to introduce interest-based Slack channels for employees who share common interests. 

Be responsive and pick up the phone

To help your team work from home, make sure that you practice what you preach and that you’re responsive to their needs. Some people will struggle more than others during this time so you need to make sure that you’re giving individuals the right type of support and reassurance. As many are craving social interaction, try to pick up the phone regularly just to check in with your team. You can tell a lot more about how they really are from a phone call so it’s good practice to listen and make any necessary changes.

Illuminate your way with Glow Accounts

At Glow Accounts, we understand that success in business is not one-size-fits-all. That’s why we are dedicated to lighting up your path with bespoke financial solutions tailored to your unique needs. Here’s how we can help your business thrive in Crowborough and beyond:

Tailored Financial Strategies

Every business has its vision. At Glow Accounts, we create customised financial strategies that align with your specific goals and aspirations, ensuring you’re on the fastest route to success and realising your vision.

Expert Guidance

Navigate the complexities of tax optimisation, budgeting, and financial planning. Our expert team provides the advice and support you need to make informed decisions, propelling your business forward.

Growth Acceleration

Ready to take your business to new heights? We have the tools and expertise to help you capitalize on growth opportunities, optimize cash flow, and eliminate obstacles in your path. With Glow Accounts, the sky’s the limit!

Hassle-Free Accounting

Bid farewell to the stress of bookkeeping and financial management. Our efficient, reliable accounting solutions streamline your processes, freeing up your time to focus on what you do best—growing your business.

Contact Glow Accounts Today!

Don’t wait to start your journey to greater business success. Contact Glow Accounts today to discover how we can illuminate your path to greatness. Let’s achieve brilliance together!

More To Explore

Avoiding Liquidation: Steps to Financial Resilience for UK Businesses
Cash Flow

Voluntary Liquidations ‘Out of Control’ as UK Businesses Face Tough Trading Conditions

The UK business landscape has been under increasing pressure over the past decade, with many companies choosing to enter voluntary liquidation rather than face compulsory liquidation or winding-up petitions. The sharp rise in voluntary liquidations reflects how businesses are grappling with tough trading conditions, economic uncertainty, and unforeseen external factors. A recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Insolvency Service by automation platform Quadient

Self Assessment Registration: Key Tips Before HMRC’s 5 October Deadline
Sole Trader

Self Assessment: Your Guide to Meeting the 5 October Deadline

The 5 October deadline for registering for Self Assessment with HMRC is fast approaching. For individuals who have not yet submitted a tax return before, registering for Self Assessment is essential to avoid penalties and ensure compliance. In this article, we explain the process of registering for Self Assessment, debunk common myths, and provide important tips to make the process easier. Who Needs to Register