Well! COVID-19 sure has been a challenge. But challenges have a great way of bringing about innovation. Something that seemed unimaginable before – like sending your entire workforce home to work at their dining room table – now seems like a real and practical idea.

For us at Appoint, the practice was really revealing. Our team pulled together and made the best of a tricky situation. We figured out ways to make it work. We held meetings via Teams – not bad at all, not bad at all! We even had coffee catchups, exercised, and held our Friday arvo drinks via Teams! Another cool discovery was the ‘bells and whistles’ featured in our software systems that we weren’t using but are now.

Even though sending our very close, very ‘together’ team home to work seemed like a huge mountain to climb, we discovered it could be productive and harmonious. Everyone made a fantastic effort to overcome any challenges and we all made sure to keep the personal touch alive.

Many businesses around the world are now trialling ongoing work-from-home for at least part of their workforce, even as the coronavirus pandemic dwindles.

So, what about new hires working from home?

How do you successfully onboard new hires and maintain engagement as working from home becomes the new norm?

Make them feel welcome – Prior to their start date, post or deliver a welcome pack so they can familiarise themselves with their co-workers, organisational culture and weekly routines. Add photos of colleagues with names and small descriptions, list weekly routines like morning meeting times and drop in a couple of branded marketing materials like a pen or a notepad.

Guide their home workspace – Set up a Zoom meeting so you can take a look at their home workstation. Check that the chair and desk are ergonomically sound, power points are close by to avoid tripping over cords and there is plenty of light. There also has to be a professional-looking spot for Zoom catchups with clients.

Encourage regular catchups – Arrange for the new hire to have coffee catchups individually with each team member throughout the first few weeks to get to know who they’re working with and so they don’t feel isolated.

Assign a buddy – If they have any questions throughout the workday, they can feel comfortable reaching out to their buddy.

Warm welcome – On their first day, have everyone hold up welcome signs for the new employee, whether over a group video call or during an office visit. It’ll help break the ice and put them at ease.

Bonus work-from-home benefit!

One of the brilliant things about transitioning part of your workforce to work from home is that you can take on new-hire rock stars that wouldn’t otherwise be available to you because they live too far away.

If 2020 has taught us anything it’s that adaptability and flexibility are super important! Embracing work-from-home in your business could be the way forward for you … pandemic or no pandemic.