Today we would like to discuss the very real dilemma many employers are facing with their teams that have working parents. Being a working parent is always an additional responsibility but it is one most employees accept and face head on. Working parents have fine-tuned the process of juggling work schedules, meetings, and deadlines with their children’s school drop-offs, after school activities, sports games, and practice times. However, as we all know 2020 and COVID-19 have thrown a huge wrench in this previously harmonized dance as the unthinkable reality of distance learning has entered the picture.
Tips to help your business and parents keep bottom-line results
Not only does the closures of schools and the era of distance learning cause stress for the children and parents alike it also has become a tough situation for employers as well. Do you find yourself wondering how this will impact the productivity and results of your employees? If so you are certainly not alone. The fact of the matter is, the closure of schools to a distance learning model is also incredibly disruptive to the workforce and economy leaving many parents wondering how they can possibly be home with the children to teach while simultaneously keeping their job? Here are some tips we have on working together with your team to keep your bottom line results while also assisting your valued employees through this extremely challenging time.
Open communication
Number one, communicate with your working parents. Take a survey of your team to see how many distance learning impacts and host a meeting to talk about how you are trying to put together a plan that will allow the company to support parents through it. Letting your team know that you are aware of the stress and willing to communicate with them about it will help ease the tension and anxiety all parties are having. This pandemic is bringing about many obstacles for businesses and the only way to get through them is to continue to work together and communicate as a team.
Flexible scheduling
Number two, consider if flex schedules could be accommodated. Can you have your employees flex their work to only encompass block of times during core business hours and then flex their other scheduled hours through the day? This option would ensure customer service standards are still met, productivity levels are achieved and it simultaneously allows working parents to have more time throughout the day to spend with their children to teach and support them with distance schooling.
Remote work
Number three, going to a remote work environment. More than likely if you operate an office setting you have already been forced into remote work since the onset of COVID-19. If remote work can be readopted for working parents that could be a great option to allow them to work from home alongside their children and elevate child care issues many of your employees are facing. Granted remote work does not work for every type of business nor every employee but it should be an easy solution to seriously consider if technology allows.
Makeup time
Number four, consider offering makeup time. Makeup time is allowing employees to make up time on their normal scheduled shift at a later date without incurring overtime. Employees may not work more than 11 hours a day or 40 hours in a workweek as a result of making up time that was or will be lost due to a personal obligation. Makeup time can be a great option for working parents who for example, may need to head out for the day to assist their children with a special zoom call for school or a distance learning project.
Covering shifts
Number five, re-evaluate your team’s schedules and talk with the entire team to see if there are fellow co-workers who can assist with picking up shifts your working parents would normally cover. Re-designing schedules may be upfront work but it could go a long way in retaining your workforce and creating loyalty and bond amongst your team members.
Work together and have a plan
In conclusion, there really isn’t a perfect solution for operators to hand over to their employees. The reality is it is going to be a challenge for both the employees and the employer but if you openly communicate and strategize a plan that suitable for maintaining business operations while also showing grace and compassion for your working team members than that we believe will result in the best possible outcome. 2020 and Covid-19 have been full of curveballs and distance learning is just another one thrown your way.
Together we can move forward and FLORES can help navigate the way with you. Give us a call today to further strategize your business. (619) 588-2411