The Remote Work Policy Tool
Build a badass remote work policy that virtually works for everyone.
FORMAT
Google Doc
TIME TO IMPLEMENT
2 hours
BEST FOR
Business owners (and employees!) seeking clear boundaries, expectations, and performance.
“Efficiency is doing things right. Effectiveness is doing the right things.”
As more and more of the workforce demand to spend less time in the company office and more time in their home office, questions are bound to come up regarding what is acceptable and what isn’t. And we’re not just talking employee behavior.
Remote work policies outline the rules and identify the parameters for company support, employee scheduling, approval, and other stipulations. They can also define the performance expectations—and protections—for everyone involved.
By creating a clear and concise document that everyone can refer to at any time—you and your team can spend more time getting stuff done, instead of wasting time wondering exactly how (or if!) remote work will work at your business.
What it does
The Remote Work Policy Tool (available for free here) helps you clarify your expectations, communicate the rights and responsibilities of both parties, limit your liabilities, and set the tone for performance.
How to put the Remote Work Policy to (actual) work
To get started—ask yourself these four key questions:
What will it cover? Your badass remote work policy should be well thought out and worded in a way that alleviates any concerns. It is not limited to but can include:
Coverage
Expectations
Preferred technology apps
Cloud storage policies
Asynchronous communication practices
Support and Benefits
Virtual company norms/cultural notes.
What data should inform it? Doing your research first can help you gather key information about what matters most to your team. Creating a simple survey is a great way to get them to weigh in on everything including concerns about culture, additional support needed, and how often they work outside of the office.
Who does this policy affect and in what ways? Decide if there are any limitations on who can participate. Think about any additional tools they might need. Establish parameters around accountability, communication, and meetings.
How is it working and can it be improved? The way we work is constantly evolving—your remote work policy should too. Be sure to schedule time to evaluate how things are working, get feedback from the team, and adjust accordingly at least on an annual basis.
Why Cohort Members love it
“It takes the guesswork out of remote work.”
At first glance, working remotely seems simple enough, but without proper guardrails, it is easy for things to spin out of control. For businesses looking to create their “new normal” in a pandemic world—the Remote Work Policy tool helps categorize key areas of importance for all involved.“It thought of things I didn’t.”
Remote work provides plenty of flexibility and opportunities, but with that also comes a lot of scenarios that you might not have thought of or be prepared for. Luckily, we’ve thought of every angle, so that you won’t have to, with pointed questions for you to answer, including how to craft your communication as it pertains to your brand.“It helped me clearly explain everything in one place.”
The best part of this tool is that it is ready to distribute to everyone on your team once it is complete. And because they’ve had a say in what went into it, it should be easy to implement and get everyone on board.
Note: This is a kickstart tool. Make sure any work policies and procedures are reviewed by your legal team to ensure you’ve approached the necessary angles to protect your business.
