In an effort to limit the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), Commute Seattle staff are following the recommendations from King County Public Health to telework. The guidelines ask employees to use flexwork options which include working remotely, shifting schedules to avoid peak commutes and using compressed workweeks. We’re big fans of flexwork as the policies tend to increase productivity and save money for both the commuter and business.
What Is Flexwork?
Flexwork is defined as a holistic suite of workplace policies that allow employees to avoid travel during peak commute hours. Teleworking may not be suitable for your organization but there are other flexwork policies that can help your employees stay safe and healthy.
Flexwork policies are customizable and can include:
- Telework: Allowing employees to skip a commute trip entirely and work remotely, either from home or another location.
- Flexible Scheduling: Employees shift commute trips out of peak commuting hours (aka rush hour) to avoid congestion on transit and roads.
- Compressed Workweek (CWW): Allows employees to work a traditional 35-40-hour week in less than the traditional number of workdays.
- Satellite Office: Establishes a work location that is physically separate from an employer’s main office, shortening or simplifying commute trips for a nearby concentration of employees.
Flexwork policies can work for businesses of all sizes, location and industries. Our staff can help your business develop a custom solution and implement a policy. Schedule a free consultation and we can help develop a customized solution.
Commute Seattle staff will be working remotely for the next three weeks, but this does not mean our work stops or slows down! The following are our tips for maintaining business as usual while employees work remotely:
- Ensure all employees have access to a video conferencing service such as Zoom, GoToMeeting, Webex, Google Hangouts or Skype.
- Include a conference line or video conferencing link in each scheduled meeting.
- Use technology such as Slack, Skype or Zoom to allow employees to easily collaborate and check-in throughout the day.
- Set up call forwarding from your office line to your cell phone.
- Encourage your team members to set a work schedule and use their calendars to indicate the times they plan to be working.
- Keep a regular routine- get dressed every day as if you are going into the office. This helps you get in the mindset for work.
- If you are a manager, refrain from micromanaging your employees while they telework. View this as a time to develop trust and communication with your team.
Do you have a great tip or story about how your workplace is creatively ensuring success while teleworking? Share your telework story with us!
COVID-19 Guidelines
Whether you are able to utilize flexwork or not, there are some steps that you and your business can take to remain healthy and safe. King County Public Health recommends that people at higher risk of severe illness should stay home and away from the office. People at higher risk include:
- Over 60 years of age
- With underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung disease or diabetes
- With weakened immune systems
- Who are pregnant
Read the full recommendations from King County Public Health.
Contact us for more information or view these helpful resources.