The Challenge
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic offices were closed and staff quickly moved to work from home as per government direction.
Many staff, particularly those in Child & Youth Mental Health, had never used electronic platforms such as videoconferencing and telephone systems through the computer. Providing services online to clients was also new for many staff and for clients.
It was important to ensure that staff working from home had the tools and information they required to be successful in their transition from an office environment to a virtual working at home environment.
The Solution
- Create a user-friendly guide including all the necessary tools and resources to enable employees to work from home efficiently.
- Among the resources included in the guide are easy to follow instructions on how to utilize common functions of the various software and electronic tools used while working at home such as videoconferencing platforms, general computer tips, email, computerized telephone system, electronic file sharing, etc.
- To compliment the guide, short videoconference sessions were offered to staff with a knowledge expert available to provide a walk-through of each resource and answer any questions that staff may have.
The Process
- Identify the resources and information that staff require in order to work from home.
- Assign knowledge experts to develop content for the guide with consultation from frontline users to ensure the need has been met.
- Provide education (written and via videoconference) to staff on how to access and use the guide.
- Develop and implement a process for staff to request additional information to be added to the guide.
- Develop and implement process for the ongoing maintenance of the guide.
Contact us
For more information on Supporting Staff to Work from Home, contact Andrea Roberts aroberts@handstfhn.ca
