Our world as we know it is changing dramatically each day with the spread of COVID-19. Like many of us, you may have been told to work from home, getting prepared to do so, or you're currently in self-isolation.
If this is the case, it's important that you're aware of your own, your recruitment/labour hire company and client company's obligations, policies and processes. In such an uncertain and ever-changing environment, it's easy to let things slip and forget to follow correct procedures that could cause issues further down the track.
To help you prepare, here are the seven things you need to think about:
Has all paperwork been filled out and the correct parties notified that you are now or are planning to work remotely? At Paxus, all our contractors are required to complete a Working Remotely Form and return this to their Account Manager or nominated Contractor Care Consultant as soon as possible.
Does your client company have any sort of working remote policy? If so, you will be required to follow this. If this hasn't been communicated to you yet, check with your main contact at your recruitment / labour hire company if there is one you need to follow.
Before taking any equipment home, it's important to check first what devices you can take in order to work remotely including laptops, monitors and so forth. Additionally, if you are taking any equipment home ensure that you are following the correct procedure, such as formally registering equipment.
If you need to personally purchase anything as a result of working remotely; remember this is all tax deductible.
Ask your line manager if any project timelines or expectations have changed, i.e. are you still expected to hit certain KPIs despite the current situation or have the deadlines been pushed out?
If there are any impediments that will prevent you from performing some or all your duties remotely, you'll need to contact the client company and your main contact at your recruitment / labour hire company as soon as possible. The client company and your recruiter may be able to negotiate alternative arrangements.
Will you need to perform alternative duties? For many companies, priorities have changed dramatically. You may be expected to reprioritise your workload and focus your energy on something completely different to what you were originally hired to do. It's important to be flexible and responsive in this situation. Plus, don't forget to communicate any changes in your role to your main contact at your recruitment / labour hire agency.
We appreciate that these are trying and stressful times for everyone. However, it's still important to be aware and follow your recruitment /l abour hire agency and client company's processes and policies now to avoid any additional stress later.