Things To Do For Work-From-Home Parents Survive Each Day
Work-from-home alone is already stressful enough. But what if it's topped with the kids' online classes? If you're not a parent, you probably don't know that parents are affected by online classes more than you realize.
Often, we're so focused on how students are coping with remote learning. We don't notice right away that the setup has a significant impact on parents, too, especially those that work from home.
And if that parent is an online class teacher, then their struggles should be heard even more. Though online schools are nothing new, it's especially more challenging today, with several educational institutions adopting it for the first time.
That said, let's find out what employers can do to help their work-from-home employees stay sane during this pandemic.
Know The Challenges of Their Job
Heather Hopson, the creator of "Single Mom Defined," says that people still expect moms to function like it's business as usual during the pandemic. Indeed, given that women spend more time caring for children and doing housework than men, society tends to hold mothers to a certain standard. They expect them to keep a level head even during these trying times.
Of course, being parents, you ought to be strong for your children, who might be getting confused about the pandemic. But it's impossible to stay composed at all times, which employers and the society should understand.
If you're an administrator or chancellor of a school, check in with your teachers. Ask them about the challenges in their jobs. If you're unable to talk to them directly, use a reliable employee experience solution. It is a survey where you can ask questions that will yield specific answers.
You'll likely discover that online class teachers share common challenges, which include passive students, complicated instructional strategy, connecting with students, and all the techie stuff. Since many students are also experiencing remote learning for the first time, their stress and discomfort can be absorbed by their teachers. And because they're at home, they're surrounded by a myriad of distractions.
Allow Flexible Schedules
That may be impossible for online teachers, so if you manage a different business, take advantage of being allowed to do this. Consider that it isn't only work-from-home parents that are juggling multiple duties at once, but also anyone. People who care for an elderly, pets, or a sick family member will benefit from a flexible work schedule, too.
Check in with your employees about the optimal times to assign tasks or schedule meetings. What may happen is that each employee will have customized work hours, but what's more important is ending the day productive, and not merely following a fixed schedule.
Give Them Reassurance
It's downright unrealistic to expect your work-from-home employees to give their 100% every day. If they can't even watch over their kids without going nuts, then they aren't likely to perform spectacularly at work as well. Simply put, don't expect them to work at their standard capacity, at least until this pandemic is finally beaten.
They're going to have productivity problems during this time, and that's normal. That's why HR experts advise employers to allow flexible work schedules. It's the best and only way to attain the productivity level you're aiming for.
Allow your employees to offer you options instead of just forcing them to make difficult choices. Control is what they need the most during this difficult time, and you can do that by letting them set the pace of their work. Consider that compassion is probably the most important quality in employers today. If you put that before your profits, you'll find yourself with loyal and satisfied employees.