Work from home here to stay

THE covid19 pandemic has made work from home the new normal for many individual and companies.

Calix Inc executive vice-president (global operations) Michael Weening expressed this opinion during a virtual meeting hosted by CANTO on Thursday.

Weening said while some people still refuse to accept that covid19 has changed the world, the reality is that it has. He explained that because of the virus, the practice of some employees working from home is here to stay.

In this regard, Weening said it is important for companies to ensure that all of its employees, whether working in their offices or from their homes, "feel connected to the broader organisation."

He disclosed that top officials of Calix hold 90 minute daily virtual meetings with all employees to ensure they healthy and address any concerns that they have. Weening said isolation poses a very real threat to the mental health of employees who are working from home and can lead to depression.

He said companies can assist these employees in several ways Weening said these could include investing in a new desk or computer for their stay at home workers to ensuring the have someone in the company to talk to about their problems.

With events moving from physical to virtual, Weening said companies need to consider ways to keep their clients actively engaged and provide them with "a higher level of service." He also said to navigate the new normal, companies and individuals need to switch off social media.

"Don't focus on the conspiracy theories and the nonsense on Facebook."

Weening also said for managers to rely on gut instincts may not be helpful because "your gut is not always right." Instead of relying on gut instincts or social media, Weening said, "Data must be your guide."

He also said more people working from home and activities taking place more in the virtual realm could provide opportunities for broadband providers. Weening added this can open doors for conversations between governments and these companies to provide better service.