This section is based on conversations with both IT and HR professionals in HCMC.

1. Security and Connectivity 

The first thing IT professionals will tell you about working from home is:

• Security (or the lack of)

After 10 minutes of preaching on the dangers of security they will switch to their  second sermon which is about:

• Connectivity (which means the speed of the internet to most people)

Both of these are real concerns; the question for me is why oh why were these things not addressed a long time ago? If you want to stay friends with your IT department, don’t ask about this.

Obviously the solution is risk assessment; as this often generations strong emotions a possible third party could give a more balanced opinion.

 2. Increase Frequency of Communication

Call you team to see how they are and to offer support. Continue to hold virtual daily, or weekly meetings. I can recommend “zoom” as it is user friendly.  

3. Police Officer Tendencies

Don’t ask those working from home to keep their web camera on, unless you want to send a message of “we don’t trust you”.

4. Use your company values to guide the team

This is an excellent opportunity for HR to reinforce the company values by using the values to guide those working at home on how to deal with the situation. This will require composing examples of “using the values to guide you when working from home.      

5. Stress Management and Communication Guidance

If you are fortunate enough to have an agile L&D team, some guidance via a webnair to managers on how to manage / communicate to those working at home is strongly recommended, plus training on stress management for all.