Sigred Solutions' partner, Kristi Stepp, gets a chance to speak with Cheryl Czach of Cheryl Czach Coaching about the pros, cons and challenges experienced by people working from home during the COVID-19 crisis.
CHERYL: I'm Cheryl Czach, owner of Cheryl Czach Coaching and Consulting. I'm here today with Kristi Stepp, Partner with Sigred Solutions management recruiting and leadership advisory firm.
KRISTI: Hi Cheryl! Thank you for having me.
CHERYL: My pleasure, Kristi. I'm interested in some of the hot topics that COVID-19 has created in the workplace.
KRISTI: Working from home is at the top of my list. The transition to home was quick for so many people...for some, the transition happened in a matter of days. During the first few weeks, people shared the joy of no rush hour traffic, waking up a bit later and the flexibility of spreading work into the evenings.
CHERYL: As a person who has maintained a home office for years, I would call that the "honeymoon" of work at home.
KRISTI: Yes, and that honeymoon was over quickly. As time went on, I started hearing more challenges. They included stress of balancing work, childcare, and home schooling, the loneliness of those who lived alone and wear of back-to-back video conferences and calls. The reality of knowing -- and losing -- friends and family to COVID-19 added to the layers of stress and grief. People who worked at home before COVID-19 made a choice and had time to adjust. Those who were thrust into working from home recently did not have this luxury. We refer to our home as our refuge. For so many, this working from home has represented a merging of their home and their place of business and they feel a loss of solitude and peace.
CHERYL: So, what do you recommend for people who will continue to work from home?
KRISTI: Set boundaries and communicate them, even if you have already fallen into the habit of working from early morning to late in the evening. Don't go "radio silent." Speak with your direct leader and agree on expectations. This can include times you will not be online during the workday (lunch/exercise) and when you will be closing your workday. Some people are waiting for their boss to take the lead. I say drive communication with your leader, if it is not established. A call on Monday with your boss to agree on expectations for the week is a great kick off and a strategy to keep lines of communication open.
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