Working from Home
When Covid struck in March 2020 working from home - or WFH as it's now referred to - quickly became the norm for millions of people everywhere.
Freed from the grind of their daily commute, many embraced WFH and came to prefer remote communication to being with their colleagues in the workplace.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the advances in technology which brought us video conferencing and remote learning. Integrated learning systems came into their own during the pandemic, and it is thanks to sophisticated edtech like OneFile that students and apprentices were able to carry on with their training programmes.
Hybrid Working
As lockdowns lifted and people were safe to mix again, some businesses wanted their staff back in the office, nine to five, five days a week.
However, in many companies and in many industry sectors, this hasn't happened. Hybrid working, where employees go into the office for a couple of days and WFH the rest of the week, is now standard practice in a lot of organisations.
This has many advantages as WFH lets staff get on with work projects without the distractions of everyday office life. It also allows them to organise their working day more productively, often saving them up to two hours a day commuting time. And, on the days they do go into work, many employees say they enjoy the change of scene and talking to colleagues and co-workers in person.
Onefile and WFH
To take full advantage of WFH, whether occasionally or most of the time, you'll need the right online tools. One of Onefile's obvious benefits is its flexibility. Employers, training providers and learners are all on the same platform, so you can undertake tasks efficiently and transparently.
Thanks to its many features, you can complete reviews, coordinate plans, share feedback and track progress from wherever you're working.
Effective communication
Although it's widely agreed that hybrid working can offer employers and staff the best of both worlds, it needs to be managed effectively. Confident, capable and experienced 'self-starters' will be fine working by themselves, but it could be a different story for new trainees and apprentices.
Gen Z are digital natives, but learning remotely in your first job or work placement can still be isolating without the right support. To check in often with your learners - and ensure they feel supported when they're not in the office - make the most of video calls.
Most of us are used to meeting like this, and with Onefile, online conferencing has lots of features that maximise its effectiveness and ease of use.
Onefile has a Teams integration as well as tools to record and upload video and audio recordings, so it's easier to hold online work conversations and conduct progress reviews. You can even ask learners to show you their practical skills via video.
To keep your learners motivated and maintain contact with them, always provide regular feedback. Onefile's learning journal lets everyone submit evidence and activities remotely. It updates users about what need's doing and what work has been completed, so everyone's in the loop.
Online training sessions
Even though you see your learners face to face, you may still want to do some or all your training with them online. If so, why not contact our dedicated award-winning support team, or log in to our helpdesk at any time, to access user guides, videos, and top tips? They'll help you get the most out of Onefile.
You can also download our remote working checklist to make sure you've got the right systems, processes, techniques, and safeguarding protocols to make remote working a success.
And don't forget, all employees and trainees, regardless of their age and experience need to be well organised if they're to stay motivated and productive online. Use Onefile to help them schedule calls and remote visits and plan the day's tasks. Ensure they keep to normal office hours too, starting and finishing at their usual work time.
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