Remote work & business continuity

Peter du ToitI'm the founder of FutureWork IQ where I spend my time assisting businesses to design digital workplaces or “offices in the cloud.” These environments enable companies to allow flexible and remote working for their teams. I also teach the digital literacy, fluency, communication and collaboration skills needed to work in these modern technology-rich workplaces.

As the South African economy opens up we now know what is required from a health and safety perspective to keep a workplace safe.

It’s important to remember that any confined, indoor space where groups of people congregate is a high risk environment and that safety in these environments is 100% dependent on how carefully the protocols are followed around sanitized surfaces, physical distancing, hand hygiene and the wearing of masks. (For example see: What settings have been linked to SARS-CoV-2 transmission clusters?)

As workplaces open up there will be outbreaks, it’s inevitable. This will necessitate the closure of the workplace and the quarantining of individuals.

We now also know that Hotspot areas are to experience additional movement restrictions, including strict stay-at-home orders if necessary.

My recommendation is, is in the light of all this, that leadership teams seriously consider remote working for everyone who can. This way you will ensure your continuity despite the changing restrictions and regulations as the pandemic unfolds.

(Do reach out if you are experiencing any challenges with your current remote work arrangements.)