Ready for some positive news about the coronavirus? Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, says that social distancing is working, and projections show that the peak may arrive sooner than anticipated, with death rates in the U.S. possibly as much as 75% lower than early predictions indicated.
Social distancing is working so well that it’s probably going to need to continue for the foreseeable future. Experts agree that the disease itself is not going away anytime soon, and quarantine procedures will need to remain in place until hospitals are able to manage patients. That means we should brace ourselves for another few weeks of working from home.
Katalyst is aware of the challenges this presents, and our partner SAP is pleased to offer valuable solutions to monitor employee health and well-being, manage supply chains, and streamline customer communication, free of charge.
“Companies and employees were forced to adapt on the fly,” says Langbert Walker, ERP Leader at Katalyst Technology. “Many organizations had to move from working 100% on-site to 100% off-site.” And with schools and daycare centers closed, many parents have had to adjust to their younger, perhaps more demanding coworkers. While the circumstances have made the transition a bit jarring, working from home is likely to increase even after the quarantine, and these resources can smooth the process for employers, workers, and customers.
At the center of these offerings is Qualtrics Remote Work Pulse, which gives employees the resources they need for successful remote work. Users begin the process by answering a simple “pulse” question about their current outlook. This allows managers to keep track of how employees are feeling emotionally—many of whom are understandably overwhelmed in these present circumstances. The employees also can highlight any needs or concerns they have regarding their ability to complete their work. Employers can use this feedback to boost engagement and outreach.
Additional free services include a version of Pulse designed explicitly for healthcare workers, educators, customers, and supply chain managers. There are also resources in which users can input symptoms as a preliminary COVID-19 screening. The Qualtrics website includes a suggested timeline on how to begin implementing these solutions.
Keeping an eye on employee morale and needs will lead to higher satisfaction and productivity—and ultimately will guide workers, managers, and customers alike to achieve success in difficult times and beyond.
