Top tips for remote working
We have put some tips together to help manage personal privacy and company data whilst working from home.
Working from home:
Where possible set up a home desk space in the most private area you can
Be aware of what’s in shot behind you for video calls - make sure you are comfortable sharing what’s in the background with whoever you will be video calling with. This may differ across meetings.
If you want more control over what can be seen on video calls, some video apps allow you to blur or add in new backgrounds to cover up room details. You can also use pull up green screen banners to improve background masking (this helps with some older laptop cameras).
Sharing your remote working space with others is not uncommon, so making them aware of any sensitive calls or important meetings prior can allow others to plan their activities around important timings.
Agreeing ground rules with your family or house mates with regards to when it is acceptable to be disturbed can limit any unnecessary interruptions that could compromise your or their privacy.
Using headphones is also a great solution as it protects company discussions, improving the overall experience and reducing disruptions for those around you.
When appropriate, briefly turn off your camera and audio to manage any interruptions or unexpected events in the house. Let everyone know you are dropping off for a short period or whether you are just switching off video. If you are not speaking you can switch off video temporarily without creating any wider distraction.
Ask your employer what, if any, software is being used to monitor your remote work, what data is being collected and how it’s used. This will allow you to plan your activities accordingly.
Embrace working from home but acknowledge that it may require new behaviours and adaptability.
For employers who have their teams working at home:
Acknowledge that home and work environments are meshed, and there is a need to have a more flexible approach to time management and expected meeting culture.
Be transparent on how remote employee performance is both monitored and assessed. With a change in environment from the office, there may be a need to revise company policy surrounding the handling of company data and approved solutions for access and usage.
Are you using any desktop or mobile monitoring software, including the recording of video calls? If so, let your employees know in advance so they can plan their environment and activities accordingly.
Protecting personal employee data, including video data, is essential. Ensure an employee knows why and how their personal details are being used.
Where possible, provide a work computer. If necessary install strong firewalls, encryption for work emails, and better security measures to help protect your business data.
Educate employees around remote working security - including the need for stronger passwords; to make sure that all software is updated regularly, and perhaps even a company VPN to protect the transferring of data between employees, so that employees know how to support the safeguarding of company data.
Ensure employees feel safe, secure and supported when working remotely.
