b'BUSINESS CONTINUITY BEST PRACTICESalso retain the ability to manage that technologyTHE SEWER AND WATERMAIN INDUSTRY IS via your centralized IT administrative team. This rule of thumb applies not only to hardwaresuch as laptops, desktops, or cell phonesbut alsoWORKING TO ATTRACT NEW EMPLOYEES to the software those devices use. Software is constantly evolving, so having it centralized willBY HIGHLIGHTING THE SECTOR AS A allow your IT team to keep it updated. Licensing and installing software on remote workers individual computers may make sense in someVIABLE AND WELL-PAYING CAREER cases, but usually it is best to avoid sequestering key data on individual workstationsespecially when they spend most of their time outside yourWITH OPPORTUNITIES AT EVERY LEVEL. company network.A CHALLENGE IS TO ATTRACT NEW It is important, then, to think through remote desktop and terminal server options that allowEMPLOYEES ONSITE, AND ALSO WITHIN remote employees to access key data and applica-tions in a controlled environment. Tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams go beyond simpleTHE ADMINISTRATIVE AND CONSULTING chat functionalities to facilitate meaningful communication between individuals and teams and protect the privacy of the employee andCOMPONENTS OF YOUR COMPANY securing calls within the company. With these tools, remote workers can call from a company number instead of a personal home or mobile number. And business-grade versions of productsEnsure employees are made like Dropbox and Google Drive offer services thataware of and encouraged work to safeguard your data and ensure that itto visit your companys remains under your control. virtual coffee machine/employee space.Ensure you providePrior to the pandemic, Maestro adequate and ongoinghad a dedicated Facebook page IT support to yourfor employees that was visited a teleworkers. little bit, says Meunier. As the What happens when remotecompany moved to telework for all workers computers crash?employees, including management, the Facebook page Or their email goes down?became a go-to page that many employees began to use Or a laptop breaks down?almost daily. Meunier says the page, although not perfect, The number one thingfunctions as a sort of replacement for the coffee machine, you should aim for is thein essence a virtual coffee machine that allows employees ability to effectively resolve IT issues remotely.and management to communicate about non-business Technology today allows IT support teams toissues, including funny items that can lighten their day. access users workstations and resolve issues as if they were sitting in front of the computerLooking ahead to post-pandemic times, if a portion themselves. The IT support tech will talk the userof your employees continues to work at home full-time through the possible issues and gather the infor- or part-time and/or coming into the office only for mation they need to address the problem. Ideally,meetings, the Facebook page or any other dedicated they will be able to resolve issues in the first call. online space for employees is critically important for maintaining a team environment.Ensure your employees have clearly definedConfidence and trustmetrics to measureIf your company chooses to offer what type of, and howa telework option, you must much, work has beenhave confidence and trust that completed. employees will complete the work Your Employee Manualto the best of their ability, and that should mandate that theyou provide them with the tools employees camera isto do so.turned on during work hours. Employees and management shouldThis means providing, as you would understand and agree on what is required of thewith any initiative, an internal mechanism through which employee and measurements put in place so thatemployees can offer feedback. That way, the teleworking work can be assessed as it would be if the employeeoption can be constantly improved, and continue to were working in the office. provide benefit to your employees and your company. 28 H 2 OSWCASpring 2020'