The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause unprecedented disruptions to economies and labor markets severely. Governments worldwide have implemented measures ranging from physical distancing, restrictions on the freedom of movement, closure of non-essential companies, and even lockdown of entire cities in different parts of the world.

 

In this new environment, employers have had to adapt and make contingency plans to continue providing their services and products whilst adhering to the measures put in place to safeguard themselves from the COVID-19 pandemic. Working from-home (WFH) models as alternative working arrangements to what many employees were previously accustomed to are among the work models that employers have been exploring in their quest to continue providing their services and products to their target audience.

 

First, what is working from home?
WFH refers to a working arrangement that fulfills the essential responsibilities of their job while remaining at home Information and communications technology (ICT). It’s a work arrangement that requires shared responsibility and commitment by both employers and employees in ensuring business continuity and employment.

 

Here are a couple of ways that WFH models handle COVID-19 telecommunication challenges in their quest to continue providing their services and products to their target markets.

 

Ensuring Resilient Connectivity 24/7
Companies are partnering with premium Internet Service providers in areas where their employees reside and organizing their allocation of spectrum resources for round-the-clock internet connections to their home office setups due to the increased data traffic that has affected internet speeds globally.

 

Access to Cloud Computing Resources
As WFH models become the new norm, video conferencing, and SaaS applications have been on a steady rise. Businesses have been keen to embrace this new cloud-based working model and have, therefore, increased their investments in cloud computing resources.

 

Embracing Online Modes of Payments
Payments with pins and chips have become the standard form of payment for services and products during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic period. Many employers who previously paid their employees with hard cash have been forced to implement online payment modes for these employees and repurpose how their work can be done or facilitated through an online platform.

 

Upgrading of WFH Security Systems
As many employees continue to work remotely and access their company data through cloud computing resources, there has been a noticeable increase in cyber-attacks and unauthorized entries into company computer systems and networks. To mitigate or prevent this cyber attack, many companies have upgraded their computer network systems and infrastructure as a whole.

 

Analyze Individual Employee’s segment’s value and tailor Solutions
Many companies partner with Technology companies to help them understand their employee’s behavior using technologies like AI/ML and data analytics. Armed with these deep insights (e.g. employee browsing behavior, attention span), they can adjust their work arrangements by developing tailor-made solutions for them to the benefit of both parties.

 

Supporting WFH Models with Virtualized Support Solutions
Providing employees in WFH models is tricky due to the current social distancing protocols in most countries. Therefore, many companies invest heavily in offering virtual support services to their employees involved in the WFH models to maintain high productivity levels in their companies.

 

WFH Models Policy Formulation
Many companies have started incorporating and adopting WFH arrangements in their company work policy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Indian business process outsourcing giant Tata Consultancy Services reported that 85% of its 400,000 employees in India and elsewhere in the world were working from home due to the lockdown, and they had already adopted WFH arrangements in their company’s policy.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic is currently on its second wave and all indications are we are in for a long ride. Therefore, it is imperative that businesses look for ways to embrace WFH models and put in measures of how they’ll handle COVID-19 telecommunication challenges.