Remote Work/Communication

Question

For those of you who are working remotely during the pandemic, how are you communication w/ you managers (phone call, e-mail, Zoom), and how frequently? Are you providing him/her with weekly updates as to what you're working on or what your goals are for the week? How has the information been received by your boss?

Chloe Nguyen · Answer

IM and phone calls; we don't do video conference unless it's with the bigger group. He and i had a good run though prior to the pandemic so it was easy to continue this even after WFH. We contact each other for updates (work in progress, red flags, yesterday I needed advice on working through an issue); IM every day, phone calls as needed (1-3x/wk). We have weekly Friday calls.

Glennis Lofland · Answer

Before the pandemic, I was already having weekly one-on-ones with my boss to quickly run through projects completed, projects in progress and what's coming down the pike. We're still having those over the phone (because Zoom one on ones should never be a thing). I regularly text or ping her on Teams if anything comes up between our weekly calls. I also keep her looped into some emails that she should maintain situational awareness for. That said, my boss has a very hands off, no micro-managing approach so this method works for both of us, and it was something we'd already established pre-pandemic. Other bosses may want something more formal. Hope that helps!

Melanie · Answer

We have a 1:1 weekly and she has a staff meeting weekly. Both are via Zoom.  Most times at the end of the day we connect for an end of day sync which is via cell phone.  This was the same pre-Covid.  We work in HR.

Krista Coutts · Answer

I'm a contractor, and I find that weekly touchdown calls, with follow up emails on 'who is doing what by when' is really helpful.  Sometimes need to follow up with a text for urgency.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you everyone for the responses.

Lindsey Hamm · Answer

I supported two operational managers before COVID, one got moved to another area of the business, and I got re-allocated to the other one.  He is not as engaged as my last leader, which I think is hurting him. My previous leader always presented the things that I did or worked on, to help show that she was helping me to build on my  professional development. I am still building, but I am basically presenting my ideas and solutions solo, without the other manager, and it's making me look very independent and self-sufficient. It's also making my leader look like he's not engaged or contributing to my growth or the achievements that I have had. His boss will tell him to reach out to me to do tasks now, or he will reach out to me directly. It's a great feeling for me, not so much for my boss. BUT- I have tried to engage him, and he is just not picking up on it... He is a great leader, he just isn't used to having an assistant role up underneath him either. I have to remind him that he has me! hah! We do have weekly meetings, and anytime I am unsure about something due to HR reasons or around that, then I reach out to him...

Cara Houser · Answer

I prepare an agenda and check in with my clients once per week on Zoom and review status updates and discuss higher level issues needing their consideration and input. It's so far been an efficient way to keep everyone up to speed. Wishing you the best.

Kim Callinan · Answer

I can share what my staff are doing that works well for me (which is a little different from what you asked for, but perhaps helpful? My direct reports have been sending me a weekly email outlining their tasks and what they are doing that comes in advance of our one-on-one meeting, I then read through it and come to the meeting able to ask questions about their email (either things they didn't mention that I want to be updated on or futher clarification on what they did mention) and we have a discussion about that along with the week and month ahead.  That seems to be working.  Good luck!

Amber Piquard · Answer

Prior to the pandemic, our would have 3 meetings a week to discuss any updates on what we are working on, things we need from our manager, etc. We have now bumped those down to 2 Microsoft Teams Video meetings a week. We also have a group text where we can reach each other if it is something time sensitive.  Otherwise, good ole email! We are a close team and all understand each other pretty well, so all of the virtual communication hasn't been an issue as far as misunderstanding anything.

Remote Work/Communication

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