Employee and Supervisor Checklists

Remote Work Essentials: Employee Checklist

Being a successful Remote Work Employee requires careful planning, discipline, and the ability to work with less structure. Success depends on good organization, efficient time management, and adherence to established routines.

• Get Organized & Choose a Workspace - Develop productive habits and designate a distraction-free workspace at home. Avoid working in areas like the couch or near a television.
• Establish a Routine - Maintain a consistent schedule by starting and ending work at the same time daily. Define work hours clearly in the Remote Work Proposal.
• Replace Morning Office Rituals - Create new habits to signal the start of the workday, replacing traditional office routines like a commute or casual morning conversations.
• Plan & Track tasks - Use a daily "to-do" list to outline goals and assignments. Evaluate progress at the end of the day. Plan ahead to ensure access to necessary resources, as home offices may lack equipment like copiers or fax machines.
• End-of-Day Rituals - Mark the conclusion of work with signals like turning off lights, locking your computer, or taking a brief walk.

Managing work effectively stay informed, maintain high productivity, and communicate regularly with supervisors.

• Maintain Communication - Schedule regular check-ins with supervisors, forward office calls, and return messages promptly. If voicemail isn’t available, consider using an answering machine.
• Meet Deadlines - Follow deadlines as if working onsite. Submit work electronically or via mail to ensure it arrives on time.
• Attend Meetings - Participate in all required departmental meetings and group gatherings.

Setting boundaries at home clearly communicates expectations to family, friends, and neighbors to limit interruptions. Work with family members to create ground rules regarding acceptable interruptions and the use of office supplies. Your department may determine that some office materials/supplies may not be taken out of the University office space. Office materials provided by UWF must remain for business purposes only.

Remote Work Essentials: Supervisor Checklist

Effective management of remote work employees requires a focus on results rather than proximity, emphasizing flexibility and clear communication. To ensure the program’s success, keep the following in mind:

• Supervision and Expectations - Good supervision is achieved through managing objectives and outcomes rather than observation. Remote work must be mutually supportive, and employees can opt out if needed.
• Organizing Work - Supervisors should understand task timelines and resources required, distribute work efficiently, and communicate expectations clearly regarding deadlines, quality, and deliverables. Communication methods may include calls, emails, or meetings.
• Setting Timetables and Reviewing Progress - Collaborate with employees to create reasonable goals and timetables. Establish intermediate checkpoints to assess progress regularly.
• Coaching and Feedback - Reinforce positive behaviors and address deficiencies immediately. Use tools like calls, emails, or face-to-face discussions to provide timely feedback and develop employee capabilities.
• Tracking and Administrative Tools - Prepare clear objectives and lists of expectations for employees, including performance metrics for evaluations. Track time spent on projects and maintain records of critical files used at remote work locations. Implement mechanisms for monitoring file usage and location updates.
• Additional Considerations - Remote work employees must obtain supervisory approval for long-distance business calls made from their home office. Departments must maintain updated records of employees' remote work locations, including city, county, and state, which should be reported within five business days after any changes.

By maintaining strong communication, clear expectations, and proper tracking systems, supervisors can effectively manage remote employees and maximize productivity.