2 minutes
Credit union HR and talent development leaders recently discussed transitioning to remote work and physical distancing.
You are not alone! Not seeing our colleagues regularly, either due to remote work or just physical distancing in the office can create feelings of isolation. An “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” mentality can quickly sneak up on us, so we need to remember that we still have a large network of support.
You can still connect with others by using LinkedIn messaging, scheduling one-on-one calls, or leveraging such outside resources as a CUES Elite Access Virtual Roundtable. While not a new offering from CUES, the roundtables do offer new value right now as they allow credit union leaders to connect with peers and serve as sounding boards and resources for each other in a safe and effective fashion. The roundtables are free to Unlimited and Unlimited+ members.
CUES recently held a digital roundtable for credit union HR and talent development staff. These professionals gathered virtually and engaged in large- and small-group discussions with peers. In an hour, they talked about identified priorities, including transitioning staff to remote work, supporting staff who remain on-site, coaching staff and leaders, training staff on virtual communication tools, and leveraging outside resources.
Here are two questions posed during our conversation—plus a summary of the discussion about them—that may be helpful to you right now:
Q: How are you connecting staff if you have both remote and on-site employees?
The group recommended that leaders set up a short (15-minute) virtual huddle with their teams at a set time every week. Offer to have an HR (or organizational development) staff person available to join these calls. It’s important to have visible support (even if that’s virtually visible!) for staff right now.
Q: What are the options to connect virtually, if we have limited technologies?
Many virtual communication platforms offer free accounts. For example, Zoom offers free accounts that allow users to schedule 40-minute video meetings. If you have staff without access to laptops/webcams, leverage cell phone cameras. For those with technical barriers, identify work that can be done while not connected to your credit union’s internal network.
As you continue to focus on physical distancing, don’t forget to leverage your virtual network and resources. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, share ideas and discuss challenges.
Jennifer Stangl is director of professional development at CUES.
