May 2020 Volume 3, Issue 2 CARICAD’s Remote Work Policy and Working Arrangements By Rosemund Warrington and Dr. Lois Parkes, HR Specialists at CARICAD R emote Work as an alternative work arrangement has been growing in the last few years. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, however, remote work has taken on a new manifestation in that it is not only an alternative for a few but it is fast becoming a way of life for millions across the globe. Since August 2019, CARICAD introduced its first version of a Remote Working Policy and working arrangements. At that time, the Policy facilitated the work arrangement for one of CARICAD’s Technical Staff to work remotely from another Member State, outside of CARICAD’s base location in Barbados. As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis, it became critical for CARICAD to revise its policy framework for remote working arrangements. This allowed the organisation to further define the scope, operations, performance expectations, conditions and obligations of all parties in the remote working arrangement. Flexibility was also a critical element built into the policy, as it allowed for different conditions for the use of remote working, in keeping with changing external circumstances (such as COVID-19). This flexibility allowed CARICAD to adjust seamlessly to the expanded remote working arrangements that had to be utilised during the current pandemic. A key objective of the policy is to ensure optimal performance at the organisational, team and individual levels, even with remote working arrangements. As such, the policy included performance management guidelines to be followed to achieve performance targets. These include: Adhering to an agreed performance agreement Agreeing to regular contact arrangements Ensuring work schedules overlap with those of other team members for as long as is necessary to complete their duties effectively and collaboratively Continues on next page In this special COVID-19 issue of our Horizon Newsletter, we will be sharing with you a summary of the central tenets of our policy and arrangements for Remote Working (p.3). We will also offer suggestions for Leadership in a Crisis (p.4), outline Business Continuity Planning (p.8) and present a Call to Action for Digital Government (p.12). 1
2 Publizr Home