May 2023 Volume 5

OPERATIONS & MANAGEMENT

Another commented, “Remote or hybrid work schedules I think are best left up to the discretion of managers. Some people work just as good or better from home. While others do not, for various reasons. I personally am more efficient in the office, and I returned to working in the office full time when it was available. Deciding on remote, hybrid, or in person work should be handled on a case by case basis rather than a blanket policy.”

What the future holds regarding hybrid or remote working in manufacturing operations we cannot say. But it does appear that this hybrid and remote work option is something that all businesses are going to need to learn to navigate in one form or another. How that affects the manufacturing industry and overall workforce in the future, only time will tell.

Comments From the Membership: One respondent stated, “I have seen both sides where some people take advantage of the opportunity and slack off at home. However, I also know people who actually work more, and have trouble unplugging since their home is their office. I also think there is something gained interacting face to-face with people.”

Some Dos and Don’ts of Virtual Meetings: • DO use the camera. Both the hosts and participants. This helps push for even more interactions and keeps the attendees accountable for paying attention to the meeting. • DO dress appropriately. • DO mute the microphone when you are not speaking, especially if you are in a location with a lot of foot-traffic. • DO avoid multi-tasking, if possible. This helps you engage with the teammore and pay more attention. • DO find a neutral background or use a setting on the platform to hide distracting backgrounds. • DO speak up! No one likes to feel like they have a full room of people who aren’t listening or interacting. • DO add your name, if available, at check-in to ensure that people are able to associate your visual or voice with a name. • DON’T eat or be doing other tasks while on the camera view of a meeting. This can be very distracting to those on the zoomwith you. • DON’T forget to review the agenda, if applicable, prior to joining. This will help you prepare any questions or concerns ahead of time.

FIA MAGAZINE | MAY 2023 59