telework, technology, and social work · would be capable of in the office 2. work with your...
TRANSCRIPT
TELEWORK, TECHNOLOGY,
AND SOCIAL WORK
DURING
THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
The environment created by the Coronavirus Pandemic has created many challenges.
For Helping Professionals, these challenges are often even more difficult, as we
frequently serve the most vulnerable populations, while trying to meet guidelines,
mandates, and directives that have had no way of adapting to this rapidly changing
and dynamic environment.
One way to address some of the challenges that social spacing, quarantines, etc.
pose to effective social work may be via the thoughtful and responsible utilization of
telecommuting and technology.
THE CHALLENGE
At the time of this writing, many locations in the
U.S, and around the world, are implementing
suggested or required discontinuation of large,
medium, and even small gatherings. In
addition, more and more people are choosing to
implement “social spacing” strategies and “self-
imposed quarantines”
In this environment, many Social Workers and
other Helping Professionals have been put into
a situation where they must weigh their own
well being and that of their family and personal
relationships, while simultaneously considering
compliance related timelines, organizational
policies and/or lack of resources to decrease
exposure to the virus, and their own ethical
standards for ensuring the safety and well
being of their clients.
There is rarely a single solution to any challenge, particularly in Social Work, where
we are working with individuals and families that are infinitely different in their
strengths, needs, assets, abilities, support systems, etc.
In the current global crisis brought on by the Coronavirus, we as helping
professionals need to be creative, courageous, and confident in the services we
provide to those in need. These may not always be perfect or ideal solutions to
every scenario, but in a crisis, they may just be what is needed to get the job done.
In this document, Social Work Mentor puts forth the concepts of Telework and
Technology as two specific examples of how we can potentially think out of the box
to continue to provide the best possible level of service to our clients while keeping
ourselves as safe as possible.
Typically, telework is a work arrangement that allows an employee to perform work,
during any part of regular, paid hours, at an approved alternative worksite (e.g.,
home, telework center).
A video conference is a live, visual connection between two or more people in
separate locations for the purpose of communication. Video conferencing can
reduce or eliminate participants having to spend time travelling to meet each other.
If this strategy is used with those clients who have the ability to participate in a
video conference, the decreased travel time creates more opportunity to address
the needs of clients who cannot have a video conference. In many cases (where
appropriate), participants can view and work on the same electronic document.
Maybe most importantly, video conferencing allows you to see the person that you
are communicating with, which can give important visual clues that are not
available during a telephone conversation.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
TELEWORK
VIDEO CONFERENCING
REASONS TO TELEWORK
DURING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
1. Keep yourself as healthy as
possible in order to continue
serving others
2. Protect your clients from
sickness, as they may not have
the resources to get through a
Coronavirus infection
3. Work from home so that you
can care for your own family,
including children who may be
home from a school that has
closed during the crisis.
4. Ensure that compliance related
timelines, activities, etc. are
met in a dynamic, changing
environment
HOW TO PREPARE FOR TELEWORK
1. Ensure that you have an appropriate
workspace, sufficient equipment/materials,
internet connection, etc. such that you can
get your work done in a manner and at a
level that is closely equivalent to what you
would be capable of in the office
2. Work with your organization to determine
which cases may be appropriate for
telework
3. Identify tasks and activities that must be
done “in the office” and how and when they
can be accomplished in a manner that
protects the safety of yourself and your co-
workers
4. Identify gaps in service that may occur by
not being in the office, and find potential
solutions
5. Determine logistics that are agreeable to
both employee and management (start/end
times, tasks to be completed, expectations
for communication, etc.)
6. Determine methods and parameters of
communication (email/phone/tele –
conference, etc.)
7. Arrange regular check-ins with
Supervisor/Manager to ensure that the
telework situation is functioning well, or
where modifications may be needed
TOP VIDEO CONFERENCING TOOLS
1. Zoom
Zoom is ideal for anyone who works remotely. Zoom allows for simple, easy setup
meetings or regular meetings in your personal meeting room. Quickly create and
share a private meeting link with an individual or multiple people through video.
Simple, easy to use phone app.
Top Features:
1:1 and group meetings - Unlimited meetings - HD video and audio - Screen
sharing
Scheduled meetings - Private and group chat - Host controls
2. Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts is a simple way to connect with Google contacts (or those
without a Google account as well). Use this tool for individual conversations,
team meetings, and more.
Top Features:
Up to 25 video participants - Video, audio, and messenger conversations - Video
meeting recordings - Join calls using Google Calendar - Screen sharing
3. Skype
The free version of Skype works well for small teams with less than 10 total
members. It is a good tool if you need a simple way to video chat from your
computer, phone, or tablet and tend to have smaller group meetings or 1-1
conversation. Skype also offers a tool called Skype in the Classroom specifically
designed for online education.
Top Features:
Up to 10 people on video calls - HD video calling - Screen sharing - Video call
recording - Interactive video chats - Location sharing
What is Zoom and how does it work? Plus tips and tricks
How to set up and use Google Hangouts
How to Do a Video Conference in Skype