If your organization or small business is new to teleworking, this checklist is designed to help you get off on the right foot. Before implementing a new policy, it should be reviewed and edited for regulatory compliance with Federal, State, Local, Township, Province, or the applicable authority governing your area.
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Business Preparedness Checklist
Use this checklist and customize the sample policies linked below to help maintain business continuity during weather and health emergencies, and other unforeseen times of need.
Your People
Select your preparedness team
Define roles
Assign backups to cover critical operations
Share names, roles, and contact information of the preparedness team with all staff
Furnish staff with necessary office/business supplies, stationary, mailers, equipment (scanners, postage, etc.,)
Your Vendors
Request their plan to sustain critical operations
Obtain contacts, backups for roles and contact information
(see IT under Critical Operations)
Critical Operations
Identify what can be postponed or suspended
Ask your IT Dept/Vendor for support capabilities; understand what they can do and how they will respond
Identify how and how frequently you will communicate with employees, customers, other stakeholders
Consider rerouting mail
Update voicemail, business hours on social media, etc., as needed and cancel any in-person appointments/events
Provide Zoom, Go To Meeting or other credentials, so staff can continue meeting
Policies - click to download sample policies
When implementing telework policies of a temporary nature, such as in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, remember to include language around the start and conclusion of the agreement. For example, you might add, “This policy shall be effective from [date] until [State/Province/Country, etc.] emergency orders related to the COVID-19 outbreak have been lifted.”
Telework Policy MS Word PDF
Acceptable Uses of IT Equipment Policy MS Word PDF
Signed Staff Agreements - click to download sample agreements
Telework Agreement MS Word PDF
Telework Guidelines MS Word PDF
Telework Schedule MS Word PDF
