What does the 'new normal' mean for how we work?

While Unisans are in lockdown and working from home, virtual team meetings are the new status quo.

Similar to face-to-face meetings, virtual meetings require pre-planning and organisation to run successfully. According to Ryan Newman, Human Resource Development (HRD) Practitioner in Unisa’s Human Resources Department, it’s easy to fall victim to some major meeting faux pas. “Virtual meeting etiquette is a whole new ballgame compared to in-person meetings, as many folks are learning during this time!”

Personal brand builder Liezel van der Westhuizen notes that  the standard interpersonal and behavioural guidelines for digital meetings are actually the same as those you would normally employ for an in-person meeting. However, slight adjustments (in attitude, behaviour and decorum) have become necessary to accommodate the fact that we’re all mostly working from home these days, she says.

For more information, read 15 Questions about remote work, answered by Tsedal Neeley and The 7 rules of virtual meeting etiquette every professional should know, two relevant articles sent by the HRD Directorate to line managers.

*Compiled by Sharon Farrell, Editor, Department of Institutional Advancement