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We have spent more than a month in lockdown, and as a result of the unprecedented situation caused by coronavirus, we had to adapt ourselves overnight. Adapt our way of expressing affection, our routine and our way of working. Now many businesses, but also charities and NGOs have started to work remotely. Through Jovesólides, we are communicating with several of these entities so that they tell us how they are doing it and how they see the future of remote work in this sector. Has it come to stay?
To do this, let's start at the beginning. It is worth repeating that working remotely is a form of work which takes place in a location outside of the central office, separating the worker from the personal contact which they have in this office. This is how it is defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). And for this to develop optimally, new information and communication technologies are essential. ICT makes this separation possible, easing communication.
But remote work, although newer to some sectors from the current emergency situation, emerged decades ago from the hand of the physicist Jack Nilles. Precisely, in the 70s it was conceived to avoid relocations, build-ups and mobility problems. All this while reducing energy consumption at the height of the oil crisis in the United States.
For its part, the Third Sector, we recall that it is the area formed by private entities of a voluntary nature and non-profit that, arising from the free initiative of citizens, operate autonomously and in solidarity. These entities seek, through actions of general interest, to promote the recognition and exercise of social rights, to achieve social inclusion in all its dimensions and to prevent certain social groups from being excluded from sufficient levels of well-being. This is how it is defined by the State Council for Social Action NGOs, the Third Sector for Social Action (TSAS).
Working remotely in the time of the coronavirus
When it comes to working remotely, and until the unprecedented situation arrived, Spain was below the European average of 5.2%. Only 4.3% of people in our country work from home, according to Eurostat statistics. The best data regarding the implementation of this type of work are held by the Netherlands (14%), Finland (13.3%) and Luxembourg (11%).
But in the last few intense weeks, which have seen changes against the clock, everything has changed. Many businesses are following the recommendations made by the Ministry of Labour and have adopted working remotely as an alternative form, in order to keep putting their activities into practice. Big businesses such as Microsoft, Vodafone, Telefónica, Repsol, Santander... have won the race, but we also know that they are technologically prepared to do this. The rest have had to jump onto the bandwagon, and have not always done this with the best conditions.
The immediate implementation of an alternative form of work has also led to an increase in the sale of laptops, in the use of videoconferencing apps, messaging, and even social media has been playing a bigger role in our lives in the last few weeks. In view of the new setting, new forms of communication appeared to keep making progress.
Teleworking: an opportunity and a challenge also for the Third Sector
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n the last few weeks, the Third Sector has had to join a way of working that is not very well implemented, but is well known.
The Third Sector has had to adhere to a form of work which has not been widely rolled out, although it is known, in the last few weeks. 'We have always discussed working remotely. It is an important tool for action. And through this exceptional situation, we have the opportunity to understand its importance. This situation has to teach both the Third Sector and Management a lot, because, for example, we think about the digitial gap, which is more visible than ever', highlights Luis Vañó, president of the Third Sector Platform of the Valenica Region.
The issue is that small entities, or some medium-sized, do not have the resources or the technological tools to easily join remote working. For them, the emergency situation has highlighted this shortcoming, and adaptation is becoming increasingly difficult.
When it comes to whether working remotely is the future of the Third Sector, as a supplementary form of direct attention, the Farmamundi director, Joan Peris, has made it clear that it is at least a very viable option for work-life balance.
In this sense, Xose Cuns, director of EAPN Galicia, highlights that working remotely is present. 'I see an accelerated adaptation, certainly in the relationship between professionals for organising meetings or monitoring, also in aspects like online training (we have a growing demand) or even in the
organisation of all kinds of events'.
On a general level, the experience of adapting to an alternative form of work is positive. 'The team has rapidly adapted itself to this new form of working, which up to now had only been carried out by some people. However, it entails a big challenge, both technologically and in adapting to family reconciliation, which signifies a big effort and commitment by the team', highlights Joan Peris.
An effort which Luis Vañó also refers to, 'we have had to reinvent activities. Above all, the tasks which involve the most administration and services. Now, we coordinate them online. More than 50% of our activities'.
However, not all the work carried out by the entities can be done remotely. 'A large part of the Third Sector's work, which we have been seeing recently, can be done from home. Now, we have inevitably had to adapt many services to guarantee social distancing. Therefore, these past few days it has been possible to carry out many activities: home help service, food distribution, help in shelters... But when lockdown ends, it will also be important to resume a large percentage of in-person activities', states Lourdes Mirón, president of Jovesólides.
Regarding the main pro and cons of working remotely, there are several similarities. The reduction of staff costs, less investment in resources and flexibility in communication are the main benefits highlighted by the entities. Whilst the biggest negative is loss of human contact, the necessity to invest in new equipment, learning to manage teams remotely, or managing the difference between your personal and professional life.
How are we doing it at Jovesólides?
During the health emergency caused by coronavirus, Jovesólides also adhered to working remotely. Its headquarters remain closed, but it has not stopped attending to and accompanying the most vulnerable people. Since the first week, intervention mechanisms have been put in place to keep taking care of the needs of the different groups which are addressed through their programmes.
Furthermore, the entity continues to work on the rest of its projects and logistical, administrative or support tasks remotely.
Is it possible that remote working will move to the Third Sector permanently? We still do not know, but yes, we are starting to make out a part of the work carried out by the sector which could be incorporated into the day-to-day activities beyond lockdown.
It is not just the Third Sector which has had to improve its preparation for this new form of work, but also society in general. Because until the unprecedented situation, working remotely was not a part of our culture.
Maybe the health crisis caused by coronavirus is a turning point to step on the accelerator in the digital era, to use technology to the benefit of individual and collective development, family reconciliation and caring for the planet.
