Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer extended the state’s stay-at-home order on April 9th to last until the end of the month. For many, this extension means another two weeks of juggling work, homeschooling, and life’s routine tasks – especially when spouses or children are involved.

According to ASE’s COVID-19 Response Survey, 63% of Michigan employers instituted a work from home policy that encourages anyone with the ability to work remotely to stay home, and another 28% were considering implementing such a policy. While certainly beneficial to employee safety and productivity, it has proven to have some surprising (and even funny) experiences.

The infamous toddler break-in during a BBC news report is just one example of how a weekly meeting can go from mundane to fascinating in an instant. I, myself, have come to appreciate these bloopers during a time when everyone could use a bit of a pick-me-up.

While there is no sure way to avoid the inevitable, there are certain things that employees can do to help manage the chaos. Spouses can coordinate calendars, parents can create routines for children, and pet owners can give their barking pals a bone or three to enjoy.

Of those organizations surveyed in ASE’s COVID-19 Response Survey, only 4% were planning to institute a work stoppage or shutdown, while another 25% were considering such a move. This means that a large majority of employees will continue to conduct business as usual in the coming weeks, likely from the comfort of their own home.

Exactly when everyone will return to work, in the traditional sense, is anyone’s best guess. But what we do know is that people have a way of adapting to any situation, including working remotely. In fact, we might even find that the bonds formed with fellow professionals through life’s quirky moments are pretty incredible.

Additional ASE Resources
COVID-19 Response Survey
COVID-19 Business Impact Survey