Thank you for being here. These pages were built to provide you with resources that may help you better navigate some of the uncertainty that surrounds us during this time. This resource list is organized around Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs because we recognize that it is impossible to focus on things like being creative when your basic needs are not being met.
Hierarchy of Needs
In times of uncertainty, we need to be aware of what we need from ourselves and each other. In Human Resources we care about people and their needs. We have developed this page of community and university resources based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs. Depending on what you need, please take the time to explore the tabs to the side.
Resources for Remote Working
Strategies for successful remote working
All of this disruption—the shift to remote working and the social changes wrought by COVID-19—can be incredibly disorienting. Sometimes you might feel too overwhelmed to be as productive as you would like to be. To help you dispel these feelings, this section of the guide suggests some concrete strategies you can use to help you best organize your time and focus your attention.
Communicate with your supervisor
It’s important to stay in regular communication with your supervisor about projects, work, and what you personally need to be successful in this environment.
Unless you hear otherwise from individual colleagues, the best way to contact your coworkers is through their Boise State email address or Google Chat.
If you feel overwhelmed by the amount of email you’re getting, there are several ways to manage Gmail. You can use filters, labels, and folders; change the way Gmail displays your inbox; and archive email to reduce the number of messages in your inbox. Read more about organizing Gmail.
When communicating in text you won’t have tone and inflection to help explain your message
Keep in mind how your words can be interpreted. Avoid sarcasm as it doesn’t translate very well in text. Using ALL CAPS or excessively bolding text can be interpreted as yelling.
We recommend following these guidelines for effective online communication:
- Be positive & respectful of others thoughts, ideas, and contributions.
- Use proper language & titles. Avoid texting or slang language.
- Use effective communication by clearly saying what you mean.
- Practice good manners and thank others for their contributions.
- Ask for clarification if you are unclear about what you read.
Ask for what you need
In face-to-face work, you see your colleagues regularly, and they can usually discern—by chatting, listening, and reading facial expressions and body language—what you need from one another.
However, when work moves online, we lose the ability to make these in-person observations. In addition, because this is a new environment for most, we are all learning how to navigate working remotely with one another.
It’s important, therefore, that you be clear (without being demanding) about what you need to be successful. Your supervisor likely will be grateful to learn about these needs, as there’s a very good chance that other employees have these needs as well.
Depending on your circumstances, you might need to ask your instructors for:
- Getting access to up to date information.
- Clearer or more regular communication from them about:
- their expectations for workload and participation in meetings.
- upcoming deadlines.
- accessing and using the technology required to complete work remotely.
- Changing expectations so that the workload remains reasonable.
- If your job requires research, instructions on how to access articles or ebooks through the Albertsons Library website.
Schedule time for exercise, relaxation, and connection
Take a deep breath. You’ll get it all done. It’s important to also schedule time for things that keep you healthy and that give you enjoyment.
Block off time in your schedule to meet virtually with friends or family, to get some physical activity, and to enjoy movies or hobbies.