Is Remote Work Right For Your Business?

The remote work trend has been on the rise; in fact, it has grown by a whopping 159% over the past few years.

The trouble is that given their concerns regarding productivity, many employers still consider this a risky bet. But the fact remains that they cannot afford to miss out on the benefits of remote work.

If you’re confused about the potential of remote working, here are some of its benefits:

Increase In Productivity

Yes, you read it right! Remote work can maximize employee productivity and reduce office expenses.

For example, many roles such as writing, coding, editing, designing, and more, require isolation, and your office might not be the best place for that. With the opportunity to work remotely, your staff can find the right spots in their homes and deliver better results.

Your Business Is Equipped To Survive Through Disasters And Pandemics

We are in the midst of a pandemic as industries across the globe deal with the aftermath of COVID-19. The only businesses that have survived thus far have shown immense fortitude and flexibility when dealing with clients and workers.

You’ll find that most of them have allowed employees to work from home, so business operations don’t freeze entirely.

Access To Larger Talent Pool

When hiring for an in-house position, your options are limited to the area and locality of your office; meanwhile, if you post a job for a remote position, the whole world is open to you.

You can hire the best talent from anywhere across the globe. All you need is connectivity and coordination, without having to worry about their transportation and accommodation.

Higher Retention

People often leave jobs because they are relocating, finding it hard to commute to work, or simply because they have to stay home to look after a loved one. You can put an end to such employee issues by allowing remote work facilities to your workers.

Here’s How To With Distance Professionally

There are a few issues with remote work that need to be addressed to meet the requirements of corporate culture and work ethic. Here’s how to overcome the setbacks presented by the distance to keep the team in sync:

Implement Clear And Uniform Values

Set the standard for all employees, ensuring that the rules applicable to all employees regardless of their locations.

Reiterate the directions every time you take a new member on board to serve as a reminder for other employees as well. A clear set of rules and occasional reminders can help businesses maintain a proper virtual environment.

Use Technology To Your Advantage

You have no choice but to be tech-savvy – keep several tools at hand to overcome any setback the distance presents you with.

For example, you can use video conferencing for face-to-face interaction; call your teammates to communicate things you have a hard time explaining in writing; use chatrooms to keep the team members active and in sync.

For monitoring, you can share screens or use team-building tools and software to access your employees’ devices when an issue needs to be resolved – the point is to maintain connectivity and make use of all available options.

Promote The Role Of HR Managers

The human resource department is going to transform entirely with remote working facilities. For some companies, HR Managers might need to travel places to meet up with teams in different regions and maintain in-person contact with employees.

But that’s not necessary given the many platforms and management software that can help manage remote employees can save labor dollars.

Have Occasional Meetups

Meeting other members of the organization every once in a while can make employees feel connected. A sense of belonging is created through meetups, where employees get to connect.

A mix of real-life and online meetups can be an innovative move to add novelty to your organizational culture.

Ensure Authentic Online Documentation

People often doubt the authenticity and substantiality of online agreements or contracts. Documents signed and sent online are as legally binding as hard copies of the paperwork.

Your employees are still bound to follow their commitment with you and respect your code of conduct even if they work remotely – just be sure to get the paperwork done.

EndNote

Demand for flexible options like remote work or work from home is on the rise, especially among the millennials. Digitization has made it all the easier for companies to have plenty of employees working remotely.

There are countless benefits of remote work – like the ability to diversify your teams and access to a greater talent pool. Your company can survive disasters and lockdowns, and your employees are less likely to leave. It has the potential to increase your overall productivity.

Photo by bongkarn thanyakij from Pexels