Too many employers have outdated beliefs around remote working

Since Covid, there has been a significant shift towards remote working which many employers have continued adopting even after the fact. However, I am seeing that many employers are undervaluing remote workers, inevitably this leads to to a drop in employee satisfaction and overall productivity.

I’ve heard a few stories recently which frustrate and even anger me because people are not being valued as employees or treated fairly. I am an advocate for the essential role flexible and remote working can play in sustainable employee satisfaction.

Remote and flexible working have become preferred choices for many professionals. Recognising this change is not just about keeping pace with trends but implementing a work culture that prioritises both employee well-being and business efficiency.

Of course this is not without its own challenges as outdated norms - that often disadvantage workers and are sometimes even perceived as discriminatory - are uprooted.

Younger employees, like those from Gen Z, may also find traditional office settings less productive, as they entered the workforce during the rise of remote work.

Personally, I believe a Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE) where the focus is on output rather than hours logged, could be the future of work. ROWEs include asynchronous working models and measuring performance metrics, allowing employees complete autonomy over their projects.

I really believe that 'trust' is the foundational in reducing staff turnover and the associated training costs, which stabilises the workforce and retains skilled talent across industries.??

Flexible and remote work does allow more freedom, but company recruitment processes should be reliable and able to identify any unsuitable candidates early on.

I recognise that there are also potential pitfalls with remote work, such as the risk of employees feeling disconnected or isolated. To combat this, implementing robust virtual communications tools and regular check-ins can maintain team cohesion and ensure staff members feel supported and valued, regardless of their physical location. The plethora of such tools has massively increased since the pandemic and can be a great help (when implemented well with appropriate training).

Empowering our workforce goes beyond providing flexibility; it’s about creating an environment where every employee can thrive and feel motivated to use their unique strengths to contribute their best.

Unfortunately, I have come across a few recent examples where employers don’t recognise the benefits of providing the flexibility and instead view remote working arrangements negatively. It’s crucial to evolve and embrace remote work setups that respect and trust employees’ capabilities without micromanaging their every move.?

In my view:

Providing staff with the autonomy to manage their responsibilities demonstrates a commitment to their professional growth and the long-term success of a company. When staff are content it directly enhances employee satisfaction, client relations, and overall business productivity. It’s a win-win.

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