Remote work has been around for some time, but it has only recently become an option for most knowledge workers.
Though remote work comes with its share of challenges, studies have also demonstrated its benefits in terms of increased productivity and reduced stress levels. Companies who create environments that enable employees to work from home often reap these rewards as well.
Flexibility
Flexibility is the ability to alter your work schedule and location. This flexibility can be utilized for various goals such as increased productivity, workplace diversity and a healthy work-life balance.
Leaders must guarantee their organizations have a flexible work policy which is open, fair and consistent. Without doing so, employees may feel denied the opportunities and privileges they deserve.
Establishing a written policy that clearly outlines expectations and the procedures for fulfilling them can help eliminate uncertainty and minimize conflict.
Managers must guarantee that flexwork proposals are reviewed fairly by the team, which can be done through meetings or focus groups with employees to identify which option best meets their needs.
A written flexwork policy can be invaluable in setting clear guidelines for managing remote workers. This document should clearly state what the company expects from such an arrangement and how it will be implemented.
Once a flexible work policy is in place, managers must regularly communicate with their employees and keep them updated on the policies and procedures for making flexible arrangements. Doing this helps guarantee that remote workers feel valued as valuable members of the team.
It is essential to remember that remote employees may need to adjust their work routines in order to fit into a flexwork arrangement. For instance, they could need to take care of children, elderly parents or other family members when working from home.
This can be a challenge, but it can be managed effectively by creating an automated system that allows staff to track their actual work hours. To do this, staff should utilize an online calendar tool like All Hours.
Utilizing this tool can promote work habits, promote transparency about when and how much employees are working, and boost accountability for tasks assigned. Doing so could improve employee performance as well as retention rates.
A successful flexwork program must take into account such elements as technology and equipment, information security, ergonomic concerns, work location and employee wellbeing. It should also be managed and evaluated using quality communication plans that reflect Harvard’s values and policies and identify which University or school-approved technologies will be utilized.
Productivity
Remote work is becoming more and more commonplace in America due to technological advances that enable workers to work from home. And with the recent coronavirus pandemic, even more remote workers were forced to stay at home.
Many employees who work remotely report being happier and more productive than ever before. Furthermore, they enjoy a healthier work-life balance as well as less stress than office workers.
Although working from home can increase productivity, there are some unique challenges that must be considered. It can be difficult to stay focused when other things in your house or on-the-go distract you. To prepare for such interruptions, set up a designated workspace with noise cancelling headphones and ask family or roommates who understand that working from home means limited access to resources.
However, with the right mindset and planning, working remotely can be productive. Set goals and deadlines for each task to stay focused on your work.
Another effective tip is to create a schedule that helps you plan out your day ahead of time. Whether you write down tasks on paper or use an app like Todoist, creating such an agenda makes it simpler to prioritize what needs to be done and set deadlines for completion.
Tracking progress with smart goals is a great way to stay motivated and ensure you don’t miss any deadlines. Set objectives for each day, week, or long-term project and assign a deadline to it.
Finally, it is essential to take breaks throughout the day and avoid becoming overworked. Studies have indicated that workers who take frequent breaks tend to be more productive than those who don’t.
Remote work offers numerous advantages to businesses, from saving money on commute costs to improving employee retention and engagement levels, all the way through increased productivity among staff members. There’s no doubt that remote working is a great choice for any company looking to maximize efficiency within its ranks.
Diversity
Remote work offers businesses an opportunity to promote diversity and inclusivity. This new working style breaks down walls between employees and their co-workers, giving employees the flexibility to fit work around family responsibilities.
Therefore, remote work can improve employee engagement and retention – especially for women and people of color.
Working remotely can present challenges to diverse employees. For instance, proximity bias – when managers give promotions and assignments to people they know or have met in the past – can arise in both remote and hybrid work setups.
Proximity bias can be avoided by team leaders being aware of who their remote or hybrid employees are. San Francisco-based Iterable, a consumer marketing company, created a “calibration committee” to guarantee promotion decisions are fair and equitable for all staff members.
Employers must create a merit system to assess progress and achievement for remote or hybrid employees. Amberlicia Anthony Thane, consultant with Talogy – an assessment and talent management company with over 600 employees across 20 countries – suggests creating such a quantifiable merit system so all workers are measured against the same standards regardless of location.
One of the major struggles marginalized groups of employees experience is lack of visibility and not being recognized for their contributions. As a result, they may feel isolated from their coworkers and have their ideas disregarded.
To avoid this issue, businesses should conduct internal surveys and solicit feedback from minority staff about their experiences with these issues. With this data they can then use it to develop and execute plans to address them effectively.
Additionally, many employees prefer remote or hybrid work arrangements because it enables them to be more productive and effective at their job. Furthermore, it reduces the amount of time they must spend traveling between offices.
Additionally, hybrid or fully remote arrangements offer more opportunities for hiring and retaining diverse workers. A recent survey revealed that 86% of Hispanic/Latinx knowledge workers, 81% of Asian/Asian American and Black Knowledge workers would prefer working in either a hybrid or remote arrangement.
Accountability
Accountability is an essential element of business success, yet it can be challenging to establish when working remotely. Unlike traditional office settings, remote teams lack the opportunity to interact in person or receive feedback about their daily performance – leading to low employee morale and missed goals.
One of the most effective ways companies can increase work-from-home accountability is by setting clear expectations. For instance, employees should start and end their days at a specific time or check in with their managers daily to report progress on tasks.
Employees should also know when to ask for feedback or assistance. Doing so will enable them to reach their objectives and enhance performance.
Team members should be able to communicate with one another using the same digital tools (Google Hangouts, GoToMeeting, Zoom, Basecamp). Furthermore, they should share methods for collaboration and problem-solving so they can effectively communicate, build trust, and work together towards their ultimate objective.
Establishing communication can be challenging when working remotely, yet it’s essential for long-term success. Not only does this boost productivity and engagement levels among all employees who work remotely, but it also ensures everyone works towards the same objectives.
Accountability is not only essential to business success, but it’s also a powerful way to build trust among employees. Studies have demonstrated that when employees feel trusted at work, they tend to be more motivated, productive, and engaged – with lower stress levels, absenteeism rates, and burnout rates as well.
Remote teams must be held accountable to one another and their bosses in order to guarantee everyone knows their responsibilities, when they should do them, and how. This ensures everyone stays motivated to complete tasks on schedule.
Another essential element in creating employee accountability is setting SMART goals and holding workers accountable. These should have a time limit attached so everyone knows when they must complete the assigned work.
By setting smart goals for your team, you can boost the likelihood that everyone will finish their work on time and exceed expectations. Furthermore, it will give them a sense of ownership and prevent costly errors from being made in terms of both time and money.
