Telecommuting. Teleworking. Virtual Work. Working from home. No matter what you call it, remote work has grown in popularity over the years as businesses have begun to rethink the traditional “office.” That trend accelerated when millions of people suddenly were thrust into this unconventional work arrangement due to COVID-19. This new normal has forced companies to adapt quickly or suffer the consequences. It has fundamentally changed how we get things done.
Challenges of remote working
Let’s face it, teleworking is not easy. A reduction in productivity sometimes follows implementations. Employees might not entirely feel like they are part of the team or culture—no more chatting and gossip during their coffee break. A lack of physical interaction between employees can also make collaboration and communication more difficult. And there is no longer a boss or coworkers looking over your shoulder to keep you from straying into “extracurricular activities” (i.e., Facebook, or the latest smartphone app). Further, company leaders might struggle to manage effectively or to affect the company culture.
Benefits of remote working
While remote work might have a bad reputation for some, for others, it’s the new way of the future. First, it eases the financial burdens associated with office space and utilities and widens the pool of applicants for companies looking to recruit. Second, it improves the work/life balance for employees, which leads to employee retention. Third, it reduces the cost and time associated with commuting, which certainly has a positive impact on our community.
Put simply, telecommuting is a different way of working that is more aligned with our evolving environment. If you follow the right mix of processes, expectations, and digital tools, you might not want to go back to the old ways.
Here is a list of the many actions that employees, teams, and managers can take to make remote work a productive and fulfilling experience.
How employees can stay productive when working from home
Create a quiet and comfortable at-home workspace
Though it may be tempting, avoid spending your working hours sitting on your couch or your bed. Your mind most likely associates these spaces with relaxation and leisure. Instead, remote workers must carve out dedicated space in their homes where they can focus. This workplace should preferably be away from where they usually spend their time. Having this assigned space will help you to mentally separate work and home-life. This approach lets you leave work stresses at your desk instead of feeling like you are “at work” 24/7. Besides, this space will help communicate to other members of your household that you are working and are not to be disturbed.
Schedule your day
Remote work requires actively warding off time-wasting habits and distractions. Planning your day can help you to stay on task and evaluate when you are falling behind. Communicating your schedule to coworkers and those you live with can also help keep them from interrupting you from work or home life, respectively.
Avoid burnout by stepping away when you need to
Part of scheduling your day includes scheduling time for breaks, too. Get up to stretch, take a short walk, go out to lunch, or play with a pet – whatever you choose to do, the breaks should move you away from your workspace and take a respite from screens. Be sure to schedule an end to your day, as well. It’s essential to spend time away from your work.
How teams can effectively work together remotely
Over-communicate with team members
Drop a friendly email, give them a call, or send them the latest meme. However you do it, be sure to keep in regular contact with your team members. Reaching out to coworkers, leaders, and clients can help facilitate communication and keep everyone working together. Even if there is no pressing work-related topic, it is essential to make an effort to socialize, just as you would in the office. As the team grows accustomed to remote work, members can work together to establish how often to meet and the preferred ways of communication.
Utilize project management tools and software
Specific applications can help your team stay on track and keep advancing on projects. Some have specialized features that allow you to tag individual team members, organize activities by urgency, and even set deadlines. Some popular collaboration tools include Trello, Slack, G-Suite, Zoom, Google Hangouts, Microsoft Teams, and more!
How managers can help their employees succeed while working virtually
Establish clear policies and guidelines
Provide employees with clear instructions of what is expected of them while working from home. Examples may include when to clock in and out, unacceptable activities while on the clock, and availability requirements. When problems arise, be sure to add clarification to the guidelines.
Develop training for staff
Your staff should learn the fundamentals of remote working. Many people are not naturally skilled at staying motivated and productive while working at home. Creating a training program for your employees can help them understand the challenges they may face and the techniques to overcome them. This regimen can be as simple as a collection of useful articles on the topic (hint, hint).
Cultivate effective communication
As your team grows accustomed to remote work, it’s essential to foster productive dialogue between team members. As a manager, you can encourage this communication by hosting frequent meetings. Daily check-ins are a great way to stay connected to your team. These virtual encounters could be a safe space where everyone can engage in social chatter, ask questions, or voice concerns. In addition to the regular meetings, managers should spell out when (time of the day) and how (phone, email, chat) to reach out to them when needed.
While virtual working might still have a bad reputation for some, it has become the way of the future for many. And now the pandemic has undoubtedly accelerated the trend towards remote work. So, try your best to reap its rewards for yourself and your organization.