Work remotely: benefits, tips, challenges and about how to make it work for you
What is work remotely?
Work remotely (also known as work from home) is a sort of flexible working arrangement that allows an employee to work from a location other than the company’s office. This arrangement can assist assure work-life balance, professional opportunities, and reduced commuting costs for employees who can complete work offshore. Employee satisfaction and retention are up, productivity is up, and physical resource costs are down. Work remotely might be temporary or permanent, part-time or full-time, seldom or regular. Policies governing device use, network security, and performance standards are required for remote work.
What is work remotely means?
Work remotely means a way of working that allows people to operate outside of a regular office setting. It is founded on the idea that work does not have to be completed in a certain location to be successful.
Instead than going to an office every day to work from a set desk, remote employees can complete projects and meet deadlines from anywhere they want. People have the freedom to plan their days in such a way that both their professional and personal life can be completely realised while coexisting amicably.
A cultural paradigm change has occurred in what society considers to be an appropriate workplace, and remote employment has benefited from this greater independence.
What makes work remotely so popular?
Because it benefits both businesses and employees, work remotely is becoming increasingly common. It also resurfaced as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic, which compelled many firms to hastily transition from a typical face-to-face work environment to an entirely remote workforce for health and safety reasons.
The benefits of work remotely, such as reduced or eliminated commuting times, recruiting and hiring advantages, and productivity gains, have fueled its long-term appeal.
What is the process of work remotely?
Remote working necessitates a unique blend of culture, practises, and technology targeted toward enabling virtual teams to function effectively from anywhere. For remote work to succeed, there must be a cultural expectation that a person or team will work off-site on a regular basis. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to this strategy, a successful remote workforce typically has the following characteristics:
1. Strong, dependable connection:
Virtual teams rely largely on high-speed internet and mobile technology that can handle heavy usage.
2. Tools for collaboration and communication:
Remote workers must be able to collaborate as if they were in the same room. Chat, videoconferencing, file sharing, remote desktops, and other common corporate activities necessitate secure, high-quality applications and platforms.
3. Culture of well-being:
High-performing virtual teams have cultures of trust and collaboration, with a focus on results rather than “face time” or office hours. Supportive management that believes in the remote approach and supports individuals and teams to succeed with this kind of work is also part of a culture that fosters work remotely.
What are the benefits of work remotely?
Individuals and businesses alike choose remote work because it has certain distinct advantages over traditional on-site labour. Among them are:
Remote work not only enhances results and employee branding, but it’s also a policy that the best employees want.
That is correct. Here are a few advantages of remote working for both employees and employers.
Employee advantages of work remotely
While remote working isn’t for everyone, it has provided many people with a new, more relaxed lifestyle. Here are a few of the advantages of work remotely.
1. An improved work-life balance
Remote workers can free up hours to spend with family, friends, hobbies – or just watching TV without having to commute. That spare time is all yours.
2. Controllability
Working from home gives you more flexibility not only in terms of where you work but also in terms of how you work. You don’t have to deal with background noise, freezing air conditioning, or stale coffee from the workplace machine. You have complete control over your work environment.
3. A more positive outlook
Life can be a lot easier if you don’t have to worry about commute, office politics, or a lack of flexibility. In fact, 86 percent of professionals believe that having the choice to work from home after COVID-19 would make them happier, and 77 percent of citizens believe that having the option to work from home after COVID-19 would make them happier.
4. More job opportunities
Because you don’t have to reside near your business, working remotely might open up a world of professional opportunities. You might even be able to find work overseas or, if your job lets it, take your laptop and open up shop in another nation.
5. More adaptability
Although remote working and flexible working are not synonymous, remote working tends to give you greater flexibility in when you do your work. It will be much easier to take a break to see your child’s school play or get your car fixed.
6. Commutes were reduced or eliminated:
Remote workers, especially those who work from home, spend less time travelling to and from work. This frequently means that a remote worker reclaims significant time each week. Working from home saves five hours a week in addition to saving money on transportation.
Employer advantages of work remotely
What’s good for workers is frequently beneficial for the companies that employ them. Here are eight ways that work remotely can help your company.
1. Boost your output.
Employee productivity can be boosted by remote working in a variety of job areas. A well-known Stanford University research found that when call centre employees at a Chinese travel firm worked from home, their performance increased by 13%. Working remotely has a good influence on performance for those with difficult occupations with low dependencies on others, according to a 2018 study.
2. Enhanced Business continuity:
Because they are not required to work together in the same location, virtual teams are more organically adaptable. This can help with business continuity planning, especially in the event of an unforeseen or emergency situation where staff are unable to work on-site.
The necessity of being able to operate remotely was highlighted during the coronavirus outbreak. Businesses can continue to operate even if their premises are damaged or individuals are unable to come to work for whatever reason if employees can work from home or another place.
3. Recruit top performers
Because they don’t have to be local and/or the company doesn’t have to give expensive relocation packages, hiring for a remote workforce can considerably increase a manager’s pool of potential applicants. This is especially useful for recruiters and hiring managers who are working in a highly competitive local labour market or who are dealing with talent shortages in specific positions.
With half of the workforce able to work remotely at least once a week, any company that does not provide the option is falling behind. Organizations who do not allow remote work may lose employees to those that do: 54% of office workers say they’d leave for a job that allows them to work from home.
4. Improve your work-life balance.
Flexible employment and remote working are tightly related. Even if workers don’t have more flexibility in terms of working hours, not having to commute provides them more time. Millennials like this flexibility.
According to research, this age group values the ability to work from home. As a result, companies who wish to recruit them must make it a top priority.
5. Environmental protection
The main source of carbon emissions in the India is transportation. And business travel, whether commuting or travelling to a conference, adds to those emissions.
Remote working can help companies reduce their carbon footprint by eliminating commuting and encouraging video conferencing.
6. Increase your talent pool.
Organizations wishing to hire staff that must be on-site at all times confront challenges. This is especially true if a company is located in a region with high housing expenses.
However, if you’re employing remote staff who don’t need to come in every day – or at all – you may hire from practically anywhere. People might work from their homes or even from other countries. The ability to tap into talent and create a truly diversified workforce is not limited by geography.
7. Boost employee motivation
People who work from home are more engaged than those who do not. Full-time remote employees are 22% happier in their jobs than those who never work remotely. This, predictably, makes them more loyal. Remote workers are 13 percent more likely than on-site workers to stay in their current position for the next five years. Given the high cost of hiring, it’s an option that businesses can’t afford to overlook.
8. Reduce the cost of real estate
Companies spend a lot of money on offices. It is possible to significantly minimise these costs by having a larger proportion of teams work remotely. Companies with a large remote workforce typically require less physical office space, resulting in cost savings and increased long-term flexibility.
Some of the best tips for Work remotely
Work remotely for the first time is a significant change. Experienced remote workers understand the importance of having the correct workspace – and the right mindset. Here are seven suggestions for making work remotely work for you.
1. Locate the ideal location.
When work remotely, the setting counts, whether it’s a room in your house, a shared workspace, or a beloved coffee shop. Make sure the temperature and noise levels are appropriate for you, that you have enough space for your equipment, and that you won’t be disturbed. To feel more invigorated, seek out spaces with natural light.
2. Make a schedule.
Work remotely gives you greater freedom, so you may be able to choose when you complete your work. While this might be beneficial, you may find that not having such hard deadlines causes work to spill over into other parts of your life, which can be stressful. So make a routine for yourself and try to keep to it as much as possible.
3. Prepare yourself.
No, I’m serious. Working in your jammies may be enticing, but it will not make you feel professional. It’s also unattractive on a video call. Wear something that makes you feel motivated, professional, and confident because clothing has an impact on our mood and emotions. Dressing for work helps you distinguish between job and home life, allowing you to turn off when the working day is done.
4. Schedule breaks.
With no reminders to take lunch or coffee breaks, remote workers might spend entire days glued to their screens. Taking a break is revitalising, especially if you can get outside, so plan a timetable for yourself and make sure you get outside at least once a day. If going outside isn’t an option, create an indoor activity.
To energise yourself and relieve anxiety, take a walk up and down the stairs, workout with a fitness video, or simply stretch.
5. Always communicate.
Work remotely necessitates more, not less, communication. Stay in touch with colleagues and projects via instant messaging and group chat, video call into meetings, and, most importantly, check in with colleagues and management.
Make an effort to contribute to chat, even if you’re bashful. Many individuals will be feeling the same way, but participating in a virtual water cooler talk might help to alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation.
6. Change the way you communicate.
When you’re not conversing face to face, body language and aural signals can be absent. As a result, when work remotely, communication must be more explicit. Make sure your messages are clear and succinct so that your colleagues comprehend what you’re saying.
7. Request assistance.
People who work alone may find themselves persevering with activities even when they require assistance. It’s fine to ask for help when you need it – and it’s the correct thing to do. Regular check-ins with proactive offers of assistance are critical for managers.
Best practises for work remotely
Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to work remotely, there are certain general best practises to follow to ensure success. Among them are:
1. Clear policies and guidelines:
A healthy awareness of expectations is frequently the foundation of a culture of trust: Is a person expected to be “in the office” (or available for communication online) by a certain time or for a specific number of hours each day? How are results assessed? What devices and applications are permitted in the workplace? The list goes on.
2. Building a team:
A virtual group is still a group. Managers, in particular, must create collaborative, communicative teams that are invested in each other’s success. This could entail getting together in person on occasion, such as for a retreat or social event, as well as other behaviours like recognising individual and team accomplishments.
3. Advanced technologies:
Companies that have high-performing remote teams invest in the tools that their employees use to do their tasks. Remote desktops and mobile devices, high-speed broadband, dependable and simple-to-use software, and other business-specific requirements are among them.
Challenges of work remotely
When best practises and basic concepts of how remote teams work are missing, problems with remote working arise. As a result, problems arise such as:
1. Drains on productivity:
Employees can lose enthusiasm and productivity if there are no clear standards and procedures in place.
2. Micromanagement and mistrust:
Lack of trust, or the virtual version of watching someone’s back to make sure they’re doing their job, can increase tension and lower morale.
3. Untrustworthy technology:
For remote teams, insufficient tools and technologies can be a productivity and morale killer. Poor broadband connections, unreliable programmes, and obsolete gear can all cause frustration and significantly reduce results.
4. The hesitant remote employee:
Finally, when neither the employee nor the company works remotely as a deliberate choice or tactic, another difficulty can occur. People and businesses who seek out the benefits of remote work are the greatest candidates.
If you want to work remotely or want to hire remote workers, check out Sarkari Date‘s free career portal. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.