Remote working is here to stay. According to certain sources, 50% of the UK workforce will be working from home or out of offices within the next few years.
That’s an enormous number. However, it’s not difficult to comprehend why.
The advantages of flexible and remote working are obvious. And while the idea isn’t brand new however, the technology is available to make it simpler and less expensive to accomplish it successfully.
Digital leaders who are effective know that software like Office 365 is revolutionising online productivity and communication. technology like 4G/5G and shared Wi-Fi in public spaces are bringing the power.
However, if you’re thinking about introducing working from home, or creating a new policy for remote working There are a few aspects to think about.
In the first place, is it an idea that is worthwhile?
PROFITS OF WORKING FROM HOME
We believe that today’s technology – and an environment of support – the benefits being able to work at home can be felt by employees, and also benefit our company.
On the surface, the benefits are clear for both employers and employees. However, if you’re thinking about the impact of remote working for your teams It’s essential to think about a few crucial aspects.
Here are 5 considerations you must consider before establishing the remote working policy.
1. Working Environment
When I tell people I work from home, a question crops up more than any other: how can I finish my work?
No doubt they craft thoughts of pyjamas and background TV sets.
Evidently, creating the best environment is the way productive work is able to be completed. So , a comfortable, free of distractions space to work in is top of the list for would-be remote staff.
In the end, a lot of time and money are spent designing work-friendly offices. Lighting space, temperature, chairs that move. You wouldn’t put you HR boss in basement that is damp.
The majority of employees don’t want home visits for their boss. However, to enjoy full working from home benefits It is crucial to at least offer the education and support to employees for creating spaces that are safe and comfortable; and to supervisors on how they can manage and support their remote staff well.
2. Zero Commute – Environmental, health, Cost and Environmental Benefits
Spending hours travelling for work each day is not good for anyone.
Eliminating the need to commute is among the main advantages of working remotely. The health-related, financial and environmental advantages alone make the remote working option a compelling choice.
To name a few:
Helps employees save the cost of their salaries (often hundreds of pounds per month).
Reduces the chance of staff being late.
Staff can start work earlier.
Improved efficiency in reducing the environmental footprint (both locally as well as globally).
This saves the business money (can offer flexible working instead of higher wages).
Improved equality for those who struggle to travel.
Employees are more relaxed.
Employees are protected (if previously they cycled or walked in high traffic areas).
Employees are healthier (if previously they were in traffic or using public transport).
3. Impact on Working Hours
One of the most frequent issues cited by remote working is the impact it has on the hours of work.
‘A survey by the Japanese Institute of Labour Policy and Training (JILPT 2015) of workers who work remotely in Japan revealed there is a problem with the “ambiguity of working and [timeoff’ was the highest ranked disadvantage of remote work for both women (36.4 percent) and males (39.3%). Additionally, research conducted by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHLW, 2014), covering employees in 30 Japanese companies, discovered that 43.5 percent of respondents consider it ‘difficult to distinguish between family and work’. **
Many remote workers find it hard to know when work begins and when it ends. The constant connection to work, especially via smartphones, requires a conscious effort clock out. Instead of being able just leave the workplace at the time of day.
Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the effects of remote working on working hours. The results can vary, especially for different demographic groups. The consensus is that those who work remotely or from home do more hours per week than those who work in offices.
It’s easy to see why this happens. Phone calls or emails that are outside of your working hours. Contact during days off or annual vacation. “20 minutes” to send those emails on a Saturday could easily transform into an hour or two. The effect on the family and social life the process can have are worth talking about.
“Right to Disconnect” laws
In response, a greater number of businesses are now embracing ‘right to disconnect’ laws.
These laws seek to mitigate the negative effects of continual connection to work through securing employees’ non-working time. Sometimes referred to as ‘work-to-silence and never ending’, this topic has been the subject of an increasing number of studies as well as national policies.
When this continuous connection happens frequently, the weekly hours pile up, sometimes without workers even realizing it. And while this might increase productivity in the short-term but the longer-term strains on employees are either unhealthy or impossible to sustain.
4. Sickness
Policy surrounding sickness is fairly easy for office workers to follow If you’re well enough to be able to work, then come in; if you’re too unwell to work, you can take the day off.
For those who work at home the lines blur.
In many cases it is the case that the number of sick days that employees take when working at home diminishes. Since the burden of traveling into the office removed, it’s often possible to be at home, feeling tired or exhausted, but still crank out a little bit of work. With no worries about the dirty look from colleagues, and fearful of being spotted by those who have brought your work with you.
This is good for sickness figures. However, it could be a problem for employers and their employees.
For employees, working when unwell means they’re less likely getting the rest they require to recuperate quickly. I’ve had times where I’ve been sick throughout the night and woke up the next day still suffering from a bad ache, but then began working from home. Then, I’d call it quits and fall back asleep just an hour or so later.
Equally for employers, while your sick employees may be in the office but there’s no guarantee regarding the quality of work they’re able to do.
When an organization is implementing a remote or working from home policy It’s a real balance task of ensuring the health of employees, ensuring the quality of work produced as well as being flexible enough to allow for non-incapacitating ailments.
5. Isolation and team Spirit
Being isolated from your colleagues, as well as from the general bustle of the office could be an additional challenge when you work at home.
Many find that having a peaceful place to work is great to relax and getting lots done.
In my case, I’m writing this from my home office. All I hear is distant tractor noise and the gentle breeze that has just taken from the wood just outside of the window.
Compare this to the work space situated in Old Street, and you can see why I’m grateful for my days at home.
However, after a time and with your thoughts and the occasional phone call to interrupt the silence It’s easy to overlook the excitement of what’s happening’. Based on the Eurofound report one of the major problems facing mobile workers is the lack of access to information sharing at work. i.e. general chat. ***
Today, sharing important information is easy. However, in human terms, there’s some reluctance when you ask your workmate ‘see anything good on the TV last night’ over an email.
Regular meetings or team meetings give this opportunity. A space to speak freely without regard to day-to-day activities and tasks. It can not only help dispel the silence, it can also keep you connected with your team, to build bonds and sustain a energy.
The New World of Remote Working
With the advancement of technology and today’s worker preferences, it’s clear that remote jobs are going to be here to stay.
In order to accommodate this enormous shift, it’s important to understand it. To be aware of the ‘new world of work’ made by new opportunities, standards in addition to new workplace relationships.
The current world of work is essentially separate from time and physical space. In the present, emphasis is on efficiency over working hours and/or place.
It is in need of a different type of management, centered on autonomy and responsibility for employees. One that requires good access to information, positive behavior and trust-based interactions.
It has been recognised that this method of working is based on eight factors that will allow it to work:
Excellent behavior by management.
Autonomy.
Flexibility in terms of hours and working location.
Information is readily available (less structured and less access to information at all places), with frequent communication (both bottom up and top down).
Results-based accountability rather than the amount of time spent working.
Sharing information with colleagues.
Online collaboration with colleagues.
Development possibilities. ***
Remote working has been a part of many of the recent changes in society, which are made possible by advancements in technology.
With the new opportunities and more choices, we need to think hard about how our working life are being rearranged around our rapidly disappearing workplace walls. To create a ‘workplace’ that’s good for both employers and employees in the present and future.
