A global survey conducted in 2023 indicated that 80% of those questioned expressed their approval of the advantages of remote working and would recommend it to others. This figure was 10% lower than the previous years, yet it still demonstrates a widespread inclination towards remote or non-conventional office-based working.
Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, some staff members had the capability of working from home; however, it was not commonplace. Two years on from the pandemic, many employees are now reporting that they have not left their homes for an extended period of time.
With the end of the epidemic in sight, everyone can’t help but ask whether remote employment is viable in the long run.
Advantages
Raised Efficiency
According to Omdia’s Future of Work study, the majority of companies have observed an increase in employee productivity since implementing remote working policies. This finding is in line with pre-pandemic studies on the output of remote workers.
The findings of this research challenge the views of some managers who questioned whether remote workers could be as effective given the potential distractions found in home and other environments.
Cost-Effectiveness
The availability of remote working offers a range of financial benefits for both employees and employers. Commuting costs are eliminated for employees, while businesses can save money on office space and equipment. Studies have found that the annual savings per worker can reach over £8,500.
Recruitment and Retention of Top Talent
According to a survey conducted by FlexJobs in 2023, 58% of respondents stated that they would definitely consider looking for a new job if remote working was no longer an option. 24% of employees indicated that they would be willing to accept a wage reduction of 10-20%, and 21% would be prepared to forfeit part of their holiday time in return for the chance to work from home.
It is reasonable to suggest that businesses could benefit from allowing some form of remote working, as this could make it easier to attract and retain staff.
Disadvantages
Weak Attempts to Work Together
Working collaboratively without being able to physically see each other can be difficult, particularly for those who are not used to working this way. It is likely that much of the collaboration will occur asynchronously, which can be a challenge to adapt to.
Fortunately, working together remotely is doable. Here, we’ll discuss various approaches that may help make that happen more easily.
Burnout
When an employee resides and works in the same location, it can be difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Without distinct boundaries, it is likely that employees may work excessively until they become exhausted.
Stress Deficiency Syndrome
The increase in remote working has had an impact on communication. To support this, there has been an uptake in the utilization of video conferencing for business communication. While this can be beneficial, many employees are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of virtual meetings in their schedules. This has led to the emergence of a new phrase – “Zoom fatigue”.
A recent study has found that feelings of exhaustion following Zoom calls are becoming increasingly common, particularly among female participants. Of the 10,322 female respondents, one in seven reported feeling very or extremely fatigued.
Creating a Sustainable Model for Remote Work
1. Make a Strategy
It is essential to have a comprehensive strategy in place for successful remote working. Collaborating with other managers at your organization and gaining feedback from employees on their priorities and what they need to carry out their duties efficiently is paramount. A potential way to obtain this data is to undertake an anonymous survey.
2. Make Sure They Have Access to the Proper Resources.
It is imperative to ensure that all personnel working on your project have the necessary access to the required software and hardware. Depending on their individual roles, they may require different tools; however, everyone can benefit from improved communication and security solutions.
It is probable that additional measures need to be taken in order to ensure the security of all staff. You and your IT team should assess what additional steps are required and how they can be implemented on each employee’s device.
3. Refine Your New Employee Orientation and Training Program
It is probable that an employee onboarding and training procedure is already in place, however, this will need to be revised to include information and expertise that is specific to remote working. Employees must be proficient in the use of various software and hardware in order to operate remotely.
A strategy must bear in mind that even experienced workers may need to acquire new skills and knowledge to be successful in a changing environment.
4. Preserve a Healthy Work-Life Balance
We have discussed the potential difficulty of achieving a balance between work and home life in the current climate. Maintaining this equilibrium may assist in keeping employees engaged in their roles and prevent them from becoming disengaged.
You could implement a ‘sign-off time’, after which employees must stop all work-related activities, including checking emails. In addition to regular work meetings, consider organizing social events too.
5. Think About Hybrid
It is not necessary to have an either/or approach when considering workplace arrangements. Many businesses today have embraced a hybrid approach where traditional and remote employment coexist. This often means that some employees come into the office on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while the remainder work remotely on the other days.
This arrangement enables employees to benefit from remote working while still enabling the potential for face-to-face collaboration. It is beneficial for both parties involved.
There is considerable potential for remote working to be an effective and sustainable model for today’s workplace. It is essential for leaders to make the necessary investment to ensure their business has an appropriate model in place and that their employees are fully supportive of it.
