The concept of remote work has been gaining momentum in recent years, and its potential is earning increasing recognition. Modern technological advancements have enabled businesses to recruit top talents from all corners of the globe. Studies have demonstrated that remote teams tend to be more effective compared to conventional teams, which explains the growing popularity of remote work among employees. Remote work promotes optimal mental wellbeing and increases productivity, hence the rationale behind our blog that solely focuses on highlighting the many benefits of remote work.
In addition, there are different helpful resources that remote teams can leverage to promote efficient communication and collaboration. These resources include books and software. Conferences have also been organized in recent times to further support remote work, with this year’s edition being the Running Remote conference which was held in Bali.
Despite the increasing knowledge of the advantages of remote work, some companies are still hesitant to employ remote workers. Our organization, alongside several others, has been advocating the merits of remote work yet there is still reluctance from some organizations to transition and take on their first digital nomad. So, what could be the cause of this reluctance? We are glad you asked this question.
Allegedly Catastrophic Instances of Remote Work.
Positive stories rarely receive as much attention in the media as negative ones, hence some individuals who are ill-informed about remote work may only be familiar with the most adverse examples, leading them to possibly formulate an opinion based on headlines without thorough research.
Yahoo!’s failure is a poignant reminder of the repercussions of flawed decision-making. We have previously explored this issue in detail, but to summarize: when Marissa Mayer was appointed CEO, her attempt to improve collaboration by summoning all remote employees to a company-wide meeting drew significant backlash, causing Yahoo! to lose a considerable number of employees. Eventually, Mayer resigned and remote work at Yahoo! remains a feasible alternative to date.
The Bank of New York Mellon recently attempted to emulate the business approach of Yahoo!, but unfortunately, it did not yield favourable results. In response, they requested a meeting with their remote employees to discuss the acquisition, but met with significant resistance. Consequently, they opted to defer the purchase until they had further consultations, and their persistence eventually led to a successful outcome.
The reality is that remote work may not be suitable for certain businesses or teams, but this does not warrant discrediting the concept entirely. As the old adage goes, different people have different preferences; remote work may be the right decision for you, but others may not share the same viewpoint.
They Foresee it as Too Difficult or Costly.
For small businesses, allocating funds for information technology (IT) can be a daunting undertaking. Additional expenses such as office equipment, server space, software as a service and internet connectivity may make the prospect of adding more expenses quite discouraging. Furthermore, companies need to adjust their organisational framework in order to cater to remote workers, such as creating new contracts if planning to employ workers from other countries. This raises questions on how human resources should tackle this situation.
To reduce expenses, it is probable that you already possess the necessary IT infrastructure for remote work. Codes, data, documentation and other materials are typically stored in the cloud, enabling remote workers to operate from anywhere using their own devices. New hires can commence their duties promptly if granted the required Dropbox privileges or provided access to the network.
Dealing with Human Resources can be an arduous undertaking. At Works, we are committed to alleviating the stress and streamlining the process for you. Rather than starting from scratch, our seasoned personnel will handle all the legal matters connected with hiring your next remote superstar, including contracts, freeing you up to concentrate on making your new addition feel at home.
They Haven’t Seen It or Experienced It Themselves.
Numerous individuals experience resistance when it comes to adapting to the notion of working with a remote team, since they are more accustomed to the conventional office environment. Nonetheless, alternative approaches such as task management software, online communication tools and file sharing possess several benefits, enabling teams to effectively collaborate even when working remotely.
When we launched our podcast, we aspired to delve into subjects like these. Every week, Luis interviews remote employees to obtain insights into their experiences and the process of establishing their work environment. There is no one definitive approach to managing a geographically distributed team; it necessitates experimentation to determine what works best for your team. Fortunately, numerous ardent telecommuters offer valuable advice and stories to assist others in benefiting from the same perks.
They Want to be in Complete Control.
At some point in their careers, a majority of people have encountered the exasperation of dealing with an excessively inquisitive manager. Such individuals frequently interfere, continuously checking on progress and demanding regular updates, causing disruptions and hindering employees from focusing on their work. This can be incredibly frustrating.
Management encounters a significant challenge when confronted with the prospect of their staff not being located in a single physical office. Without the option of casually dropping by and monitoring the progress of their employees or being aware of the number of bathroom or cigarette breaks taken by personnel, managing such a situation can be quite daunting.
The challenge we face is not strictly with remote work, but rather an issue of invasive micromanagement. The quality of the work produced should remain consistent, irrespective of the geographical distance between colleagues. Therefore, when making hiring decisions, trust your judgement, and assess employees based on their output rather than the duration of their presence in the office.
They are Unaware they are Already Involved.
A geographically distributed team refers to members working from various locations, often remotely. As a company, it is vital to anticipate the possibility of employees requiring to work away from the office as a result of illness or family emergencies. For multinational corporations, time zone disparities and language barriers are a frequent phenomenon that can also apply to contractors, business associates or clients. Comprehending how these factors could impact company activities is critical.
It is probable that you possess a better understanding of remote work than you give yourself credit for. Have you ever participated in a meeting through a conference call? Or collaborated on a project with others, sharing files via email or cloud storage? If so, you may already have some familiarity with remote work. We recommend considering switching to a cloud-based version control system, as it can significantly facilitate the process of remote work. Wasn’t it easier than you thought it would be?
Assumptions Regarding Remote Workers.
It is regrettable that some individuals wrongly believe that those who work from home are either not serious about their job or are loners who lack social interaction. This is far from reality. For numerous individuals, the flexibility and convenience of working from home have allowed them to efficiently manage their workload and achieve success. Moreover, working remotely does not imply missing out on social aspects of work since people can still interact with colleagues and clients through communication tools such as Zoom and Skype.
It is commonly believed that remote workers have a challenging work environment, however, this is far from reality. If you still have doubts, please read on to learn more about the everyday routine of telecommuters. These outdated assumptions will undoubtedly become irrelevant.
They think that only employees would benefit from it.
It is unquestionably a desirable perk for employees, and while it might add some administrative complexity for the company, it could help retain an experienced developer who has recently had a child, or attract a highly skilled individual to join the team. In the end, this policy can only be beneficial to the employees, rather than the company as a whole.
It is evident that there are countless benefits for a business that supports remote work. We have previously outlined the cost savings in terms of operational expenses, enhanced productivity, access to a more extensive pool of potential employees, and a higher rate of staff retention.
Beware of Security Threats.
If you plan to grant a third-party access to your company’s systems, your IT manager may have some concerns. Security should be a significant consideration since if the remote team members are using their own devices, it is crucial that they keep their antivirus software up to date. Moreover, if they are working from a public area, such as a café, there is a risk of their device being stolen, for example, to use as a flash drive. This could potentially raise red flags for your security analyst.
On the other hand, there is no need to worry about safety concerns that may arise when working remotely. The technical proficiency of the ‘nerds’ and ‘geeks’ has enabled the development of necessary tools and security protocols for effective remote work. Hence, it is feasible to maintain a high level of cybersecurity while working with a remote workforce.
This is something that everyone will want.
It seems that the majority of individuals aspire to work remotely, according to a sample by Global Workplace Analytics indicating that up to 90% of individuals would prefer to do so. Hence, if you establish a precedent for remote work, it is probable that others will want to follow suit. It is difficult to find any fault in this. After all, remote work has numerous potential benefits, including increased productivity, higher employee loyalty, and reduced costs. Is it truly a negative that more people are choosing to work from home?
Don’t accept anything less than the best
At Works, we are committed to linking the most skilled remote workers in the world with employers. As a completely remote company, we can provide you with a wide range of outstanding job opportunities in a much shorter timeframe than other staffing agencies. If you are eager to explore the realm of remote work, we would love to hear from you soon.
