Almost a year has passed and businesses continue to assess the efficacy of their strategies in the wake of the pandemic. Although some companies like Facebook and Twitter have embraced digital alternatives post-crisis, others are mapping out their comeback to the traditional office space.
How have employees responded to remote work in this scenario? Would you propose to your manager that you be granted permission to work from home to fulfill all of your responsibilities?
Following the outbreak of the pandemic in 2009, Gallup discovered that 65% of American workers preferred to request the opportunity to work remotely, even if it was only part-time.
Studies have shown that granting employees the opportunity to work remotely can lower staff turnover, increase productivity, and prove cost-effective for employers. The advantages of remote work extend beyond enhanced efficiency; distributed teams can additionally yield financial, environmental, and morale-related perks.
Amidst the pandemic, numerous enterprises are enthusiastic to revert to their standard office schedules. Who is making the right call in this case? It is challenging to determine, however, what is beyond question is that there are several assignments that can be accomplished from a remote setting. Additionally, this crisis has presented us with a chance to evaluate our individual inclinations.
Here at Works, we have been operating remotely for a considerable duration. As a distributed recruitment firm, we are well-versed in the advantages of this work style and have guidance on how to optimize it. While effective communication with your manager can be daunting, it is always attainable.
Here are a couple of suggestions:
Approaching Your Employer Regarding Remote Work
Honesty.
Prior to presenting a request for remote work to my employer, it is worth contemplating the potential benefits of telecommuting. Telecommuting could be advantageous in numerous regards, for instance, evading lengthy commutes and the inconvenience of working undesirable hours. Additionally, it could result in heightened productivity and decreased stress levels, as well as an enhanced work-life balance.
This possible alteration could yield favourable effects on your work-life balance. Whether you intend to begin a family or desire to establish a more stable lifestyle in a countryside location, it is critical to specify your requirements to ensure they are satisfied while simultaneously benefiting your company.
Remote work can serve as an excellent method to boost your approach and rapport with your team, especially if you occupy a managerial position. Excessive bureaucracy and meetings can prove to be a wasteful application of time and energy. It could be advantageous to propose to your manager that virtual meetings and an efficient reporting system as a substitute could be a more effective approach – this could be accompanied by specific illustrations. Additionally, a feedback mechanism could be instated to augment the trust and communication between your team and the larger office.
Assuming you are confident in your decision, any explanation will suffice. If you consider it to be rational, your manager is likely to agree as well.
Create an Elaborate Plan for Remote Work.
Articulating your proposal for remote work to your colleagues is a crucial initial phase. While you may manage to persuade your superiors, it is your team that you will be collaborating with the most. In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, there was a transition to more economical remote work settings, and due to the present global pandemic, the volume of individuals seeking remote work has escalated significantly, providing you with numerous instances of remote work being carried out triumphantly to draw inspiration from.
To begin, establish a workable schedule. Determine your work hours and attendance days based on what you can realistically handle. For instance, you could suggest being present in the office on Mondays and Tuesdays to be in sync with your team and to scheme out the goals that can be accomplished while remotely working. Pinpoint approaches to make remote work feasible for everyone and to keep tabs on your advancement on assignments and chores.
Having a precise comprehension of the tasks, timeline, and your duties is crucial when undertaking a project. Prior arrangement of effective communication channels can aid in guaranteeing that your work is valuable and not an inconvenience to your team.
Give it a Shot!
It is vital to keep in mind that not all concepts may be practical when put into action. You have proposed your idea, underscoring the probable benefits for your boss and team, and have made arrangements to tackle any doubts or reservations. However, you may not be privy to all potential problems until you try to execute it, unless you have a rocket science background.
At Works, we appreciate the significance of establishing a robust basis for triumph. We have comprehended that having a sturdy foundation is critical for any team to accomplish its objectives; therefore, we give immense importance to the onboarding process when greeting a new team member.
It is recommended to take the lead and suggest a probationary period of one month. During this period, it is crucial to arrange one’s work in a manner that would result in time and effort conservation in the future. Additionally, it is essential to possess the flexibility to recognize when external assistance or resources might be mandatory to accomplish objectives.
The suggested one-month trial would prove advantageous for team dynamics as well. If we are willing to collaborate with our co-workers to discover an appropriate resolution, they will not regard us as attempting to impose a new method but rather as striving to develop productivity in the workplace.
Lastly, Enjoy the Process.
The only thing left to do is to maximize its potential. Abide by the scheme that you created with your team and invest ample effort into reaching your objectives.
Displaying early on that remote work can be advantageous is significant. Perfection may be unattainable, but delivering your utmost effort and gearing up for success will facilitate your growth and assist you in realizing your aspirations.
Therefore, do not delay! If you desire to work from home, simply request permission from your supervisor. John F. Kennedy often cited a renowned passage from Dante Alighieri, an Italian medieval author: “The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral crisis.”
My suggestion: utilize the present economic climate as inspiration to differentiate yourself as an imaginative, diligent employee.
If your job application is unsuccessful, do not be alarmed. There is always an opportunity in every challenge. Additionally, we can offer guidance and a fresh viewpoint due to our abundant experience in recruitment and remote work.
