After almost 12 months, businesses are still evaluating the effectiveness of their strategies in light of the pandemic. While some organizations, such as Twitter and Facebook, have taken up remote solutions in the aftermath of the crisis, others are making plans to return to their physical offices.
What have been the employees’ reactions to remote working in this case? Would you suggest to your manager that you be permitted to carry out all of your duties from the comfort of your own home?
After the 2009 pandemic hit, Gallup found that 65% of American employees would prefer to ask for the option to work remotely at least part time.
Research has indicated that offering employees the option of working from home can reduce staff turnover, promote productivity, and be cost-effective for employers. The benefits of working from home are not limited to improved efficiency; remote teams can also provide financial, environmental, and morale-related benefits.
Despite the pandemic, many businesses are eager to return to their regular office hours. Who is right in this situation? It is difficult to say, but what is certain is that there are plenty of tasks which can be completed from home. Additionally, this crisis has provided an opportunity for us to assess our individual preferences.
At Works, we have been working remotely for an extended period of time. As a remote recruitment company, we are familiar with the benefits of this way of working and have some advice on how to make the most of it. Effective communication with your manager can be challenging, but it is always achievable.
Here are a few pointers:
How to Approach Your Employer About Telecommuting
Honesty.
It is worth considering the potential benefits of telecommuting before making a request to my employer. Telecommuting could be beneficial in many ways, such as avoiding long commutes and the inconvenience of working unsociable hours. Additionally, it could lead to increased productivity and reduced stress levels, as well as improved work-life balance.
This potential change could have positive implications for your work-life balance. Whether you are planning to start a family or looking to create a more secure lifestyle for yourself and your family in a rural area, it is important to detail your needs in order to ensure they are met while also benefiting your business.
Working remotely can be a great way to improve your approach and relationship with your team, particularly if you are in a management role. Unnecessary bureaucracy and meetings can be an inefficient use of time and energy. It might be beneficial to suggest to your manager that holding virtual meetings and using an effective reporting system as an alternative could be a more efficient approach. You could illustrate this by providing examples. Additionally, a feedback system could be implemented to enhance trust and communication between your team and the wider office.
As long as you’re sure of your choice, any justification will do. If you think they’re reasonable, your supervisor probably will too.
Make a detailed strategy for working remotely.
Presenting your case for working remotely to your colleagues is an important first step. You may be able to convince your superiors, but it is your team who you will be working with the most. The 2008 financial crisis saw a shift to more cost-effective remote working locations, and due to the current global pandemic, the number of people requesting remote working has risen significantly, giving you many examples to draw from on how it has been done successfully.
To start, establish a work schedule that is achievable. Set your office hours and days of attendance according to what you can manage. For example, you might suggest attending the office on Monday and Tuesday to stay up to date with the team and plan out the objectives that can be achieved while working remotely. Identify ways to make remote working accessible to all and to track your progress on projects and tasks.
It is essential to have a clear understanding of the tasks and timeline, as well as your responsibilities, when taking on a project. Establishing effective communication channels beforehand can help to ensure that your work is productive and not a burden on your team.
Try It Out!
It is important to bear in mind that not all ideas may be achievable in practice. You have presented your suggestion, highlighting the potential advantages for your boss and team, and have made preparations to address any queries or objections. Nevertheless, you may not be aware of all potential issues until you attempt to put it into action, unless you have a background in rocket science.
At Works, we understand the importance of establishing a solid foundation for success. We have come to realize that having a strong foundation is essential for any team to achieve its goals, which is why we place great emphasis on the onboarding process when welcoming a new team member.
It is advisable to take the initiative and propose a trial period of one month. During this month, it is important to structure one’s work in such a way that it will result in time and effort savings in the future. Furthermore, it is critical to be flexible enough to identify when external help or resources are necessary in order to reach objectives.
The proposed month-long study will also be of benefit to team dynamics. If we are willing to collaborate with our colleagues to find a suitable solution, they will not perceive us as attempting to introduce a new approach, but rather as attempting to enhance productivity in the workplace.
Finally, Have Fun with It.
Now all that’s left to do is maximize its potential. Follow the plan you’ve made with your group and put in plenty of effort to achieve your goals.
It is important to demonstrate early on that remote working can be beneficial. Perfection is not attainable, but delivering your best effort and preparing yourself for success will aid your development and help you to achieve your ambitions.
Thus, do not hesitate! If you wish to work from home, simply ask your manager for permission. John F. Kennedy often referred to a famous passage from Dante Alighieri, an Italian author of the Middle Ages: “The darkest depths of Hell are reserved for those who remain neutral in times of moral crisis.
My advice: use the current economic climate as motivation to distinguish yourself as a creative, hard worker.
If your application is unsuccessful, this is not a cause for alarm. There is always an opportunity to be found in every challenge. Furthermore, we can provide advice and a different perspective due to our extensive experience in recruitment and remote working.
