The widespread outbreak of the pandemic has called for a significant shift in operational procedures for businesses worldwide, with those who have effectively implemented the required adjustments being able to operate efficiently and yield profits.
Although businesses have had to modify their operations, they have discovered that after implementing the necessary changes, they can function normally without any disruptions.
In spite of companies adjusting to the evolving landscape, they encountered fresh obstacles, such as preserving staff productivity when working remotely.
While on-site, workers are obliged to comply with their employer’s guidelines, including working within the designated hours and taking breaks at specified intervals. Additional rules may exist, but the fundamental expectations are unambiguous.
When working remotely, disparate challenges arise compared with those encountered in a typical office setting due to the higher degree of independence provided. The primary issue is determining whether this autonomy enhances or hinders a worker’s productivity and ability to achieve desired results.
With a growing number of companies embracing remote work, it is crucial to uphold workforce productivity in the home office setting. At Works, we have successfully implemented strategies for over a decade to optimise employee output. Based on our experience, we confidently suggest the following techniques as reliable methods for maintaining productivity among remote workers.
Allow them to have freedom
Low employee morale can considerably hinder efficiency. It is vital to keep in mind that many individuals are facing exacerbated challenges in current times. Today’s younger generation must juggle familial responsibilities with their educational pursuits, often in a remote environment, which can be an overwhelming burden.
If employers enforce policies curtailing remote work, it could lead to widespread employee frustration and negate the limited advantages associated with remote work.
Granting workers the ability to choose their own work schedule can be an efficient way to motivate them to perform at their best. If they are capable of finishing their responsibilities within timeframes such as 9am-5pm, 10am-3pm, or 5pm-9pm, this is acceptable. Such an agreement is likely to be well-received, leading to greater diligence and heightened productivity.
Attempt to maintain contact informally
Workers ought to be regarded with respect and confidence. As adults, they should be wholly entrusted, particularly if you have sought external software development solutions.
I concur with your opinion; unquestionably, you should.
Meeting deadlines is imperative, and we must be notified of any potential inability to reach them. How can we guarantee this communication without appearing overly watchful of their advancement?
Platforms like Slack could be employed to maintain uninterrupted communication between teams. This would facilitate the monitoring of project-related conversations in real-time without needing to be a moderator.
An alternative approach is to require workers to update their project progress through a project management application. This enables you to keep tabs on your team’s productivity. Once they recognise that you are aware of their progress, they will give remote work greater consideration.
Provide them with the necessary tools
Have you confirmed that your employees were given all the essential resources to perform their responsibilities while working remotely? Did you furnish them with laptops, printers, and mobile phones, sparing them the need to purchase any equipment themselves?
Remote workers’ chances of completing tasks successfully can be raised by ensuring they have the necessary resources to work from home, as discussed in our post on improving tools for leading remote teams. Managing abundant confidential information safely is critical, and this can only be accomplished by providing up-to-date computers with relevant security measures to workers.
It is not advisable to anticipate that employees will utilise their own technology for work-related purposes, especially during the current pandemic. Demanding that they rely on their personal devices to complete work-related tasks while working remotely is unjustified.
Which solution would you recommend that we explore? Acquiring new laptops and peripherals, or permitting workers to bring their office computers home with them? This choice would exhibit our dedication to employee well-being and, ultimately, improve employee satisfaction and productivity.
Arrange company-wide Zoom conferences
To avoid a potential decrease in productivity due to feelings of disconnection and loneliness, it is crucial to preserve effective communication among workers when they are geographically distributed.
Frequent company-wide Zoom meetings can serve as an effective method for colleagues to stay connected. It is critical that meetings remain professional while also fostering a comfortable environment. To create an enjoyable and productive meeting, adding humourous moments, contests, and chances for employees to share their experiences can be beneficial. Inviting external speakers and entertainment may also increase the meeting’s value.
During my tenure at my former workplace, I learned that the CEO was a zealous guitarist. He frequently kickstarted meetings by presenting a newly-written piece, which was truly mesmerising and had an inspiring impact on the entire team. He was personable and approachable and never prioritised discussions to enhance the company’s profitability. Instead, he chose to organise events centered around employees, showing sincere interest in the well-being of the staff. In return, this dedication was rewarded with a highly motivated and diligent workforce.
You can quickly achieve the same effect with Zoom.
Conclusion
No matter the scale or nature of an organisation, it is feasible to guarantee that employees situated in remote locations are equally efficient as those in traditional office settings. This can be accomplished by executing the appropriate plan.
