Remote working is here to stay. It isn't just being pushed forward by the COVID-19 pandemic but a lot of organisations are actually realising the benefits of remote work. There have been more h to show that things like productivity and employee wellbeing have not suffered but had quite the opposite reaction. However, the transition to remote work isn't always easy and in order to enjoy the benefits of remote work, organisations need to make sure they support and help employees adjusting to the new normal.
What are the immediate things the management should do when remote working is implemented at the workplace? Here are 10 crucial tips to keep in mind.
1. Approach with a flexible mindset
The most important thing behind remote work is flexibility. You must understand that working from home is never going to be the same as working in an office. There are always going to be certain distractions and differences that require flexibility. You want to ensure workers can set and adjust the hours they work around the other needs within the house.
2. Establish ground rules and set clear expectations
Flexibility doesn't mean you don't need rules and expectations. Remote work isn't a free pass to slacking off or finishing projects later. Your employees need to know what is expected of them in terms of priorities, milestones and goals. The clearer these expectations are the easier it'll be to perform.
This also means having a set of ground rules. For example, you need everyone to be aware of when they are expected to answer queries or calls. While flexibility is key it doesn't mean that different work hours shouldn't be communicated clearly, for example. So make sure to set expectations and rules in terms of productivity and availability.
3. Track and monitor progress/work hours
You should also monitor your employees. This doesn't mean minute-by-minute management but rather staying on top of progress and work hours. You don't want to have employees work extra hours and demanding overtime pay without acknowledgement, for instance. It is crucial you pick payroll software that allows employees to input their own work hours. This helps you stay on track with what your employees are doing and also provides feedback to the employees in terms of their productivity.
4. Determine various communication methods
Communication is the key when it comes to remote work. But you don't want to rely on a single tool - especially, as many people respond differently to different forms of communication. Use a mix of tools from email, video conferencing and good old-fashioned calling. Be aware that certain employees will enjoy different frequencies, with some requiring more feedback than others, for instance.
5. Remember to have fun times, too
It is easy to turn all remote working communication to that of work. But a big part of the office culture are those conversations and moments that aren't about work. A big problem for many employees in the pandemic was the loss of these funnier office times. Remember that remote work can be quite lonely and your employees do want to occasionally have a chat that isn't just about the deadlines.
6. Facilitate connections
Related to the above is the need to create connections. You want your employees to connect with other employees, not just their management or closest team members. Team building activities are still important and you don't want all communication to be between just one or two members. You should also make sure everyone is able to connect with anyone within the organisations and therefore, having a contact book available for all employees can be an important way to ensure people can communicate with each other. Now, if your remote team consists of people working in different locations, make sure this is explained as well - you don't want people calling a team member on the other side of the planet in the middle of the night.
7. Use technology to your advantage
Whether it is about communication, collaboration or basic maintenance, such as accounting, you want to use technology to your advantage. Remote work is possible today thanks to these technological advances. It is important to find the tools that help you make working easier, whether it is virtual data rooms or payroll management software.
You don't want to choose too many different things to use, however. Find a balance between the tools and their usability. For example, too many different platforms for collaboration can end up hurting your team's ability to be productive.
8. Avoid micromanagement
It is very easy to feel the need to start micromanaging everything. You wouldn't be monitoring every minute of your employees' work hours if they were in the office. You shouldn't do it when they are at home, either. As mentioned earlier, set clear rules and expectations and then trust your employees to follow them. If you start noticing problems, then start asking questions. But do not keep checking up on how projects are getting along every minute of the day.
9. Offer support and guidance
The key is to make sure your employees feel supported even when they aren't in the office. You need to make it clear that support and help are available, whether it is in terms of time management or relaxing. Different employees work differently in varying environments. While others might flourish in working remotely, others might find it difficult. It is important to check up on employees regularly, not in terms of the specific work project, but how they are handling remote work in general.
10. Remember positive feedback
Above all, you need to remember to provide feedback. You don't want to just tackle feedback when it is negative, however. It is important to celebrate the times when things are going well and employees are actually achieving their goals. Make sure you provide lots of positive feedback and take time to celebrate the big achievements just as you would do if you were in the office.
