During the past few months, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of people who are working from home. Due to the pandemic and the need for social distancing, businesses have been forced to adapt. Now, more people are working remotely than ever. At the same time, is it here to stay? It is important to take a look at how companies are managing remote employees as well as the benefits and drawbacks of having people who work remotely.
Working Remote: The Pros and Cons
Before businesses decide if they want to keep their employees working remotely, it is important to look at the pros and cons. Some of the benefits include:
- Employees are often more productive when they work from home. There are a lot of distractions in the office workplace. At home, employees have more control over their working environment. They are often able to erase these distractions and become more productive.
- Businesses are also able to save money when employees work from home. Because businesses do not need to have as much space, they can often shed overhead costs that usually go towards utilities and real estate.
- Finally, employees are often happier when they work from home. They do not have to worry about their commutes and often have more control over their schedules.
On the other hand, there are also a few drawbacks of having employees who work from home as well. Some of the biggest drawbacks include:
- It can be challenging to get team members to collaborate with each other.
- It can be hard to make sure that employees are updated on what is happening with the company.
- There are increased cybersecurity risks when companies are not in control of the network connections of their employees.
With these drawbacks in mind, it is important to take a closer look at how businesses are managing these issues.
How Businesses Manage Remote Employees
Due to the challenges that have come with businesses having more employees working remotely, companies have had to adjust. Some of the management methods include:
- Businesses are equipping employees with the technology they need to be successful.
- This technology often has tracking information and advanced cybersecurity measures that keep company information safe.
- Managers are focusing more on the results and not necessarily on the processes, providing employees with more autonomy.
- Business leaders are encouraging employee innovation, keeping them involved in daily processes.
Business leaders are also looking for ways to foster employee collaboration even in a remote working environment.
Remote Work Is Here To Stay: Foster Collaboration
There are many companies who are concerned that collaboration is going to suffer when employees work from home. In order to address this issue, managers have to place their remote employees in a position to foster collaboration. By setting up virtual collaboration spaces that foster private messaging, audio calls, updates, and document sharing, it is possible for businesses to encourage transparent management that emphasizes a culture of mutual support.
The Advisor 