Since the pandemic, there has been a significant rise in searches for “remote work jobs” or “work-from-home jobs” in the job-hunting landscape. Working from home (or remote work) essentially refers to work done at a location that is not within commuting distance of the employee's usual workplace.
There are many pros and cons to remote work, and some may find that they are more productive when working from home – because they can craft their schedule and eliminate distractions – compared to in an office. Whilst others may miss the social interaction and collaboration that comes with working in an office. Ultimately, it depends on the individual's preferences and needs. With that, determining if a remote (or hybrid) workforce is right for your team may be a tricky task. Here, we discuss the various benefits of remote work and how or why you should consider optimising it in your workforce.
While there are many advantages of remote working – with different benefits for different types of people – some of the positive outcomes are:
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Of course, every advantage also comes with possible downsides – depending on your personality and work style. Some downsides may include the following:
Difficulty in separating work and home life, which may make it feel like you're always working
Before allowing your team to work from home, consider their work style and requirements: If your team is working on a project that requires a lot of collaboration, it may be better to have them work in the office so they can communicate. Working from home may be a better option if your team is working on a digital project. Consider the following factors:
If you choose to allow your team to work from home, a few workflow tools can help make the transition smoother. Some of these functions include:
Communication tools:
Communication is critical when working from home. Members can use various communication tools to stay in touch with team members, including email, instant messaging, video conferencing, and project management software.
Time-tracking tools:
Time-tracking tools can help keep everyone on track and ensure that work is done. Many tools are available, including time-tracking software, time clocks, and online timesheets.
Productivity tools:
A myriad of productivity tools can help team members stay organized and on track, including task management software, to-do lists, and calendars.
What’s worth exploring are Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) tools. Not only are they optimised for business use, but these platforms also allow for seamless workflow and collaboration from anywhere in the world.
Once you have considered your team’s work style and requirements, you can allow them to work from home. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Some teams may be more productive when working from home, while others prefer social interaction and collaboration. Ultimately, it depends on the team’s preferences and needs.
If you decide to allow your team to work from home, be sure to set clear expectations and guidelines. For example, you may want to set specific days or times when everyone must be available to work, or you may want to require that work be done during business hours. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different work methods, to test productivity and efficiency. INTERLUNAR is here to help. If you’re ever in a rut regarding the decision to go remote, contact the team to explore customised solutions for your workforce.
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