Is Remote Work the Future of Our Workforce?

Whether you're all for remote work or are still on the fence, there's no doubt that it's something that will become more of the norm over the coming years. With many businesses realizing that work can still get done outside of their expensive office buildings, we can expect even more businesses to either go fully remote or at least incorporate more flexible work from home policies. Either way, it's important that those in leadership positions put a focused effort into building employee engagement strategies that translate beyond office walls. Read on to learn some key things to consider in order to make remote work productive over the long term.  

Does your team have what they need to work comfortably? 

While having a home office would be ideal, it's not a reality for many people. Reach out to your team to ensure that they have what they need to work comfortably from home. Formulate a strategy to get them the essentials– a comfortable chair, a suitable desk or working space, and adequate tech to help them get their job done. Companies like Hoppier are now empowering businesses to be there for their teams from a distance. Check out their Hoppier Flex program to learn how you can easily connect employees with vendors so that they can get what they need. 

Establish boundaries

 

One of the biggest concerns that come up in conversations about working from home is the shifting concept of work-life balance. Having the office in the house can cause boundaries between work and home to blur, which can cause employees to overextend themselves and burnout more frequently than usual. Work-life balance needs to come from the top in an organization. Have executive teams lead by example and encourage employees to shut down after a certain time, or to incorporate flexible working hours so that they can have clear downtime away from their laptop.

Leave room for real life

While it's nice to avoid the traffic that comes with commuting to the office, many employees now have to deal with the everyday traffic in their homes. Children, pets, noisy neighbours, and doorbells can cause distractions and interruptions throughout the workday. Be prepared for these things to pop up, and communicate to your team that they're nothing to worry about. 

Communication is key

No matter what tools you use, make sure that your team has what they need to openly communicate with each other. Remember that not everybody has the same communication style, so encourage managers to get to know their individual team members and plan to sync with them in a way that works well for them. 

Trust

Lack of face-to-face interaction can be a concern for many managers who are heading newly remote teams. Managers must trust their employees and their processes to ensure that work will get done and deadlines will be met. 

How have you been handling the transition to remote work? Let us know your biggest piece of advice! 

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