It wasn’t too long ago that employees had no choice but to work in a company building, but with the increasing use of mobile devices, this is becoming another relic of the past. According to a Gallup survey, 43% of American employees spent some time working remotely. Of the perks staff members say they want, this is among the top. Offsite work and flexibility are also major factors in a person staying at a job longer.
Whether an organization already has remote workers or is looking to allow the option, businesses often need to overcome several obstacles to create a successful remote work situation.
Communication
One of the keys to an effective off-site workforce is good communication. Communicating with co-workers in the office during a 9-5 shift looks much different and may not prepare employees for working from other locations. That is why enabling workers with tools that simplify and strengthen communications inside and outside the four walls of the organization is essential.
Stick to regular activities like team check-ins and weekly meetings ‒ only using different methods such as video chats. Instant messaging applications such as Slack are also a great way to stay in sync with others. The more your team stays connected, the easier and more productive they will be when working remotely.
As with any office job, determining employee availability is necessary. Some flexibility is a given when it comes to working remotely but setting clear ‘office hours’ will improve communications between all parties.
No matter how much a team sends emails and uses other messaging platforms, at some point, they will need to meet face-to-face. Keep this in mind and be prepared for such cases. For example, if your organization has a major policy change that would need explanation and discussion.
Security
Just as with a normal work environment, security for remote work situations is imperative. Most important is protecting the devices in use and keeping the networks secure. Malicious software and malware infections are also a huge threat.
You can protect against these problems through a variety of methods. Firewalls and strong passwords can be considerably helpful in keeping your devices safe. A virtual private network is the best option for employees working out of the office. The last thing an employer wants is to have staff members using public networks, which is extremely dangerous because traffic is unsecured and cybercriminals often target these networks.
A unique issue to remote work is that onsite IT support is not always readily available. That is why it’s essential to teach employees about the different threats to their devices and how to evade all types of cybersecurity attacks. Set up guidelines, policies, and educational sessions to aid staff members in these areas. No matter how many security measures are in place, true safety is established with user education. Security can be like auto-correct: certainly, it’s helpful, but cannot be the sole way in which an organization secures itself.
Adapting to current trends is key to every organization’s success
Today’s employees expect changes in the workplace that ultimately make their lives easier; remote working included. Not only does telecommuting options lead to longer employee retention, but it also speeds up the hiring process. Staff members will greatly appreciate the ability to work on their own time and will be able to start working faster due to not having to go through the troubles of relocating.
Although the task may seem daunting, especially if your organization is new to the idea, success comes down to communicating effectively and ensuring all devices and networks are secure.
Still unsure of how best to build remote work options? Consult with the experts, give Netzbahn a call.