Remote work has become a more accessible option than ever before, thanks in large part to the pandemic. This has led many businesses to consider whether to adopt a remote team or invest in leasing an office.
While remote work offers businesses the opportunity to reduce overhead costs and provides employees with flexibility, it also comes with challenges such as communication, employee well-being, and monitoring employee progress.
One of the major benefits of remote work is that it allows businesses to hire from a larger pool of potential employees. Geographical location is no longer a barrier, and businesses can recruit talent from outside their local area or even from other countries.
Remote working also offers employees more flexibility in terms of their work-life balance, saving time and money, and providing more time for personal and family lives. It can also increase productivity levels in your business as employees can focus on their work without distractions.
Of course one of the more obvious benefits which will be front of mind for many business owners is the reduction in overhead costs. This isn't limited to the lease of your office space, but extends to things like kitchen and cleaning supplies and other consumables required for office-based working.
However, remote work can also be challenging for businesses that are used to traditional office-based work.
It can be harder to monitor employees' progress and ensure that they are working effectively. Employers must trust their employees and set clear expectations and goals to ensure that they're meeting performance standards.
Another potential challenge of remote working is that it can be isolating for employees. Without the social interaction of an office environment, some remote workers may feel disconnected from their colleagues and the wider workplace.
To counteract this, businesses can encourage communication among remote workers by establishing communication channels to ensure that all team members stay connected. Regular check-ins can also help to monitor progress and ensure that work is getting done.
It's also important to create dedicated channels for social interaction to prevent loneliness and isolation. An easy way to implement this is with a general team chat channel where non-work related chat and banter is encouraged.
In conclusion, while remote work offers businesses many benefits, it also comes with its challenges.
Ultimately, businesses need to trust their employees, set clear expectations, and establish effective communication channels to ensure that remote work is successful.
To learn more about this topic, listen to episode 11 of the Get Savvy podcast ‘From Office to Online: Navigating the Pros and Cons of Remote Work’
