A long-term remote work situation is becoming increasingly popular across generations of companies. Companies considering long-term remote work can accumulate larger hiring pools, save money on office space, and expand their assets. If you haven’t thought about this option for your company yet, now is the time to do so.
When companies transition to long-term remote work, many of their current policies become outdated. Because of the change to the work environment, it is best to update your HR policies to aid your employees in the transition and solidify your company’s new values and moral codes. Day-to-day life will look extraordinarily different and therefore requires new procedures and policies.
Converting employees to a permanent work-from-home position causes a disruption in the work culture. Employees will no longer surround themselves with co-workers, and in turn, the work culture decreases. It is crucial to keep the culture you previously built and evolve it to work for remote locations to keep employees invested in the company.
The key to any successful business is communication. A way to keep communication at the forefront of the company is to choose a virtual desktop that all employees share and can contribute to. Communication might become more fluent and more accessible once you are fully remote because workers across multiple departments will become available at more convenient times.
Once employees are fully remote, the lines between work and personal life begin to blur. Encourage your employees to separate the two for a healthier balance. It is easy to wrap ourselves into work when your desk is one room away; instead, block out specific times for your employees to utilize and avoid burn-out.
When your company operated in-person, collaboration was at an all-time high. Because this aspect of the work environment has been taken away, executives need a new solution to keep track of work progress. Prioritize the data you see for projects and documentation to better handle productivity across all employees and positions.
Is your company considering long-term remote work? Weigh the benefits before making a concrete decision. While long-term remote positions are up and coming, some positions and job requirements mean staying in the office. Get feedback from your team, and make a sound decision that can benefit your employees’ work and personal lives.