25
Jul

Strategies for Maximizing Effectiveness when Working Remotely

Developments in modern day technology have allowed employees to work from home for years. Despite the flexibility it provides, working remotely did not increase in popularity until it was necessary due to the coronavirus pandemic. Overtime, however, many employees are realizing that they prefer the work-from-home lifestyle, with 59% of employees working remotely most of the time according to the Pew Research center. This shift raises important questions when it comes to working effectively remotely, mostly dealing with productivity, work-life balance, and relationships with co-workers. Before diving into strategies to help maximize effectiveness in a remote environment, it is important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of working remotely.

Benefits of working remotely

(according to Forbes)

1. Productivity – Surprisingly, teleworkers are on average 35-40% more productive than their office counterparts. Stronger autonomy, engagement, and flexibility, all play into employee productivity overall.
2. Retention – 54% of employees say they would change jobs for one that offered them more flexibility. The result yields an average of 12% turnover reduction after a remote work agreement is offered.
3. Profits – Organizations save an average of $11,000 per year per part-time remote worker, resulting in 21% higher profitability. More productive and engaged employees helps to increase the profits of the company as a whole.
4. Commuting – With the average American employee’s commute now reaching 30 minutes, the ability to work from home provides an end to commuting altogether.

Drawbacks to working remotely

1. Lack of connection with co-workers – 21% of remote employees surveyed by Gallup said they felt isolated working from home. Reliance on technology for communication, physical distance, and lack of face to face interaction all presents difficulties to the remote worker environment.
2. No separation between work and home life – Although working from home allows employees to spend more time with family and go outside, the lines between work and home become blurry.  53.1% of employees working remotely believed their job made it difficult for them to separate work from home life according to a survey conducted by Joblist. 

Working remotely, effectively

Although there are many different pros and cons of working remotely that must be considered, with some being larger factors than others, remote working has proved that it is here to stay, making the ability to work remotely, effectively more important than ever. In order to increase productivity, effectiveness, retention, and profits in a remote work environment, there are simple strategies to implement as both an employer and employee.

Strategies for an Employee: 

1. Follow a schedule – Setting normal work hours that would be used in an office setting provides a sense of structure, which often helps employees to maintain focus and improve efficiency during the set hours.
2. Eliminate Distractions – Surprisingly, research has shown only a small discrepancy between remote and office workers’ ability to focus on tasks, with 8% of remote employees and 6% of office employees reporting that it was hard to focus on tasks from the Business News Daily. However, eliminating distractions in either workplace environment can help increase productivity. Silencing cell phones, working in an office-like space, and limiting social media exposure are all examples of steps that can be taken to combat distractions.
3. Take Breaks – Even just a simple routine (25 minutes of work/5 minute break) repeated throughout the day can help maximize productivity. Breaks help work to feel less overwhelming when broken into smaller pieces, and most importantly, allow employees to return to work recharged and with a fresh mind.

Strategies for Employers:

1. Frequent Check-Ins – With remote teams, it’s nearly impossible to overly communicate. Focus on checking in with each employee every day or week, use video conferencing when possible for more face to face interaction, and email directly as frequently as possible.
2. Clarify expectations and goals – In order to avoid a lot of frustration and miscommunication, be transparent about scheduling, availability, goals, performance, and feedback. Clarifying expectations beforehand helps to eliminate errors after a task has been completed.
3. Set healthy boundaries – As stated earlier, working remotely can be a freeing yet isolating experience at the same time. As an employer, encouraging self care, limiting hours of availability, and effectively communicating can all be tools to help improve the morale and productivity of the company.

Although the coronavirus pandemic is improving, the percentage of employees working remotely will only continue to increase, making effectiveness in the remote workplace crucial to the success of a company. If you need help creating or implementing your remote work plan, Thompson Consulting Group can help.