Our survey results reveal that hiring managers have found remote work experiments more successful than expected and now anticipate using a greater percentage of their workforce remotely going forward.
But organizations clinging to the notion that they must return entirely to office environments could risk seeing talent leave for other companies, while organizations willing to embrace change will see plenty of advantages and opportunities come their way.
Technology
Technology used in remote work is always changing. Video conferencing software and collaborative tools have become more prevalent as employers strive to increase communication and productivity. Companies are also turning towards AI/ML technologies which automate tasks and increase efficiency.
Workers are taking advantage of technological innovations by opting to work from home more often, taking advantage of its flexibility to focus on work-life balance more effectively and save money commuting to and from work.
Long-term remote working has been met with some criticism by employees who fear the culture will suffer as a result. Companies have responded by encouraging a sense of community and teamwork through activities such as offsite retreats, casual virtual meetings and birthday celebrations; employees often wish to continue remote working even once offices reopen; this suggests flexible work arrangements are here to stay; such changes could be spurred on by people’s desire to gain greater fulfillment from their jobs.
Workplace Culture
Culture at work doesn’t just form with slogans or annual meetings – it emerges through every action taken at work – from onboarding new hires to creating an inclusive workplace culture. With remote working becoming more commonplace, companies must work to create strong cultures that unite all their dispersed teams together.
Remote workers face one of the greatest challenges: interaction and isolation among colleagues that can lead to burnout. To combat this challenge, remote teams should make more deliberate efforts at connecting – this may involve virtual meetings, team bonding activities or using Time Doctor’s recognition feature which rewards positive behaviors among employees.
One key component of developing an outstanding remote work culture is clearly communicating expectations and procedures to employees, particularly newcomers to their roles. Establishing clear communication channels will give newcomers confidence that they can manage tasks on their own.
Workplace Environment
An effective remote work environment relies on having the appropriate tools, culture and people in place. The key is creating a virtual work space that mimics what was experienced at an office – in terms of communication, collaboration and workflow.
An effective remote work environment also includes providing employees with flexible workplace schedules that facilitate both on-site and off-site work – often known as hybrid models. Employees appreciate flexibility as it can attract talent while simultaneously decreasing turnover rates and increasing employee retention rates.
Remote working opportunities exist across numerous industries, from computer and IT to accounting, finance, marketing, health care (via telehealth software), and marketing. Businesses report cost savings associated with reduced office maintenance expenses (i.e. electric and supply bills), no commuting expenses as well as happier and more productive employees when employees work remotely.
Community
During the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home became part of everyday life for millions of people worldwide. People could choose between working from their own homes, coffee shops or coworking spaces or traveling the globe while meeting the requirements of their jobs.
Initial concerns among companies about working from home led them to believe it would result in lower productivity; however, studies showed otherwise; it actually increased productivity and allowed employees to get more done than before. Employers are also employing new strategies for encouraging team collaboration among remote workers such as offering cloud-based communication tools for communication and file sharing.
People enablement places HR in a position to support all team members in being successful, and allows managers to hire talent based solely on skills and qualifications without regard for location or other personal characteristics. It will prevent bias such as gender, age or ethnicity from impacting hiring decisions – reducing chances of bias affecting hiring decisions; consequently enhancing hybrid work as the new norm.