Remote work, also known as ‘work from home’ or telecommuting, has become increasingly popular. Not only is this once-adaptive form of work now commonplace, but 90% of employees say they are as productive or more productive when working remotely compared to at the office.
Remote work allows employees to eliminate commuting times to and from the office, giving them freedom and more time to spend with their friends and families. However, for all its benefits, the migration from office to home is not an easy one for all people. For those who have struggled with working from home, one common pain point is their home-office setups, which weren’t equipped for full-time work.
To maximize your productivity while working from home, try improving your remote office. Below, we’ll discuss four great ways to improve remote offices and keep employees happy.
1. Supply the Right Setup
It’s important to have the correct equipment in a home office in order to be able to complete work efficiently. The set-up that an employee has at home should be very similar to the one they have at the office, from the monitor to the software and programs they have access to. It’s also vital to have a dedicated workspace within the home to accomplish work without distractions.
Additionally, make sure your team has the right equipment, including but not limited to:
- An ergonomic desk and chair
- A functional computeromputer and second monitor
- Sufficient router/internet connection or WiFi range extender
- A webcam and good microphone
2. Communication and Collaboration Software
Staying connected with your co-workers is vital, not only for individual success, but for the organization as a whole. With remote work, walking over to connect with a coworker is not an option, but there is technology to stay connected. Different instant messaging platforms allow employees to quickly relay information with one another, helping employees feel connected even when they’re remote.
Essential communication tools your organization might use are:
- Slack: This is a workplace communication tool that allows employees to connect with one another or touch base for quick internal chats.
- Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, etc: These platforms allow employees and clients to connect virtually, share screens and hold meetings.
- Project management software such as Asana or Monday.com: These tools allow your organization to stay highly organized and improve communication while planning and leading projects virtually.
3. Get Employee Feedback
Reach out for employee feedback to get a pulse on how employees are feeling. Gaining insight to employee needs and thoughts can help an organization be better informed on their employees in the virtual world, and helps remote employees stay connected with the organization. Sending out surveys that anonymously track responses will reveal accurate data in real time. This feedback will provide insight regarding what they need to feel most creative and productive.
Consider sending out a survey with questions such as:
- What do you need to feel most productive?
- Do you feel connected to your team/superiors?
- Where have there been communication errors?
- Describe your ideal work environment
4. Foster Your Team’s Culture
Company culture is vital for the success or failure of an organization. A strong and positive company culture not only assists in the retention of employees, but also employees’ output. It takes more work to foster an outstanding culture when employees aren’t in person on a day-to-day basis. To ensure your organization’s culture isn’t being neglected with remote work, consider the following ways to virtually build company culture:
- Video chats
- Virtual happy hours
- Virtual team-building activities
- Fun activities via communication tools (eg. Slack has weekly trivia competitions)
Society Insurance For Your Business
The future of work might look a lot different than a traditional office full of employees. People enjoy working from home for a number of reasons: less time spent commuting, more flexibility in their schedule, and productivity have all made remote work an attractive feature for many.
Ensuring your employees have the right set-up for a home office plays an important role in remote work. While you focus on making sure your employees are satisfied, Society Insurance will focus on protecting your business. To learn more, contact your local Society Insurance agent today.
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