Working from home is a popular option for many employees. In fact, it was recently discovered that over 12% of workers in the USA were fully remote, with a further 28.5% working from home at least some of the time. While more people may have worked remotely during the pandemic, this trend is likely to stay to an extent.
But what should businesses know before hiring remote employees? This can be different from hiring office workers; remote employees will work wherever they can, so they will need to be treated differently. Thankfully, this post has listed three of the main considerations to look at when working with remote employees.
Use Effective Tools for Communication
With your team split up, it can be difficult to communicate correctly. This type of set up is very different from businesses that work from offices, as they can speak with each other in person if the need arises. Remote working does not have the convenience of this, though.
Working remotely can cause numerous complications if the right communication methods are not put in place. There could be misunderstandings due to messages that have been passed along poorly. If you want to avoid a similar situation from arising, then it is best to invest in a high-quality communication system. The software might allow different features, like file sharing, instant messaging, project management capabilities, and video conferencing.
Depending on the features your business and workforce require, you might choose tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Zoom. It is also important to make use of emails and phone calls when working with a remote team.
Provide the Necessary Equipment
Workers will need the right tools to do their jobs, and this is no different with remote employees. In fact, these employees might require additional help when setting up correctly. This means looking at the equipment they will need to do their job correctly. Employers who hire remote teams should be prepared to provide them with home office equipment.
Equipment like a computer or laptop, headset, microphone, printer, and webcam might be necessary, as well as office stationery and a work-only cellphone. The type of equipment each member of staff will require will differ due to their individual roles, but taking the time to meet these needs will likely improve productivity. This will only boost the business in the long run.
Thankfully, if you already have the equipment, you can hire a service to drop the items off at the employee’s home. Services like Reliable Couriers offer “remote office equipment pickup,” which will see office equipment shipped through same-day delivery.
Build a Sense of Community with Employees
Although your employees will be working in various locations, this doesn’t mean you should not create a positive community. People need to enjoy their work to stay long-term, and this might be even more important with remote workers who are missing so much. However, the communication tools previously mentioned will help you do this, especially as the first step is to identify your employees’ needs.
To determine how your employees feel, you can brainstorm ideas with them or ask them to fill out a survey. This ensures everyone has a voice in discussing this issue. You can then use this feedback to implement specific requests that will improve the workplace community, such as setting up peer-led sessions or developing more inclusive workplace policies.
To conclude, there is a lot to consider when working with remote employees, particularly if this is a recent change to your business. The factors outlined in this post can help employers better prepare themselves and their staff when they begin to hire remote workers.