Has your management team contemplated the role remote work will play in your organization’s future? If not, now is the time to do so. While some companies are back in the office, others are planning on working remotely indefinitely. Regardless of what you choose, it’s a good idea to start planning now for what lies ahead.
When deciding when to come back to the office, consider your company’s size, location, and culture, as well as the degree of success of your current work from home program. Some organizations, such as tech companies, might have an easier time transitioning than other organizations due to the nature of their work. The same goes for individual departments within an organization.
If you feel that long-term remote work is the best way forward for your team, here’s how to prepare for it:
Get Feedback
Employee feedback is crucial to developing your long-term remote plan. If you’ve already been working remotely for a while, send out surveys or hold meetings to find out what’s working and what’s not. Are meetings running smoothly? Is the organization lacking? Do people feel like they need more structure? How is your communication? Now’s the time to make necessary changes before they become bad habits cemented in your work-from-home system.
Assess Software and Security
Up-to-date technology and cybersecurity are paramount when working remotely. Depending on the size of your company, up to thousands of individuals now have access to your company’s valuable data from the comfort of their own homes. Make sure that your security is top-notch before embarking on a long-term plan for remote work.
Train Managers
Great management is the backbone of any remote work program. If your managers are organized, communicative, and proactive, their team will follow suit. To help your executives hone their remote management skills, consider training, seminars, or management courses.
Update Contracts
If you’re going to be working remotely for the long haul, now is the time to rethink benefits and update your contracts. Odds are that employee responsibilities and schedules will look different when they’re working from home. Furthermore, employees might need fewer resources at work, but other forms of support for remote work. Take the time to incorporate these changes into your new benefits packages and work contracts.
When it comes to long-term remote work, it’s best to be prepared. While working from home can improve productivity by nearly 75% and greatly reduce attrition rates, you’ll only get out of your remote work plan what you’re willing to put into it.
