8 Things to Consider for Remote Work Arrangements

After the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work arrangements have become one of many employees' preferred ways of working. Although most companies are now using a hybrid working model, some employees now know that they do better working from home, following their own schedules instead of submitting themselves for the typical nine-to-five schedule.

Employers are now listening to the needs of their workers, and the former are now speaking up for themselves. These changes are now more visible due to the inclusion of Generation Z in the workforce. According to studies, a flexible work arrangement is the number one exigency of this generation in job opportunities.

For today's article, we'll explore what a remote work arrangement is and explain the different aspects that companies and employees must consider for a remote work schedule.

What is a remote work arrangement?

Remote work consists of a job opportunity that allows employees to work outside the office headquarters. This concept enforces the idea that work doesn't necessarily need to be completed in the office to be successful. This way of working is also known as telecommuting.

Remote working has become quite popular in recent years, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is also necessary to note that companies are opting for a hybrid workforce that combines a remote work team arrangement and onsite workers, especially because offices are now reopening. Certain employees now know that they do better in remote work arrangements.

Reasons why some people prefer working remotely

1. A more flexible lifestyle

People often prefer this way of working because they won't be sticking to a repetitive routine on a daily basis. As the worker isn't needed at the office all day, they can focus on other areas of their lives. This way of working is often preferred by people who take care of children or an ill relative. Other reasons may be that the employee wants to accomplish educational goals, for instance.

2. An improved well-being

A Forbes study found out that remote workers face less stress and experience higher morale than onsite peers. However, one of the main reasons why people feel stressed at their workplace is due to commuting. If we eliminate this factor, people will be allowed to work in more comfortable environments where they can act up whenever they feel stressed quickly.

Reports also found out that there is less absenteeism as workers become more focused and engaged in the work they’re doing.

3. More passion

As mentioned above, some employees work better outside the office. When they are in a more appropriate environment, they can remove certain distractions quickly and arrange their workstations as they wish. As they work alone, they are granted a different perspective regarding their work.

Reasons why companies are favored by remote working

1. Higher productivity

If we take into account all the factors mentioned above, this flexibility awards employees with more productivity. It is well-known that remote employees engage more in their jobs in comparison with their onsite peers due to the comfortable environment they’re in. A Forbes study revealed that a great part of managers that included remote workers within their organization charts experienced better productivity levels.

2. Reduced costs

If you divide your team between remote workers and onsite attendees, you'll find out how much you can reduce the costs related to rent, utilities, and even furniture. Additionally, a hybrid remote work schedule can be beneficial for companies as a report revealed that companies could save up to $22,000 for each remote worker yearly.

3. Engaged employees

Prosperous companies often grant their workers more flexible work opportunities. A hybrid workforce is capable of this. Thus, you'll see how employee satisfaction and happiness increase as your employees become more engaged in the work they do. According to a Softchoice study, the majority of employees would quit their current job if a new opportunity that offered them the chance of working remotely appears.

What to consider for a remote work arrangement

Now that we know what a remote work arrangement is all about and how it can be beneficial for both workers and employers while hybrid remote working, let's see the different things that both parties must consider while being involved in this concept.

1. Supervising a remote worker's job can be a challenge, as well as communication.

Employers that outsource to freelancers, for instance, must know that it can be hard to reach them if they share a different time zone. Although multiple tools that help with this task exist, what would be best is to consider switching to an asynchronous communication model. This way, no matter what the time is, you can expect an appropriate answer to the problem you’re currently facing.

It is also worth noting that employees may also struggle with receiving managerial support. Thus, they may feel "overlooked" and "distance" from their workplace. Therefore, it is important to have constant communication and implement community-building activities that strengthen the bonds your workers have with your team and the company in general.

It's important to provide different communication options.

Communication via email isn’t enough anymore. Remote workers need other means to reach their employers or leaders, such as weekly or monthly virtual meetings or video conferences. Although instant messaging and virtual meeting apps now exist, it is also worth noting that remote workers are more prone to feeling isolated, which means that constant communication can help them feel more in touch with their peers.

2. You must provide each worker with the necessary information regarding their position.

Some employees struggle with access to certain information. This problem seems to be highly noticeable among new hires. Although many people can consider this a dumb problem, it actually is one of the biggest struggles that remote workers face daily.

Most of the issues associated with remote work arrangements are related to communication. It is impossible to keep up with a remote worker in the same way we do with someone we have next to us during several hours of the day. Once we've understood this fact, it will be easier for us to accommodate a different communication model.

Autonomous Hybrid Work for these communication problems. Not only does it provide you with a virtual meeting platform, but you will also have a platform for managing all your workers simultaneously.