Tips For Shifting A Business To Remote Working

Businesses everywhere have come out the other side of the pandemic with a few bumps and scuffs. The new age of business has become a somewhat unfamiliar playing field than it was before. Remote working has been around for some time but has escalated dramatically due to COVID-19.

As a result, more companies are enjoying the hybrid working situation, with some even going to the extent of fully remote working. So how can a business transition effectively to remote working in 2022? This guide will share everything needed to shift to this post-pandemic working environment.

The rise in hybrid and remote working

The shift to hybrid and remote working has become so due to COVID-19. With many businesses having to close up shop and work from home, companies had to adapt or risk going under quickly.

For some businesses, remote working was already a practice; for others, it wasn’t even an option within the workplace at the time. However, the business industry generally adapted well and, as a result, provided proof that many businesses could work remotely if needed.

A recent study found that 35% of respondents said they could work from home full-time, with another 23% being able to work from home one to four days a week.

With hybrid and remote working here to stay, what tips can businesses use to move over to this way of working?

Seven tips for shifting a business to remote working

Remote working can be easier said than done, especially if the company doesn’t have all the specific tools and equipment already set up. For businesses with remote work experience, there’s likely some setup already in place.

If the business is approaching it with minimal experience, here are several tips to help make the transition as seamless as possible.

1. Understand what employees want

Before transitioning into remote working, it’s essential to understand what employees want. Not all employees want to work from home due to limited space or a preference for more social interactions.

While remote working might be popular right now, it’s not something that a business should shift dramatically to if there’s no major need for all employees to do it. There may be some employees that flat out refuse to work from home. Others will revel in working from home and may find it improves their productivity.

Speak to employees and understand precisely what’s needed regarding their working situation. If there’s any worry that remote working may not be suitable, then a hybrid mix might be required. Otherwise, going back to the usual working style is still appropriate and very much still needed.

2. Introduce software for internal communications

Introducing internal communications through software is essential. Communication can cause problems in the workplace if it’s lacking. With remote working, the risk of losing more communication is very likely if the right software isn’t in place.

Multiple platforms keep remote workers connected to the rest of the company. These include Slack, Trello, and Asana, to name but a few. All of the mentioned are well worth a look and offer free and basic subscriptions, depending on the requirements needed by the business.

3. Measure employee success carefully

When implementing a remote working element in the business, it’s necessary to look at how the employees are performing from home vs in the workplace. For example, some employees may benefit from working from home because they need more flexibility around their home life and still get the same amount of work done.

For others, it might be that working from home has a more positive impact, improvising productivity. However, it may also have the opposite effect and cause the employee to work much less.

Find ways to measure the employee’s productivity and success at working from home. It may help to make better-informed decisions on whether remote work suits that individual.

4. Set up employees in their homes efficiently

To help employees fully, it’s a good idea to set them up in their homes properly. That gives them the best opportunities to succeed in this new work style. From hotspot rental devices to help provide a straightforward internet connection to delivering them with ergonomic furniture.

Just because they’re working from home doesn’t mean they shouldn’t get the same privileges as they would in the workplace.

Have a checklist of requirements needed for remote working and ensure the list has been ticked off before leaving the employee to their own devices.

5. Retain some form of in-person work if needed

Some businesses will take like a duck to water over remote working. It’s why some have even gone to the extent of going fully remote post-pandemic. For others, it can be a case of working but not being the be-all and end-all to losing in-person work. For example, it might be that in-person work is still required for the type of business being run.

Every business is different, and what works for one may not work as effectively. However, if some form of in-person work needs to remain, don’t feel afraid to put your foot down as an employer.

Many businesses are opting for a hybrid work style, offering the opportunity to work from home as and when required. However, while remote working has proved beneficial, we all still crave some social interactions.

Of course, the metaverse is one thing to come out of the pandemic’s growing popularity due to remote working. However, this doesn’t beat the real-life experiences of being in a workplace or attending business events.

6. Keep breaks part of the work schedule

With remote working, employees can easily feel like they need to continue working through lunch breaks, etc. For employers noticing that commuting for some is no longer required, they may be tempted to contact employees earlier. However, providing employees with regular work breaks is important to help contribute to a healthy work schedule.

Be sure that the breaks are being kept at home, just like they’re encouraged within the workplace. As far as work breaks go, they need to be encouraged by the employer as employees will often feel self-conscious that taking time off during the working day isn’t appropriate.

However, employees are more likely to be productive with their efforts when providing regular breaks.

7. Get feedback from employees

It’s important that employees are happy with their work. That said, getting feedback from them is necessary to continue the success of remote working or hybrid working where applicable.

Make sure to get regular feedback from the employees working from home to get suggestions on what can be improved. Be sure to ask for feedback from those working in the office too. They, too, may have their own opinions on how it works with some staff working from home.

Transition to a new style of working for the business in 2022

It’s not for everyone, but remote working may prove a major success for some businesses looking to do it. Not only can it save money, but it can improve productivity. However, it’s worth remembering that it doesn’t work for every business and may be worth assessing.