Remote employees are becoming a more common occurrence for companies everywhere. This working remote trend can be highly beneficial to both the employee and the employer when done correctly. But oftentimes, the cons outweigh the pros if you don’t know how to efficiently and effectively set yourself or your coworkers up for remote work.
It’s important to be aware of typical working-from-home hurdles in order to be prepared with solutions for those setbacks. The following descriptions highlight what to avoid and what to be aware of so you can maximize the effectiveness of working from home.
The biggest—and probably most obvious—downfall is lack of face time with management and coworkers. Depending on the type of work you do, it may be difficult for managers to track your progress remotely. That puts the added responsibility on yourself to keep up with performance and progress. Also, missing out on regular interaction with coworkers may negatively affect teamwork quality or even engagement and morale. If you have a strong desire for people to contact on a regular basis, working from home may not be for you.
To keep these struggles at bay, make an effort to show your face regularly. Whether you choose to only work from home on certain days or you’re a full-time remote employee, be sure your name and face are attached to your projects. Skype and similar services are a great way to stay very well connected even if you can’t make it into the office in person.
Another working from home setback is that it’s not meant for everybody. While some enjoy a quiet, undisturbed setting, others may prefer the busy hum of an office to keep them motivated. A great deal of self-motivation is needed to successfully work remotely. Keeping a tidy, welcoming workspace is a good way to give you that motivation boost to keep your day going.
Working from home can be fun, effective, and beneficial when done correctly. Once you’ve worked out the kinks in your remote office plan, you can effectively work from anywhere!
