With work-life balance becoming a major concern, more people are turning to remote work as an option. While some people may be concerned about the lack of face time with coworkers, working remotely offers a host of benefits.
For some, remote work can be a great way to reduce stress and improve morale. But it’s important to remember that this style of working isn’t for everyone.
Flexibility
Flexibility means the ability to work when and how you want, and it can help you achieve your goals. However, it can also create challenges if it’s not implemented properly.
One of the most common ways that employers implement flexibility is through flexible work schedules. These can include flex shifts, compressed workweeks or working from home on certain days of the week.
These programs are typically used by employees who need to adjust their work schedules because of personal reasons, such as caring for a family member or being a single parent. They are often used to improve the employee’s productivity and quality of life by allowing them to stay at home or in an alternate location when their personal situation is most difficult.
The key to successfully implementing a flexible remote work program is to establish and enforce clear expectations about scheduling availability, establishing consistent communication methodologies and using the right tools for working from home. It’s also important to check on productivity and performance regularly to ensure that everyone is on track.
While some companies may find that a rigid and restrictive policy that requires staff to be present in an office 5 days a week isn’t ideal, others are finding success by offering flexibility as a regular part of their workplace culture. For example, GM’s CEO, Mary Barra, recently announced that flexibility would be the company’s default policy.
To succeed in this new paradigm, managers must first assess their current cultural approach to flexibility. They must decide whether they lean more toward accommodation or boundarylessness and how those policies are shaped for different jobs.
Depending on the outcome, managers must consider how to implement the true principles of flexible working. This will involve rethinking what it means to be flexible and to align the interests of both employees and employers.
This is an ongoing process, and it will take time to determine what arrangements work best for both parties. Then, they must be willing to experiment and try new approaches. This is why we encourage companies to pilot flexible work arrangements before making them the permanent policy.
Community
The word community is often used as a buzzword these days, but it can also be an important concept for achieving goals. Essentially, it’s a group of people who have something in common – a shared factor, such as a family, geography, religion, or life stage – that enriches the lives of its members.
Whether it’s a group of coworkers, an interest group, or an affinity for a certain brand of coffee, finding people with similar interests can be a great way to boost your mental health and work-life balance. You can find a community online through a Slack channel, social media, or forums that focus on your favorite hobbies or interests.
Remote workers can also benefit from communities that are based in their own area, which can increase their chances of meeting new people and forming lasting friendships. Utah’s Rural Online Initiative, for example, organizes a remote worker meetup once a month to promote the digital economy and help rural entrepreneurs and businesses succeed in the tech space.
Liu said it’s important for employees to explore a community before they commit to it, whether that means looking at the community’s content, joining a group or attending an in-person event. That way, they’ll know if it’s right for them and if it can enhance their remote work experience.
According to Liu, communities are an important part of remote work because they offer a sense of belonging and help to strengthen existing bonds. They can also be a good place to connect with fellow remote workers and share insights about working from home or other workplace issues.
However, it’s important to note that not all communities are created equal. Some focus on professional development, while others are more focused on personal interests. Choosing the right one can make the difference between a great fit and an unproductive experience.
Some of the best remote work communities are available on Slack, where you’ll be able to connect with other remote workers in your area. You can even sign up for the RemotelyOne slack channel, a members-only community that welcomes location-independent professionals to collaborate on projects and discuss all sorts of things.
Communication
Remote workers need to communicate with colleagues whose time zones and language barriers may be different from their own. They also need to communicate with people who are working from the same location or collaborating across teams.
This can be a challenge, and it’s not a skill that comes naturally to remote employees. However, it’s essential for achieving goals and maintaining a strong company culture.
Companies that foster a culture of remote communication can increase productivity, team morale, and overall employee engagement. This is especially true in times of uncertainty, when the quality of communication between staff members and management is essential to success.
It’s important to have a well-documented communication architecture, including how each channel is used and when it should be used. This helps everyone understand the importance of communicating clearly and avoiding oversharing, which can lead to confusion or misunderstandings.
The architecture should include designated tools for synchronous communication, such as team meetings and 1:1 discussions. It should also include tools for asynchronous communication, such as instant messaging applications and project management workspaces.
Having all these channels in place can help streamline communications by eliminating tab and context switching. It can also help people stay focused on the work they’re doing, rather than wasting time hunting for information or missing important details.
When deciding which tools to use, consider how important each tool is to your team’s workflow. For example, a project management platform may be the most appropriate choice for teams that use it frequently. But, a chat application like Slack may be more appropriate for a team that doesn’t use it often.
Another key consideration is how to share and track status updates about work. This can be done through a project management platform or a shared document like a spreadsheet.
While asynchronous communication is the most common way to share and track progress with a team, it’s still a great idea to have a central place where you can discuss any updates. You can do this through a company chat or even a private group on Slack.
Work-Life Balance
Regardless of your role or the amount of time you spend at work, it is important to maintain a healthy work-life balance. This will not only help you stay healthy but also increase your productivity and make you a happier, more engaged employee.
It has been found that employees who have a healthy work-life balance are more productive, take less sick days, and are happier in their jobs. This benefits not only the employees but also their employers.
As remote work becomes more popular, it is vital for companies to focus on creating a culture that promotes work-life balance. By doing so, employers can improve their staff’s health and well-being while ensuring that they deliver the best possible service to clients.
Many people believe that working remotely offers better work-life balance than a traditional office job. However, this isn’t necessarily true, as studies show that remote workers often work more hours than those who are in the office. It also doesn’t alleviate the challenges of back-to-back meetings, always-on expectations or constant distractions that are common in office settings.
The most effective way to achieve a work-life balance is to set clear boundaries. For example, don’t answer calls or texts from your family members outside your normal business hours. This will also help you avoid the dreaded ‘always on’ culture that can blur the line between your professional and personal lives.
Another tip is to block off certain hours on your calendar. You can even change your status to “away” or use automated messages to send emails and messages at those times. This will help you establish clear lines of communication with your coworkers and clients, which can also be a great way to reinforce a work-life balance culture in your office!
Taking breaks to get outdoors, exercise and enjoy time with loved ones are other ways to improve your work-life balance. These activities can give you a boost of energy, help you unwind, and allow you to recharge.
Aside from these tips, it is also important to find the right work-life balance for you and your unique situation. This will ensure that you are getting the most out of your remote career and achieving the goals you have in mind.