As the number of companies allowing employees to work remotely continues to rise, so does the number of people taking advantage of this new way of working. But with this new freedom comes a whole new set of challenges for both employers and employees.
Here are the most common mistakes companies make when going remote, and how to avoid them:
Zero or barely any documentation
When working remotely, it's important for employees to feel like they're part of a team. One way to do this is by creating a culture of documentation. This means making sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to what they're working on, and how their work is affecting the rest of the team.
Failing to create a culture of documentation can lead to a lot of confusion and chaos. Employees may not know what they're supposed to be working on, or how their work affects the rest of the team. This can lead to frustration and wasted time and energy.
To avoid this, make sure you create a culture of documentation in your remote workplace. This means setting up guidelines for how documents should be created and shared, and making sure everyone is on board with these guidelines. You may also want to consider using tools like Notion or Trello to help keep everyone in sync.
Not setting clear expectations
When working remotely, it's important to set clear expectations for both employers and employees. Otherwise, it can be easy for things to fall through the cracks. Make sure you know what your employees are working on, and what you expect from them. And make sure your employees know what you expect from them, too.
One way to set clear expectations is to create a work schedule. This way, everyone knows when they're supposed to be working, and what they need to do. You can also use tools like Asana or Trello to assign tasks and keep track of deadlines.
Another way to set clear expectations is to have regular check-ins with your employees. This way, you can make sure everyone is on track, and address any issues that may come up.
Not giving employees enough autonomy
When working remotely, it's important to give employees the freedom to work how they want. Otherwise, they may become frustrated and feel like they're not being given the opportunity to do their best work.
One way to give employees autonomy is to allow them to set their own hours. This way, they can work when they're most productive, and take breaks when they need them.
Another way to give employees autonomy is to let them work from wherever they want. This way, they can work from home, a coffee shop, a co-working space or wherever they feel most comfortable.
👉 Read: 5 ways to change up your work environment for improved productivity
Not providing enough support
When working remotely, it's important to provide employees with the support they need. Otherwise, they may become frustrated and feel like they're not being given the opportunity to do their best work.
One way to provide support is to create a dedicated remote work policy. This way, employees will know what's expected of them, and how to get help if they need it.
Another way to provide support is to set up regular check-ins with employees. This way, you can make sure everyone is on track, and address any issues that may come up.
Not investing in the right tools and resources
When working remotely, it's important to invest in the right tools and resources. Otherwise, employees may not have everything they need to do their best work.
Some of the things you'll need to invest in include:
A good internet connection
Employees will need a reliable internet connection to do their work. Make sure you invest in a good quality router, and consider getting a backup internet connection, like a 4G hotspot.
Employees will need a reliable internet connection to do their work. Make sure you invest in a good quality router, and consider getting a backup internet connection, like a 4G hotspot. The right software: Employees will need the right software to do their work. Make sure you invest in licenses for all the software they'll need, and consider getting a subscription to a service like Office 365.
A comfortable workspace
Employees will need a comfortable place to work so consider giving employees a stipend to set up their home office or allow them to use Workly when they need it.
👉 See: Workly for employers
Staying local
Employers that limit their recruitment to local areas are missing out on a wealth of talented remote workers. By limiting their search to local candidates, employers are narrowing their pool of potential employees and may miss out on the best candidate for the job.
Remote work has many benefits, including improved productivity and lower costs. And with the rise of technology, there are now more tools than ever to help remote workers stay connected.
Employers that limit their recruitment to local areas are doing themselves a disservice. By widening their search, they could find the perfect candidate for the job, who may not live near them.
If you're an employer, don't limit your recruitment to local candidates. Consider opening up your search to remote workers. You may be surprised at the talent you find.
Failure to communicate
When working from home, it's easy to under-communicate. This is because employees may not be in the same physical space as their colleagues, which can lead to misunderstandings.
This is detrimental because it can lead to miscommunication and inefficient work. Colleagues may not be able to easily ask questions or share ideas, which can slow down the work process.
To avoid this, employers should invest in communication tools like video conferencing and chat software. This way, employees can easily communicate with each other, regardless of where they are.
Conclusion
As more and more companies go remote, it's important to remember the importance of communication and setting clear expectations. By providing employees with enough autonomy, support, tools and resources, you can help them do their best work from anywhere in the world. And by widening your search for talent to include remote workers, you'll be able to find the perfect candidate for the job. By investing in communication tools and staying in close contact with your employees, you can avoid the common pitfalls of working remotely.
If you're thinking of going remote or are already working remotely, keep these things in mind to set yourself up for success.
