At times, when it’s really not convenient for people to be all crammed in one place, we need to figure out how to make remote work be as (or more!) efficient as regular work. Everyone has got their own opinion when it comes to working remotely; some love it, others are skeptical about it, some flat out don’t like it. So what’s the reality, then?
Well, as pretty much everything else in life, it’s not completely black or white. Much depends on our discipline and communication skills to maintain a proper working environment that works for everyone. Here are a few pros and cons we’ve recognized that appear when having your team working remotely:
On the bright side, remote work provides some interesting perks for team members. They might work on a more flexible schedule, if possible, and also do it while wearing their most cozy clothes. This often helps us feel more relaxed while doing our jobs.
Additionally, the mere fact of being able to work remotely can improve a person’s emotional state. If they have some sudden craving for a snack they can just go and grab it from their kitchen, or go to the bathroom peacefully…now THAT is a great thing!
The #1 advantage we’ve noticed of working remotely or from home these days is that it keeps the team from unnecessary commuting to work which also contributes to stress reduction and brings down expenses.
On a personal safety and health note, working from home also keeps us from exposing ourselves from crowded rooms where others might be sneezing or coughing, or touching the same doorknobs a hundred other people have touched before. In the actual context, it’s a must to keep health and safety above everything else.
Now, it’s not all peaches. There are downsides to working remotely, too, and the first, perhaps most noticeable, and arguably the most important one, is a necessary change in communication dynamics. Isolation might not be quite as natural for some, and it’s not the same having a coworker a few steps away and asking them for help than having to wait for a reply online or on the phone. This can lead to a slower working pace and even creative blocks.
As a consequence, we can lose some efficiency. Certainly, there are people who are highly productive when working alone (and could actually prefer this, so yay for them!) but there are others that need interaction to bring their A-game. It’s always a challenge for employers and employees to find the best working method, but being aware of these challenges is the first step to adequately addressing them.
To wrap things up, working remotely is an entirely different dynamic of managing the workforce. The balance between keeping a healthy mental state while also maintaining the quality of the work is key.
Here at UassistMe, we have developed countless methods for developing a successful work from home culture; from regular virtual meetings to constant team communication – together, we’re making working from home a great asset to our company!
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