As more organizations allow their employees to work from home, productivity challenges among remote workers have gained attention in recent years. The flexibility and lack of a daily commute are two advantages of remote employment, but despite these tremendous advantages, it also has its share of drawbacks.
Many distractions, social connections with fellow workers, and the need to be constantly productive are issues that remote employees frequently suffer with. So the first thing you need is the best work-from-home software, especially if it's a small business. Then you need to identify why your employees aren't performing as much as you'd like.
This article will explore some of the most common distractions workers might encounter and ways we can combat these challenges.
Productivity Challenges facing our employees
Social media is one of your remote employees' significant temptations. It's all too simple to get caught in the unending scroll of Instagram, Tik Tok or Twitter when we have easy access to our phones and PCs, especially when there is no supervision. Most people who use social media at work log on for up to 15 minutes daily. However, about 9.4% of people will spend almost two hours a day on social media on company time. This kind of behavior translates to a loss of time by using social media for more than 40 hours a month on a full-time schedule.
It is also more difficult for remote workers to keep their personal and professional life distinct because they need a dedicated working location. When you work remotely, every place you put down your laptop is your office.
Lack of social interaction is another issue remote employees encounter. Ineffective communication and the inability to meet face-to-face with team members might hinder the development of good professional relationships. While video conferencing has aided in bridging the divide, it still cannot replace being present in the same space as your coworkers.
Combating Productivity Challenges
Giving remote workers the tools and resources they need to do their jobs is another method to increase their productivity. This entails having access to the appropriate software and tools, such as a steady internet connection, noise-canceling headphones, or a cozy office chair. People who work remotely tend to have the worst posture, and a comfy chair can mean a lot. Therefore, these modest expenditures have a significant impact on comfort and productivity.
Additionally, businesses can plan online team-building events like virtual happy hours or game evenings to foster closer bonds among remote workers. This can enhance community and strengthen the bonds between distant employees and their coworkers.
Last but not least, it's critical for businesses to offer remote workers the same advantages as office workers. This includes having access to retirement plans, healthcare, and possibilities for professional growth. In addition, companies can help to lessen the sense of isolation that many remote workers face by treating them equally with other employees.
For remote workers' well-being and productivity, we must promote breaks and relaxation. Working remotely makes it difficult to distinguish between work and personal time, which causes exhaustion and burnout. Employers can set an example for their staff by taking breaks and demonstrating that doing so is appropriate and okay. Promoting the usage of vacation days and encouraging staff to unplug from work during their downtime are two additional ways to promote rest.
In conclusion
Remote work has many advantages despite certain drawbacks; companies would only allow employees to practice it if this were. Unfortunately, many businesses now consider remote work the new golden standard. Because of this, employers must comprehend the difficulties that remote workers confront and collaborate to develop solutions.
Remote employment has the added benefit of giving businesses access to a larger talent pool. Regardless of location, companies may hire the best employees for the job. This creates chances for independent contractors, part-time employees, and those with impairments who may not have been able to work in an office environment in the past. This, of course, comes with its own set of problems, like bridging cultural differences, but the payoff is usually higher.
On a related topic check out our article on the Top 5 PTO tracking software out there!