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Consumer Handbook: Remote Work Isn't A Passing Fad. It's Here To Stay

Microbiz Mag/www.microbizmag.co.uk
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https://www.microbizmag.co.uk

People were working from home before the pandemic, but the events of 2020 made a perk into a necessity. Teams made the shift; now, not everyone wants to go back. For many, remote work just makes sense. It’s not a passing fad, it’s here to stay. Whether you’re an employer or employee, here’s what you should know.

During the first part of 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found that 22.7% of working Americans were still working from home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s fewer than the number working from home last summer, when BLS first started gathering data.

People made the shift in 2020 to reduce their risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19. The main benefit was staying well and helping other people do the same. However, as vaccines have become available and infection rates have dipped, many workers and employers continue to do their work from somewhere other than the office because remote work provides several benefits: improved work-life balance, people spend less time commuting, healthier eating, and increased productivity.

However, a few months into the pandemic, some workers found themselves surprised by some harsh realities of remote work. While most people envisioned laid back hours working from the beach or cozy on the couch while the dog napped at their feet, the reality was something very different.

Childcare duties and work tasks don’t always mix. For most, in-person school wasn’t an option at the end of the school year, and summer camps and many childcare options were closed. Parents had to care for kids and do their jobs at the same time. Also, work schedules blurred; because employees had flexible schedules, some felt they needed to be available for longer hours. Personal interaction became scarce, too, and video meetings don’t provide the same level of interaction as seeing co-workers face-to-face every day.

If your teams will continue to work remotely going forward, maximize productivity and engagement with these tips:

  1. Set clear communication rules. Document and review exactly when and how staff members should keep in touch.

  2. Clearly define job responsibilities. Many roles changed over the past year. Make sure tasks and pay are still appropriate.

  3. Check in frequently. Managers should both ask how their employees are doing and provide feedback at regular intervals.

  4. Create connections between co-workers. Have virtual coffee breaks or regular team huddles. Take time for team building activities. It may feel artificial at first, but social connections are crucial for long-term engagement.

  5. Provide the right tools for the job. Give them the hardware, software, office supplies and other equipment they need to do what you’re asking of them.

  6. Review data security procedures often. It’s easy for workers to forget cybersecurity concerns when they’re in the privacy of their living room or a cozy corner of the coffee shop.

  7. Celebrate achievements. Recognize individuals and teams that reach goals or create growth.

Cape Girardeau native Whitney Quick is the former Regional Director of Better Business Bureau in Cape Girardeau, MO. She joined the Cape Chamber as Vice President of Programs and Leadership Development in May 2023. Quick is a graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School and Southeast Missouri University where she majored in public relations.