Remote working has been proven to increase efficiency. However, it is hard to know if it will work for your business. That is until you try it. This guide will show you how to start planning remote working for your business.
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Outline remote working guidelines and policies
One of the most important steps is to outline remote working guidelines and policies. This gives your employees a framework, so they understand how it will differ from office work. This should include start and end times, breaks, sick days, and more. You should also include a section on how you will monitor progress. For example, if you are planning to use employee monitoring software, this should outline how it is going to track progress.
Put more effort into onboarding
Meeting someone on a video conferencing call is completely different from meeting them in person. When you interview someone in person, you can get a good idea of their demeanor. That is why if you are planning to onboard people over video conferencing, you should put more effort into the process. Include in-depth tests, multiple interviews, and a casual meeting with the team.
Schedule regular and recurring meetings
When your team is working remotely, it is easy to feel disconnected. They might all be working just as hard, but it is much harder to keep track. That is why you should schedule regular and recurring meetings. This gives the work week a structure and gives employees a chance to share progress and air any concerns.
Educate employees on remote working best practices
For remote working to be successful, you need to let employees know what you expect from them. For example, you need to tell them dress code, flexible working policies, and the process for taking time off. On top of this, you should educate them on remote working best policies. For example, if you expect them to regularly update their line manager on their progress, they need to know.
Organize regular team outings
One of the main downsides to remote working is that you can lose the camaraderie that comes with an office environment. With people working from home, they are less likely to bond with their coworkers. To combat this, it is important to schedule regular team outings. This could be a simple lunch or a weekend of team-building activities.
Find the right tech for remote working
Successful remote working relies on having the right technology. From time-management software to video conferencing software, you need to ensure that employees have everything they need to work efficiently. This should be put in place before your team moves to remote working and it should be reviewed regularly. You should also consider outsourcing certain departments to increase efficiency. For example, Data Cube Systems specialize in outsourced IT solutions for businesses.
Conduct regular reviews
To ensure that remote working is the right choice for your business, you need to conduct regular reviews. This should involve the satisfaction of employees, profit and losses, and general efficiency. The more effort and time you put into reviewing remote working processes, the more likely it is to be successful.