Many more companies are transitioning so their employees can start working remotely. In a study of 25,000 workers, three out of four said remote work helped them maintain a better work/life balance. And this was before the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.
However, remote work means less direct oversight of your staff. How can you keep track of the hours they’re putting in and the work they’re doing?
Technology is an essential bridge to remote work. Investments in the right software is critical in keeping remote employees productive and in constant communication. By doing this the right way, you can maintain your workforce nearly anywhere in the world.
How to Work Remotely: The Transition Process
- Learn to go Paperless – Storing your valuable documents into a safe and secure log retention program is critical.
- Utilize document management software to help implement paperless storage
- Use remote access to retrieve company data
- Switch to a Cloud-Based Technology – Having the cloud allows you to rid your business of servers, firewalls as well as a reduction in cost for IT services which is a huge factor when considering how to work remotely. There are many other benefits to cloud-based technology, including:
- Work connectivity – The cloud allows employees the ability to collaborate on projects and transmit documents to one another quickly and safely.
- Specific software – Each business is unique and will require specific software that supports remote work such as google docs.
- Have Managers Support Remote Employees – Create daily “check-ins” for your manager to do with your employees.
- Video chats
- Instant messaging and phone
- Provide Multiple Communication Options for Employees – Communication is imperative when working remotely, and email is not enough, so options need to be available such as video conferencing which allow for:
- A reduction in feeling isolated
- Being particularly useful in dealing with complex or sensitive information
- Easier work collaboration to expedite given projects
- Specific Rules Must be Implemented – When working remotely, how things get accomplished is a primary factor, and that is why rules must be put in place, such as:
- Instant messaging (IM) being utilized for urgent matters
- Video conferencing for daily check-ins
- Provide Social Interaction Opportunities – This process is essential for employees that do remote work so they can have informal non-work related conversations, which helps boost morale and creates a social bonding among employees.
- Setting up regular non-work video chats among coworkers
- Scheduling a virtual pizza party or other type of social interaction scenario
- Managing Time and Tasks – Making sure to set deadlines and monitoring progress is critical when working remotely, and how the employees are using their time to get projects completed. Utilizing time management through the use of an app can help keep track of the employees regarding:
- Their work logs – Clocking in and out each day
- Their activity levels – How much work is being completed on a day to day basis
Benefits of Transitioning Your Company to Remote Work
The benefits are two-fold when it comes to how to do remote work successfully. The employer and the employee both benefit financially.
- Employer Benefits
- Saving money on overhead to pay for office space
- Saving money on office supplies and equipment
- Saving money on utilities
- Employee Benefits
- Saving money on gasoline and transportation fees
- Saving money on auto wear and tear maintenance costs
- Saving time by not commuting in heavy traffic resulting in more money for more time directed at work
These are just some of the financial benefits of how working remotely can help both the employer and employee but are there any drawbacks?
Potential Hurdles of Transitioning Your Company to Remote Work
Probably one of the biggest roadblocks with remote work would be cybersecurity issues. Having a top-of-the-line security system in place is imperative. A few of the potential risks and solutions include:
- Using Unsafe WiFi – When dealing with sensitive information, it is critical the remote workers not be allowed to access any unknown WiFi without using a VPN connection.
- Teaching Basic Security Measures – Remote working can leave information vulnerable to the public, for example, if the employee decides to take their work laptop to a coffee shop and walks away, leaving sensitive information available to see.
Creating a security policy will ensure how remote workers will safely utilize vital information, such as:
- List all platforms and tools allowed
- Communication and video conferencing tools
- Cloud storage platforms
- Project management tools
- Supply a step-by-step plan if security has been compromised
- Reporting incident immediately
- Changing passwords
- Have a disaster recovery plan
- Backing up all data using a cloud-based system for backup and restoration
- Keep a recurring schedule for backing up
How do you work remotely when it comes to disaster recovery is where NIC steps in to offer the highest skilled IT professionals to ensure your company’s information will be safe and restored if catastrophe strikes. We understand that every business is unique in their needs, which is why we have a personalized IT disaster recovery consulting service. Some of our other services include:
- IT Support
- Proactive Intervention
- User-Based IT Plans
- Transparent Network Monitoring
- Cybersecurity
- Consulting
- Network Security Services and Solutions
- Scanning Tools and Services to Detect Vulnerabilities
- Dark Web Scanning Services
- Cloud Services
- Virtual Desktop
- Phone and Backup
- Disaster Recovery
- Planning
- Recovery
At NIC, we have a vast array of transitioning tools to help boost revenue in a safe and secure fashion. Our regular maintenance practices allow for constant improvements to be made by using a proactive intervention.
When asking how to do remote work successfully, NIC has the answers. Contact us for help transitioning your staff to work remotely in a safe and effective way.
