The remote work trend is growing. According to a study done by Gallup, 43% of employees in the United States worked remotely at least some of the time in 2016. That number is only going to continue to grow. remote work has many advantages for both employers and employees. But with that comes new challenges that need to be managed. In this blog post, we will discuss how to manage remote employees and keep the company momentum!

Remote work challenges for companies and employees

There are many advantages of remote work for both employers and employees. For employers, remote work can lead to increased productivity and decreased overhead costs. For employees, it's all about work-life balance and flexibility.

However, some challenges need to be managed when it comes to remote work. These challenges include communication, security, and company culture, for example.

For companies

Pros

1. Online work is cheaper for companies than traditional office work. There is no need for physical space or for employees to commute to work.

2. Online working allows employees to work from anywhere in the world, which can be attractive to talented employees who want more flexibility in their work lives.

3. Online working can improve employee productivity as workers can take advantage of flexible hours and remote working opportunities.

Cons

1. Online working can be isolating for employees, particularly those who are not used to working remotely. This can lead to lower morale and less engagement in the company's work.

2. Online working can be distracting, as there are many potential distractions available online (e.g., social media, email, etc.). This can lead to decreased focus and productivity among employees.

3. There is a greater risk of security breaches when companies shift to online working, as sensitive company information is often shared electronically.

For Employees

Employees who work online often face several challenges, including:

1. Staying focused and productive when working from home;
2. Managing distractions and interruptions;
3. Balancing work and personal responsibilities;
4. Communicating with co-workers and supervisors;

On the plus side, online working can offer employees many benefits, including:

1. Flexibility to work from home or other locations
2. Ability to take care of personal responsibilities during the workday
3. Opportunities for social interaction with co-workers via chat, video conferencing, etc.

Managing remote employees - tracking progress, engagement, and work hours

There are a few key things employers need to do to manage remote employees effectively:

Keep track of employee progress

Employers should set up a system to track employee progress and ensure that deadlines are being met.

This can be done through project management software, time tracking software, or simply by using Excel spreadsheets.

WorkCERTin is the best tool available to collaborate securely with your team.

Engage with employees regularly

Employees who work remotely can feel isolated from the company. To prevent this, employers should make an effort to engage with remote employees on a regular basis.

This can be done through video conferencing, phone calls, or even just sending regular emails, such as MeetCERTin or IMCERTin, for example.

Make sure employees are working

One of the biggest challenges of remote work is making sure that employees are actually working.

There are a few ways to do this, including using time tracking software, requiring employees to submit daily or weekly reports, or setting up video conferencing during work hours.

Remote work is here to stay. By following the tips above, employers can successfully manage remote employees and keep the company momentum!

Keeping company momentum with remote employees

Assuming your remote employees are adequately engaged and productive, here are a few tips to help maintain momentum with your company:

1. Make sure all employees have the necessary tools and resources they need to do their jobs from home. This includes things like a good internet connection, a comfortable workspace, and all the software and tools they need to do their work.
2. Have regular check-ins with remote employees. Make sure they are staying on task and meeting deadlines, and offer feedback and support as needed.
3. Encourage employees to stay connected with each other and the company culture. This can be done through things like company chat groups, video conferencing, and social media groups.
4. Celebrate successes together. Whether it's a big project victory or just a job well done, make sure everyone feels included in the company's success.
5. Use project management tools like WorkCERTin to keep track of tasks and deadlines;
6. Schedule regular check-ins with employees via video call or text, using MeetCERTin or IMCERTin, for example;
7. Use messaging apps like IMCERTin for quick communication;
8. Encourage employees to participate in company culture activities (e.g., remote happy hours, remote team building games)
9. Use video conferencing tools like MeetCERTin to stay connected with employees;

Information security when working from home

The challenges of remote work regarding security breaches, vulnerabilities, and company secrets are many.

One major concern is that remote workers may be less likely to follow company security protocols or may be more susceptible to phishing attacks.

Additionally, remote work can create a sense of anonymity that can lead to carelessness with company information.

The challenges of remote work regarding security breaches, vulnerabilities, and company secrets include the following:

• Remote workers may be less likely to report security breaches or vulnerabilities for fear of being reprimanded or fired. This can lead to a situation in which malicious actors have free reign to exploit security weaknesses.
• Remoteness can also make it difficult to track down the source of a security breach. If a hacker manages to gain access to company data, it may be difficult to determine where the attack originated from and how to prevent future attacks.
• Company secrets may be more vulnerable when employees are working remotely. There is a greater risk that confidential information will be leaked or stolen when employees are working from home or another remote location.

Dealing with employees that want to work from home - new policies?

You might consider developing new policies for working from home.

For example, you could require employees to submit a proposal outlining the specific tasks they would complete while working from home, and you could set specific hours during which work-from-home arrangements are allowed.

Alternatively, you could allow employees to work from home on a case-by-case basis, after discussing the arrangement with their supervisor.

Conclusion

Overall, remote work can be a great way to maintain company momentum and keep employees engaged. However, some challenges need to be taken into account, such as security breaches and vulnerabilities, company secrets, and dealing with employees that want to work from home.

By following the tips above, employers can successfully manage remote employees and keep the company momentum!

Do you have any other tips for managing remote employees? Share them in the comments below! Thanks for reading!