One of the major aftereffects of the covid-19 pandemic in office culture is the increase in remote work and work-from-home situations. Even several years on, many organizations are embracing a hybrid work model that allows for a healthy combination of remote work and physical office work.
As the air clears out and such hybrid models mature, there are several considerations to be taken. Unlike the make-do solutions that were enforced in a rushed-up manner during the lockdowns, these solutions must be well adapted to the long-term needs and requirements.
Advantages and disadvantages of working from home
If remote working is so good, why aren't organizations offering it as a permanent option? There are many reasons why a hybrid work model could be the best option. Yet, working from home still has its fair share of advantages and disadvantages. Let’s list a few of them.
Advantages
Better productivity
Working from home has proven to be an excellent booster for productivity. This claim is supported by several surveys and reports. Employees have more time in the day for other activities that’d otherwise be spent travelling to and from the office. They also have more flexibility in choosing their optimal work hours and have better options to focus on their job.
Cost benefits
Companies can save a lot of money from not having to pay for rental expenses, resources, and more.
Access to talent
Once organizations are freed up from the geographic constraints, they can hire global talent across different cities and get access to expertise that isn’t available locally.
Disadvantages
Burnout and emotional distress
While productivity has indeed gone up, it has invariably resulted in employee burnout and emotional distress. Many employees working from home have reported feeling anxious and burnt out. This could partly be because of uncertainty in the future as well. If managers cannot find a viable solution to deal with this issue, it could make working from home unsustainable in the long term.
Lack of formal communication
Working from home results in people over-communicating when in doubt. This can mean trouble if the company lacks proper communication channels and may even increase employee burnout.
Risk of losing talent
This is a rising concern in the tech industry. Without having the proper means to engage employees when they work from home, they might feel the need to switch companies. However, it should also be noted that not everyone enjoys working remotely. Most employees prefer flexible work arrangements if they’re to stay at the company.
Policy updates
Companies need to revisit their workplace policies and adapt them to work-from-home working models. This could be both expensive and time-consuming. Not all roles can be managed remotely, and not all jobs can be performed remotely either.
Cloud migration
The digital transformation necessary for remote work can be costly and sometimes has a lower user experience compared to digital natives.
Read on: The Real Cost Of Migrating Your Application Stack To The Cloud
How companies benefit when employees work remotely
Having listed the possible disadvantages of working from home, it’s essential to say that most of those concerns can be avoided with the right policies, solutions, and calculated strategies. There’s no doubt about it that remote work is the way forward. It’s because the benefits are so immense to ignore, here are some interesting stats that further illustrate it:
- A survey by Gallup observed that 59% of US workers who had to work from home during the pandemic would prefer to continue working from home.
- A report from the International Workplace Group says that 80% of prospective employees would reject an offer if there were no flexible working options.
- Companies get access to a global talent pool. This is supported by a Global workspace survey where about 78% of companies agreed.
- Crain's Future of Work survey reported that 78% of HR professionals feel that flexible schedules are the contributing factor towards employee retention.
How software can help remote companies
Everyone accepts that remote work can be beneficial to the company and its employees. But making it viable is only made possible with the help of the right technology and work policies.
Collaborative software such as Trello, Slack, Teams, and more have helped fill the void left without a physical office presence.
Here are some of the major challenges that remote work can cause and how technology can solve each issue:
Monitoring of work
Task management software like Trello, Asana, Monday.com and Vault ERP enables teams to track progress in real time, ensuring transparency and accountability. These tools allow managers to assign tasks, set deadlines, and monitor workloads, while employees can update their progress and collaborate efficiently. Automated notifications and integrations with other workplace apps help streamline workflows, reducing the need for constant status updates. With a clear overview of work in progress, businesses can identify bottlenecks early and optimize productivity without micromanagement.
Remote work process organization
Cloud-based storage solutions like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive provide centralized access to important files, making it easier for remote teams to stay organized. These platforms allow real-time collaboration, version control, and secure document sharing, ensuring that everyone has access to the latest updates. By eliminating reliance on physical storage and email attachments, companies can improve efficiency, reduce redundancy, and enable seamless document management, no matter where employees are working from. This also ensures that critical data is backed up and easily retrievable in case of any technical failures.
Collaboration and communication
Effective communication is the backbone of successful remote work, and cloud-based tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom have revolutionized how teams interact. Instant messaging, video conferencing, and integrations with task management tools make it easier to collaborate in real time. Features like threaded conversations, file sharing, and automated reminders help reduce email overload and keep discussions organized. These tools also foster team engagement and a sense of connection, preventing isolation and ensuring that remote employees can work together as seamlessly as if they were in the same office.
Remote project management
Platforms such as Atlassian’s Jira, ClickUp, Basecamp and Vault ERP help businesses efficiently manage remote projects by offering structured workflows, detailed reporting, and collaboration features. These tools allow teams to track milestones, manage workloads, and automate repetitive tasks, ensuring that projects stay on schedule. Agile teams, in particular, benefit from sprint planning, backlog prioritization, and integration with development tools. With clear project timelines, resource allocation, and performance tracking, businesses can maintain efficiency and ensure that all stakeholders are aligned on project goals, even in a remote work setting.
Read on: Simplifying The 5 Ps Of Project Management
Secured access
Security is a major concern in remote work, and tools like VPNs, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and cloud security solutions ensure that employees can access company resources safely. Platforms like Okta, Duo Security, and Microsoft Azure Active Directory help businesses enforce secure authentication, preventing unauthorized access. VPNs encrypt internet connections, reducing the risk of data breaches, while endpoint security solutions protect devices from cyber threats. Implementing these security measures allows organizations to provide flexible remote access without compromising sensitive business information, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.
Vault ERP can help companies adapt
While remote working tools are great, an organization also needs a proper collaborative tool to streamline its operations. This is when Vault ERP comes to the rescue. An ERP can help you with HR management, project management, operations management, sales management, financial management, and more. This ensures that not only your remote team, but the internal structure of your organization is appropriately laid out and managed.
Explore our starter pack of the best remote tools to manage your remote teams efficiently. Get started with Vault ERP now and easily manage your operations.
