Remote work has been a popular topic since the coronavirus pandemic began. Remote work is also known as telework. It is any type of work that does not require workers to stay in the office. Just as it is easier to get 50 free spins from anywhere on earth, remote workers can do their jobs from any place on earth. That includes their residences, a co-working office space, or any place with a high-speed internet connection.
The segment of the remote workforce is growing by the day. Businesses that have the equipment for remote work can recruit the best candidates from all over the world. One question people ask is this: do remote workers have to work online all the time? Companies have unique protocols they follow when offering remote work. Some may require workers to be online most of the day, and others may not.
What to expect when working remotely
How you work remotely depends on your job roles and the protocols your employer has laid down. Online workers doing hourly jobs must record their time in real-time. They use a software application that tracks their hours every work-week. Such workers must stay online throughout the time they have vowed to work each day.
Freelance writers, programmers, coders, website developers, and virtual assistants have to stick online most of the time. Some workers may use the phone more than they do the internet. It all depends on the kind of job you do. If you do document processing publicly, your tools might use a speedy internet connection. So you might be on the Wi-Fi the entire day.
What can make a remote team succeed?
Employers who want their remote workers to thrive should plan the system well. First of all, they need to trust their workers. It is hard to do so when they cannot supervise the workers. However, when there is trust between workers and their boss, the team can run efficiently.
Another vital thing to do is to provide a draft for the workweek. The draft should contain guidelines on the work that the team should do. Also, it should reveal when every member should be present online. A workweek plan can increase group cohesion and help align its efforts and focus.
Encouraging self-care is another trick to use to boost your remote team’s productivity. A worker cannot sneak out of work when you give them their free time. They will work until their turn to be free comes. Leisure time can allow your workers to relax mentally and physically.
Arranging retreats for your remote workers can boost productivity too. Companies tend to have an easy time arranging an occasion to celebrate their office workers. If they have remote workers too, they should arrange a retreat for their teams. When they all meet in person and interact, they can build rapport and have fun.
A retreat works best when you arrange it in interesting places. If that’s hard to arrange, you can organize virtual team-building activities for different teams. It can be a meeting about anything that does not relate to work and you can use software like Asana or Trello. You should provide training opportunities to help your remote workers grow their careers.
Conclusion
Although remote workers have the freedom to choose when to work each day, it has its challenges. Reduced human contact can cause isolation and stress. However, if you organize your time and work properly, you can handle the daily workload and find time for yourself. Whether you work online throughout or partly, take regular breaks to protect your back, eyes, hands, and overall health.