TechTheDay

Employees who work remotely used to have a poor reputation, and it’s not hard to see why. After all, people who engage in their responsibilities at home can easily be distracted, especially since managers are unable to monitor them in the same way they do in the workplace. For this reason, this arrangement was rare before and available only in exceptional circumstances. However, with the advancements in telework and teleconferencing technology, it’s now possible for organizations to thrive in remote work teams. And this is especially important amidst the global pandemic.

To determine remote working and communication technology’s efficacy, we’ll discuss the workforce’s current state and the predictions for remote employment future. Continue reading to learn more.

Remote working—is it effective?

In the old days, the majority of employers would likely have been unwilling or reluctant at the prospect of adopting remote working practices, with the primary concern being productivity loss. However, when you get down to it, the lack of constant supervision can make it harder to get the most out of employees. To get a better idea of its effectiveness, Airtasker conducted a survey of a little over a thousand full-time workers, with five hundred and five being remote employees. Based on the results of the research, they found that those who worked remotely were able to be more productive compared to those who didn’t.

Current state

The advances in online access and communication technology has made teleworking an accepted, if not preferred practice, for many organizations. Modern workforces are increasingly becoming mobile, dynamic and collaborative, all with various communication preferences, with employees spanning multiple industries. While they present their fair share of unique challenges, they also boast advantages that traditional working practices lack.

However, there are still companies that continue to resist this working trend for different reasons. Some enterprises aren’t convinced of its benefits and believe that it may result in poor performance and productivity, while others are hesitant to invest in the equipment and tools necessary. A survey on remote work conducted by Buffer shows that at least seventy-five percent of employees who work remotely said their employers don’t cover internet costs.

This means that remote working policies can keep operational costs down by saving on costly workspaces and the internet, enabling them to increase their bottom line without compromising the quality of work.

The future

Many experts predict that remote work practices and software solutions, like web conferencing and mobile applications, will be more common than face-to-face meetings. In addition, artificial intelligence will likely have a critical role in managing teams that work remotely. With these advancements, companies will likely be put at ease. While the transition to this relatively new working arrangement might sound like a daunting prospect, the right technology can make it more seamless.

Moreover, fighting this inevitable change may be more detrimental than good. With a growing number of employees expecting more opportunities for remote work, organizations that fail to implement this arrangement will risk losing out on potential candidates to support their enterprises. Therefore, it’s wise to adopt remote work as early as possible.