Remote work has changed the way we work. Remote work, also known as work from home, was instantly accepted as the “go-to” work model during the COVID-19 pandemic. The work model’s ability to offer greater flexibility, better work-life balance, increased productivity, and access to a global talent pool has made it the preferred work methodology even post pandemic.
Technological advances like access to high-speed Internet, digital project tools, rising office space, and a growing demand for flexibility have also contributed to the remote work trend. But there are challenges to this model.
In this blog, we’ll look at the future of remote work and how your business can navigate some of the unique challenges this work structure brings. We’ll also talk about how technology in the form of resource management software can make it easier to manage and sustain remote work practices.
Across the globe, there is a shortage of talent. Companies are seeking the right talent and remote work fills this need. Human resources and managers can now access the right resource without being restricted by location or timing, presenting them with a more diverse set of employees that have varied experience and can drive innovation.
However, that doesn’t mean all is well with remote work scenarios. It can be a challenge for human resources and project managers to manage the remote workforce. Here are some common obstacles hybrid team managers face:
Remote work also presents some performance management challenges. Because it’s no longer possible to physically see what an employee is working on, managers and project managers need to rely on other tools and processes to ensure productivity and optimum performance levels.
A resource can easily be overloaded and assigned too many tasks or it can be completely under-utilized. Both of these can have a grave impact on the individual and company performance. If the person is not assigned the right task or is overworked, they won’t be able to generate ideal results.
Also, the employee might have technical or equipment issues. They might need help and it can be difficult to ask for or get help if a proper communication system isn’t in place. This impacts not only their individual performance but that of the whole team.
There are also a set of challenges that remote employees face. Let’s understand a remote employee’s perspective.
For remote workers, the most common obstacles they face include:
One of the biggest obstacles of remote work is the lack of face-to-face interaction with managers and coworkers. This can make it difficult to build relationships, collaborate on projects, and feel like part of a team. Many times remote workers state that they don’t feel their manager understands their pain points and struggles. The isolation from limited face-to-face interactions and collaborations can also negatively impact their mental well-being.
When you work from home, it can be easy to get distracted by things like household chores, pets, or social media. This can make it difficult to stay focused and productive. Remote workers need to be self-motivated and disciplined in order to be successful. This can be challenging, especially when there is no one to keep an eye on you.
It can be difficult to separate work from home life when you work remotely. This can cause burnout and other mental and physical health problems.
If remote workers have several colleagues in different time zones, it can be difficult to coordinate meetings and collaborate on projects. This can lead to delays and misunderstandings.
Remote working, also known as telecommuting or working from home, is a work arrangement in which employees work remotely from a location outside of a traditional office. This can be done full-time or part-time, and can be arranged on a permanent or temporary basis.
There are many advantages to remote working, including:
Remote workers can set their own work hours and complete work from anywhere with high-speed internet access. This can give them more control over their time and allow them to better balance their work and personal lives. This flexibility and autonomy often leads to better job satisfaction because they are able to set their own pace.
Remote workers don't have to commute to and from work, which can save them time and money. For businesses, remote work offsets the growing rental space costs of physical offices. In the world of sustainability, the remote work model also adds to a company’s image by reducing its environmental footprint.
However, as we highlighted earlier, there are also some disadvantages or challenges to remote working. The most commonly expressed issues are those of lack of communication, a feeling of isolation, and poor technological support.
We understand the challenges of a remote work environment. But the question that remains is, “What are the solutions to these issues?” That is where remote work management is relevant. Let’s understand what remote work management is and how to implement it.
Much like the name itself, remote work management is the process of leading, monitoring, and tracking remote employees and assignments. Remote work management consists of the following functions that will support the remote work environment:
One thing to remember is that remote work is a fairly new concept and therefore remote work management processes are still developing.
Remote work is no longer just the flavor of the month or a trend. It’s the future of work. If your company wants to reap the benefits of remote work like cost savings and access to a more diverse talent pool, you need to be able to manage and monitor your remote resources efficiently.
One way to overcome remote work challenges is to use a resource allocation tool like eResource Scheduler. This all-in-one software will not only provide visibility on all available resources and their billing rates, availability, and schedule but also help you track their productivity and workload. The platform will be equipped with real-time data metrics like resource utilization rates, actual vs. planned time taken for tasks, and estimated budget vs. actual budget that can help you manage resources and keep track of project progress.
