Following the pandemic of 2019, it is safe to say that remote working has become the new norm. Indeed, working from the comfort of your home offers an endless array of advantages – making your own schedule, not having to travel, and the list goes on. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that remote work is always a smooth sail. In fact, Tommy Shek noted that those who work from home notice a massive decrease in their productivity and engagement levels.
Tommy Shek’s List of Problems Remote Workers Encounter
Communication
The first and perhaps the biggest challenge employees working from home face is the significant communication gap. Even modern-day tools like zoom and Skype cannot beat the art of face-to-face communication. This problem is amplified when you throw into the mix the issues caused by different time zones, locations, and even working schedules. Errors due to miscommunication, delays in meeting task deadlines, and reduced work output are the three major setbacks companies face as a result of poor connectivity between employees.
Unsanctioned IT
When employees are working from their own personal computers, companies have to provide them with access to confidential software, data, and servers that would’ve otherwise only been available on company computers. Different employees interpret and use the tools provided to them differently, not only compromising security but leading to inconsistency in staff working mechanisms. It is vital that employees be given proper training and taught how to utilize the sanctioned IT services to complete their tasks.
Connectivity Hiccups
Working from home naturally comes with a risk of several problems, including power outages, device malfunctioning, and poor Wi-Fi connection. Since there is no IT team on standby to help employees overcome such issues, they are left to fend for themselves. This means a waste of time and constant interruptions within their work schedule. As such, it is important that for peace of mind and a smooth work day, workers be asked to have a failsafe in place. This means having a backup internet supply like a mobile hotspot device or cable plan that allows tethering and can save the day should a problem arise.
Security
Tommy Shek points out that remote work compromises network security to a great extent. With workers connecting from random networks and locations, company portals have become all the more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. This puts confidential client information, financial data, and other crucial company records at risk of being hacked and leaked. To safeguard your organization from such an issue, be sure to teach employees certain security practices and protocols that should be enforced under all conditions.
Interruptions at Home
A work-from-home lifestyle, although convenient, means back-to-back interruptions – be it from your spouse, kids, pets, delivery people, or neighbors. While you may be taking your work seriously, there is no guarantee that the people around you will do the same. As such, it is important that you set clear boundaries and create a consistent schedule for every day. Create a signal to let your family members know when you’re in focus mode, avoid answering any personal calls during work hours, and make a proper working table so that you don’t just work from the bed or the lounge.
Bottom Line
Tommy Shek believes that remote work comes with its own list of pros and cons. However, with time, patience and effort, both employers and employees can get the hang of the job and figure out what works for them to enhance productivity and engagement.