Companies around the world are telling employees to work from home to protect themselves from catching the Coronavirus and stop it spreading. Business continuity is not the only reason for employees to work from home, remote working increases productivity, results in a happier and healthier workforce and encourages employees to remain in the business for longer.
The outbreak of the Coronavirus may change or influence working patterns from now on with more companies willing to accept the request for remote working.
More than 1.54 million people now work from home for their main job, this is an increase from 884,000 ten years ago (ONS Labour Force Survey 2018). The Office of National Statistics believes that 50% of the UK’s employees will be working remotely by next year and a total of 90% of staff will request that they would like to work remotely at least part time.
Follow Britannic Technologies top tips for home working:
Healthier and Happier Employees
A positive work-life balance reduces workplace stress, resulting in a happier, healthier and more productive workforce. ConnectSolutions’ survey states that 52% were less likely to take time off ill when remote working, 45% of remote workers sleep better, 35% exercise more and 42% have healthier diets. Mental health is protected, with 53% claiming they suffer from less stress.
Stepping up Productivity
Remote working increases productivity because you are enabling your employees to fit work in with their personal life providing flexibility. Airtasker recently issued some research stating that remote workers work an extra 1.4 days a month which equates to 16.8 days a year more than people work in an office.
Technology the Enabler
Companies need to provide employees with the correct technology to enable remote and flexible working. Cloud based conferencing and collaboration solutions empower employees to hold audio and video conference calls together over their desktop or via a mobile. Send instant messages, and share and work on documents and presentations together.
Widen your Recruitment Pool
By implementing remote working you can widen your recruitment pool and attract and retain top talent from further afield and even overseas. You can also work with freelancers opening up the ‘gig economy’ that now includes approximately 4.8 million people with freelancers comprising 42% of that population and 6% of the UK workforce as a whole ( Association of Independent Professionals).
Seeing Things Differently
Introducing remote and flexible working requires companies to set a new culture of trust and autonomy. Employees need to be trusted from the outset and given autonomy to do their jobs wherever they are; trust should be given and not earnt.
Staying on Track
Employees require clear direction of what needs to be done and key performance indicators can be put in place to ensure that employees are achieving. Software such as workforce management tools and collaboration software ensures you can access project progress and knowledge bases.
Connecting People Together
It is important to provide remote and home workers with the correct tools to communicate with so they still feel connected to the team and maintain a social bond with their colleagues. Buffer stated that 19% of remote workers get lonely and 17% struggle with communication and collaboration. Conferencing and collaboration tools help combat this, enabling you to conduct phone and video conference calls, share documents and send instant messages.
Downing Tools
Home workers will usually worker longer and harder, and are less distracted in the day so it is vital that you set guidelines on switching off from work so they can separate their home and work life.
Future-proof with Flexibility
Don’t let business continuity be your only reason for implementing home working and future-proof your workforce by providing them with the flexibility, trust and autonomy to work at home or remotely within flexible hours if required. Set your employees free and you will have a healthier, happier and more dedicated, productive and efficient workforce.
About Britannic Technologies
Britannic Technologies is an award-winning specialist in voice communications, systems integration and managed services with over 30 years’ experience in telecommunications. Its technical expertise and consultative approach has helped hundreds of midsized UK businesses with their digital transformation.
Working with customers to understand their business goals, processes and culture, Britannic develop digital strategies, tailored to each client’s needs. As leaders in innovation, Britannic is proud to bring disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence, web real time communications and robotic automation processing to customers.
Britannic partners with industry-leading vendors such as Mitel, Avaya, Microsoft, Red Box, ComputerTel and Bizvu. Trailfinders, North Herts District Council, Markerstudy Group and the Kennel Club are just a few of the customers that have transformed their contact centres with Britannic.
For more information, please visit, https://www.btlnet.co.uk/