Having a workforce that works remote at least part of the time can save companies money and attract workers who appreciate the option to work anywhere. This is especially true in winter months when workers can stay home rather than drive through brutal Minnesota weather conditions.
If you want to run a business that allows employees to work remotely, though, you must be sure your business is equipped to handle such an arrangement.
Having proper policies
While remote working allows for flexibility, it is crucial to have firm policies in place regarding remote work. However, according to a 2018 study by Upwork, most companies lack this policy.
A remote working policy should include:
- Details on who is eligible to work remotely
- How often an employee can work from somewhere besides the office
- Rules for dressing properly when meeting clients virtually or in person
- Privacy specifications such as working on a secure network and restrictions on accessing sensitive information in public areas
- Requirements for availability, e.g. whether the worker must be available via phone or chat and the hours during which an employee should be responsive to work requests
Having proper tools
Even though a worker is not in your office, he or she should still have proper office equipment. This can include a laptop, a phone and other tools that ensure they can perform their work.
You might also agree to provide workers with a budget and allow them to purchase the tools they need.
Providing these resources for remote workers may seem unnecessary and expensive, but it can be the best option. It ensures the worker is using compatible systems and can be another benefit for workers, who will not need to figure out office equipment on their own.
These are just a couple aspects of building a remote workforce, but they are both incredibly important.
If you are starting or expanding a remote work program, erring on the side of formality can be crucial. This can mean consulting financial and legal professionals to properly create policies and make certain investments. Without these measures, this type of arrangement could fail or cause costly problems for the business.