Remote work is accessible to a diverse range of professionals across various fields. Technology has enabled job roles to be performed from virtually anywhere. As companies recognize the benefits of flexible work arrangements, more professionals are finding opportunities to work remotely and achieve a better work-life balance. But who is best suited for working remotely, and how do you figure it out? Let’s dive into the world of remote work.
The benefits of working remotely
Working from anywhere, anytime is no longer regarded as an obstacle for employers to the same extent as before. Workers have proven to be just as, if not more, productive when working remotely.
For a company, the ability to offer remote work can be great for attracting talented and ambitious professionals. It is also easier to find new hires when you broaden your talent pool and can hire people from other regions or around the world.
Work-life balance can be improved for many people since they don’t have to worry about the commute and can adjust their work schedules more freely. The environmental aspect is also worth mentioning. Fewer car trips mean less CO2 emissions, and less energy is wasted on large, unused office buildings.
Is remote work right for everyone?
Not everyone is cut out for remote work. It requires a certain amount of self-motivation and focus. You must also be communicative to stay connected with bosses and colleagues and find new ways to make technology work in your favor.
If you don’t need to be energized by people around you and perform better when working in solitude, remote work could be ideal for you. Remote work is not for everyone, and people who prefer working more hands-on and communicating face-to-face will probably avoid these types of workplaces.
Some organizations struggle to establish remote work because there is not enough support from upper management and senior employees. Concerns have also been raised about the reduced possibility of networking and getting in front of senior leaders to be promoted when you work from home.
However, more and more people are discovering the benefits of working from home, and with a supportive team, they can excel in their job roles.
How to determine which roles can work from home?
Not every profession and work role is suitable for working remotely. In general, there are some that are better than others. Job roles that require little to no practical work are usually the best. That means these types of jobs are less suitable:
- Nurses
- Firefighters
- Policemen
- Cleaning staff
- Restaurant or shop owners
If any of these job roles require admin tasks, some of them can of course be carried out at home, but they can also be the slightest of a fraction of what the job actually entails. A senior policeman can of course be promoted to a criminal investigator, so there is flexibility in many fields.
Naturally, jobs that are based on admin tasks and do not directly involve other people, are well suited for remote workers. They usually only require interaction and not meeting anyone face to face. A few examples:
- Architects
- Accountants
- Financial analysts
- IT-programmers
As a third option, there are jobs that are best suited for the hybrid workers, which means that some of the tasks can be carried out remotely and some require meeting clients in the office.
- Salesmen
- Teacher/professors
- HR personnel
- Attorneys
- Psychologists
Lynda Grafton, PhD, professor of management practice at London Business School has crafted a matrix for deciding if it’s worth considering remote work. It is based on the following:
- Jobs and tasks
- Employee preference
- Projects and workflows
- Inclusion and fairness
Then, the results are aligned with the actual job role and the requirements of each one, to see which employees are suited for remote work.
- Job description
- The amount of relationship building needed
- Management/coaching responsibilities
- Collaboration between departments
- Technology requirements
- Level of interaction with clients and stakeholders (internal and external).
In her opinion, the best remote worker is someone who is tech-savvy, independent, has high problem-solving skills and is responsible for a certain project or field. Someone who needs to be present during normal business hours could be less suited than someone who isn’t.
The opinions of the employees should also be taken into account when creating a suitable remote work model. They should be asked how many full days they prefer to be at the office or work fully remotely. It is also a great idea to craft a persona to design workflows and policies accordingly.
Tom, 37 years old with two kids, might have a different view on remote work than Betty, 27, living in a studio alone. And what about Sue, 62, with a knack for gardening after work?
How to evaluate if remote work is possible?
To set up proper remote work agreements, it is crucial to consider factors such as skills, personal circumstances, and work performance, along with the interests of the entire business.
Work performance: Work performance over time can be tracked to see if there is a change before and after the remote policy was launched. It is essential to keep track of errors made at work, complaints from external stakeholders, and cultural problems. One great idea is to set up metrics for each employee and track them to ensure they meet expectations.
Team spirit: Another suggestion is to consider if allowing a key employee, who greatly contributes to the office culture and organization as a whole, to work remotely is beneficial. They might also be a team leader. What happens when that person starts working remotely? Will it impact others’ performance as well?
Costs: Does disregarding the demand for remote work require recruiting new staff, along with the larger costs associated with it?
Processes: Do you have the right processes in place to go remote? First and foremost, technology is key to being able to communicate properly in an efficient online environment. Project management is also needed to ensure that everyone gets on board. You also need to address IT security and data privacy for employees and clients. Desk management software simplifies desk booking for hybrid workers.
The importance of a Work-From-Home Policy
The best way to determine if people are suited for working remotely is to write a solid Work-From-Home Policy that clearly outlines possibilities and expectations.
With freedom comes responsibility, and this document serves as a roadmap for both future and current employees.
The work-from-home policy can specify availability—do people have to be on call all day, or can they deliver messages asynchronously? There can also be guidelines for succeeding with remote work, such as taking regular breaks and ensuring that the workplace is ergonomic. Can employees dress casually, or is it more important to look presentable during a work call?
How are job tasks assigned? How do people report absences?
Make sure you’ve covered these questions, and you will be ready to go remote!
What skills are needed for working from home?
Besides academic and professional skills, certain specific skills are essential for succeeding when working remotely.
The ability to self-regulate: When there is no one else around, like a cheerful and trusted colleague, it's important to be able to self-regulate to stay centered and focused. Stress is a normal part of our day, but how we deal with it matters.
Self-motivation: The power in self-motivation lies in understanding that motivation comes from within and is not always sparked by inspiration. Self-motivation is the ability to roll up your sleeves and avoid leaning too much into perfection and self-doubt. Understanding that your contribution is valuable to the whole team is a big part of it. And of course - better done than perfect.
Self-compassion: No one likes the bitter and condescending friend that constantly criticizes and belittles every achievement, so why do we keep doing it to ourselves? Embracing self-compassion eliminates negative self-talk and acknowledges that everyone can have a bad day occasionally. A failure says nothing about you as a person; it's rather a sign that you can do better next time. Self-compassion does not develop overnight but is something people need to work on regularly, telling themselves that they are enough. With self-compassion, you also develop more empathy for others, which helps the whole team flourish.
Time-management skills: With deadlines approaching, there is only so much time available during a normal workday, not to mention impromptu meetings and technical errors that can hinder completing a long to-do list. By making a plan and sticking to it, you can achieve much more. Time blocking is a great way to ensure you spend enough hours on each task.
Great communication skills: The written word is somewhat different from the spoken one, so choosing your words wisely when communicating online is crucial. Communication skills are among the most important for remote workers since they interact online with colleagues and managers. Besides writing emails professionally, they must also master the skill of online meetings, where listening to others and participating actively is important. By communicating effectively, we not only succeed with tasks but also motivate others to do a great job.
Tech-savviness: When there is no one else around to help you with a temporary glitch in the system other than the mailman or the dog, you need to have some basic technical skills to make it as a remote worker. A standard work team would most likely use an array of different IT systems and apps. Most teams these days prefer cloud-based solutions where all files, images, and documents are stored for easy access. They also work as communication tools, where team members receive notifications about updates and are assigned different tasks. Additionally, communication tools such as Teams or Slack are common in the remote landscape.
The role of the manager in remote work
No man is an island.
When it comes to the individual strengths of each employee, the manager is also highly responsible for the well-being of the team. Managers should collect feedback from employees to ensure they have everything they need to do a good job. If employees feel alienated or isolated, it can result in decreased productivity and motivation.
Both one-on-one meetings and surveys are great ways to follow up with your employees and establish a strong and supportive work culture.
How to find candidates with the best work from home skills?
During the recruitment process, there are several ways to determine if the applicants possess the crucial traits mentioned above. Time management and problem-solving tests will let you know if the applicant is suitable for the job role, indicating whether they can work independently and solve problems effectively.
Overall, you want to ensure that both soft and technical skills are on point, along with relevant job experience and theoretical know-how. Ultimately, it also boils down to personality and whether the person is a cultural fit.
Hiring remote employees: a summary
Remote work suits a diverse range of professionals across various fields, thanks to advancements in technology. The flexibility attracts talent globally, improves work-life balance, and reduces environmental impact.
However, remote work isn't ideal for everyone; it requires self-motivation, creativity in communication, and technical skills. Jobs requiring hands-on presence, like nursing and firefighting, aren't suitable for remote work, while IT programming is.
Crafting a work-from-home policy and evaluating individual roles are crucial steps for organizations considering remote work.
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