Benefits of Remote Working: Challenges & Advice

May 18th 2011

Technological advances, evolving employment law and the progressively more fluid relationship between employees’ wants and employers’ needs, have seen remote working become an ever-more relevant and popular strategy for many businesses. While not a new concept, the clear benefits of remote working – from reduced costs to increased productivity – are serving to make this a favoured approach to business for various organisations, especially SMEs.

In an increasingly globalised marketplace, it is becoming less necessary for workers to be restricted to a traditional office or conventional working hours. With few signs of this trend abating, many businesses are now tackling the question of remote working, while facing the challenge of integrating an effective remote working strategy into their business model.

To help make this process as straightforward as possible, we have outlined the key benefits and challenges of remote working, and offered some top tips on how to get the most from your remote working strategy.

Benefits of Remote Working

1. Reduced Expenditure
This is perhaps the clearest benefit of an effective remote working strategy to businesses. Remote working options allow employers to reduce costs on employee and property costs, from anything to sundries and supplies to streamlining your office space and cutting back on property overheads – the latter of which is easily achieved by using virtual offices to help you maintain a business presence in a prestigious location, without the physical office space.

2. Increased Productivity
If monitored correctly, it has been shown that productivity increases among employees who are detached from the diversions and disruptions of the traditional office environment. Hot desking and touchdown facilities are increasingly being used as a more progressive approach to working.

3. Employee Motivation
Enabling employees to work flexibly, providing adaptable hot desk and meeting facilities and altering daily commuting patterns have been shown to improve motivation, reduce stress and strengthen morale in workforces.

4. Environment
With eco-responsibilities high on business agendas, a benefit of remote working and virtual offices is the green impact on the environment. Altering commuting trends, energy saving and waste management all help organisations to hit environmental targets.

Challenges

1. Trust
Employees are often fearful that their career might suffer if not set within the traditional business framework of established office spaces and normal working hours. Equally, employers and colleagues must be confident that those working remotely are doing so effectively and productively. The importance of planning and clear communication cannot be underestimated.

2. Engagement
It is crucial for morale and productivity that remote workers are not detached from their company or alienated from their colleagues. Collaborative working and clear channels of communication must be utilised to overcome worker isolation.

3. Security
Day-to-day, secure technological and logistical solutions are a must to ensure that sensitive company information is protected. Such logistics should not represent a barrier to effective remote working.

4. Equipment
A major concern, particularly for employees working remotely, is the standard IT equipment, software solutions and access to communication available to them. Equipping to a suitable standard could represent a significant initial outlay, particularly for SMEs.

Remote Working Top Tips

• Select the right people – not everyone is suited to this environment, and to get the real benefit of remote working, remote candidates must be adaptable, self-motivated and effective communicators
• Plan meticulously – set clear objectives aligned to the parameters and benefits of the remote workspace, always monitoring cost and performance
• Communicate effectively – this can be difficult even in a traditional working environment, and out-of-sight must not become out-of-mind
• Think logistics – ensure you have the technological and logistical solutions in place to realise your remote working strategy effectively and securely
• Be adaptable – recognise the benefits of remote working to both short and long-term projects

Have you got any remote working tips? Why not let us know in the comments below.

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