Remote teams and hybrid working environments are becoming increasingly prevalent in businesses, and for good reason. During the pandemic, many organisations experienced boosted productivity, while employees who were able to work from home (or from a remote location) experienced increased satisfaction due to a more balanced work-life lifestyle.
This trend has continued through into 2024, with multiple studies pointing to the positive effects of remote work for both companies and employees. A study at Stanford University found that performance can increase up to 13%, while a study by ConnectSolutions showed that productivity can increase up to a spectacular 77%. Remote employees spend less time being unproductive during the day, and even work an extra day out of the week on average.
A recent study by Tracking Happiness found that remote workers across North America, Asia, South America and Europe were happier – with remote working increasing happiness up to 20%.
The role of HR technology in creating a positive remote work culture
All this evidence suggests that, when done correctly, remote workers can boost their potential – becoming happier and offering companies the added benefit of improved productivity.
However, this is not to say that simply sending all your staff to work from home will result in such spectacular results. Just as in developing an office environment, HR must cooperate with management to use technology and create a positive, supportive remote setup for their employees.
Communication, training and development programmes, and outcome-based management are all crucial components of a successful remote-working environment. Remote workers still need to feel connected to and supported by their team, and clear processes are needed to allow them to deliver work that meets the organisation’s standards.
With these thoughts in mind, HR can develop high-performing teams that excel. For example, 62% of employees prefer to use video conferencing rather than voice calls, as it encourages synchronous collaboration between multiple people, and reduces miscommunications. Having robust communication streams for your employees to meet and discuss their work greatly improves the likelihood of their remote environment being beneficial rather than a hindrance.
Encouraging a work-life balance means workers are able to be less distracted while working from home. Remote workers can avoid a commute that drains their energy and causes frustration before even reaching the office. They can experience a higher level of concentration in a solitary, comfortable environment, and can use their work breaks to re-adjust their mindset by engaging in beneficial habits at home, such as physical exercise, eating healthy food, and interacting with their family.
Task management applications that put more of a focus on results being done to a high standard, rather than tracking every minute of an employee’s day, offer the flexibility for employees to schedule their day according to their needs while still getting more done than they would in the office.
