The pandemic is coming to an end, but remote work is here to stay. Companies like UpWork operated in-person prior to the pandemic, but are now sticking to a remote model. The same company estimates that 22% of the American workforce will be remote by 2025.
Is this all good news? Yes, but also no. Sure, there are benefits to a remote work model — but there are also pitfalls. This Millennium Omaha blog covers the pitfalls of remote work and how to avoid them.
Relying Just on Digital Tools
You’ll need to adapt to digital tools like Google Drive, Zoom, and Slack when working remotely. Chances are, you already have.
But, don’t forget to get everyone on the same page.
Before anything, set expectations. Set expectations on:
- What platform the team will communicate on
- What are the policies related to meetings and attendance
- How often employees should check in with management
- When it’s appropriate (or not appropriate) to message
Not Addressing Burnout
According to Thrive My Way, 36% of workers state that their organizations have nothing in place to help stave off employee burnout. Could this be you?
Remote workers tend to always have work on the back of their heads. Combined with feelings of isolation, these two factors lead to increased rates of burnout.
As a manager, make sure to care for both productivity and your people. Reach out regularly to see how your team is doing, and how they feel about their workload.
Too Many Meetings
In theory, digital meetings are the way to go. The sessions feel productive, and you don’t lose time traveling to a physical location.
Meetings are good, but there’s a limit. Remember, meetings take away time from completing actual work. Don’t book 8 hours’ worth of meetings a day, and drain you and your team’s precious time.
Before booking a meeting, consider if a meeting is really necessary. Will a simple text message suffice? Or, how about a voice memo? If so, skip the meeting.
Pro tip: For the meetings that you do have, don’t make them feel pointless. Plan for even more preparation than in-person meetings. Come into each meeting with a clear purpose, and action items that employees can take away from the meeting