The idea of remote working has significantly grown throughout the last few years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has fueled this prospect. There is a strong case of companies willing to undertake all aspects of remote working. It is a trend that has snowballed and has become a must-have option for employers. ‘
However, the benefits and challenges of remote working are not far behind and are limited to working hours’ flexibility. Let us look at some of the benefits of remote working.
Benefits
Attracting top talent
The most beneficial aspect of remote work is attracting top talent. Offering remote work dramatically enhances an organization’s talent pool and brings new talent that supports the structure. The employees do not need to limit themselves to a specific geographical location and work virtually anywhere. This same principle applies to employers who can easily approach anyone with the right skills. This benefit is helpful for companies that struggle to find the skills needed for competitive advantage.
Recruiting from a larger pool of talent enables an employer to increase diversity. When hiring from many regions or countries, you can use various ideas and perspectives.
Reducing costs
Another benefit of remote work is saving costs while allowing workers to operate from home. Remote working saves you money on renting office space and other operative expenses like utilities or air conditioning.
Productivity
The past year has proved that remote work is a prospect to consider as it allows for a productivity boost. Employees find the idea of working comfortably from home and saving the energy of traveling enhances their working potential. Employees are free to work when they feel most energetic, drastically increasing productivity.
Challenges of Remote Working
Maintaining communication
Maintaining solid and open communication is a significant challenge for remote workers and employers alike. While working from home seems attractive, it becomes useless if no clear communication channel is established. Coordinating all the teams and bringing them on the same page is challenging. Employers who master this art of communication are the ones who reap the benefits of remote working. A communication gap can result in indefinite downtimes and wastage of resources.
Creation of a remote working culture
Creating a culture that motivates employees to work from home is a challenge. This is because employees have a habit of coming to the office and working in a suitable environment. Changing the culture immediately is complicated as many employees exploit the opportunity and take advantage of the situation. In this sense, employees must consider whether to allow workers the edge or limit them to office premises only.
Tracking employee performance
The greatest challenge faced by employers is tracking employee performance. It can be hard to take notice of the commission if there is no physical presence. The commission is especially hard for offices that require specific hours of work. This is also a challenge as you do not want to be a micromanager. Finding the right balance between tracking employee performance without becoming resented is an ability only a few master. Another drawback is that workers start overcompensating to fulfill their work hours, leading to burnout.
Maintaining data security
Maintaining data security during remote working is also a challenge. Employers can actively monitor sensitive data when in the office but cannot actively stop any misuse in remote working. They must establish data security programs that need training to ensure that the data remains secure and accessible to only a few who can handle it and that the data remains in safe hands.
Final Word
Working has its challenges and benefits that employers can use to their advantage. Although the idea of working from home is productive, yet employers and employees must ensure that they reap the most out of it. Striking a balance between these two factors is the point that generates the most productivity without overexploiting the idea of remote working for employers.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
