Hey, it’s Nate here. Today, we’re talking remote work. The world of work has experienced a major transformation in recent years, with remote work emerging as a defining feature of the modern workplace. As we head towards 2024, remote work has become more than just a trend; it is now a fundamental aspect of how businesses operate and how employees prefer to work. In this article, we will explore the state of remote work, highlighting its benefits, challenges, and the future it holds for the next generation of workers.
Remote Work Becomes the Norm Still the Norm
In 2023, remote work has firmly established itself as normal. As normal as taking a call in your office, or lacrosse practice or your home! Obviously, COVID-19 pandemic played a pivotal role in accelerating this shift, but the trend was on to push companies to adapt and invest in remote work infrastructure. Atlassian, makers of Jira and Confluence product suites, have long supported a decentralized organizational structure with remote global employees. With early adoption back in 2004…..
As a result, businesses across industries have witnessed the advantages of remote work, such as increased productivity, cost savings, and access to a broader talent pool without geographic limitations.
Hybrid Work Models Prevail Because, duh!
Ok, a little harsh, but the reality is you have freaking amazing employees that want to option to be smart with their time. ALL OF IT. Your best employees and team members KNOW when they need to be in person to collaborate. If you don’t give these options to your best employees, they will leave. If you give these options ONLY to your best, the rest will leave. According to a recent Forbes Advisor study, “a staggering 98% of workers expressed the desire to work remotely, at least part of the time. This overwhelming figure reflects the workforce’s growing affinity towards the flexibility, autonomy and work-life balance that remote work offers.”
The key is giving your team options. One option that seems to be gaining traction is to give your employees co-working space in their town, so they can work in their communities. “Why would you make it harder?” explains &Co Coworking member Rob. A marketing manager for an NYC tech-startup, Rob spends 3 days a week close to home but not at home. “I am more productive and more motivated. Working remote [from &CO Coworking] I can get the best of all worlds. “
Technology Empowers Remote Collaboration
In 2023, advancements in technology have further empowered remote collaboration. Video conferencing tools, project management software, and cloud-based collaboration platforms have become integral to maintaining seamless communication and teamwork among remote teams. These technologies have bridged the gap between physical distances and made remote work efficient and productive.
Lattice is a SaaS HRTech software that provides a state-of-the-art performance management and employee engagement platform. Why is this so important? Employees need to know:
- Where do they stand?
- Where are they going?
- How will they get there?
Employers need to know:
- Are my employees happy?
- Are my employees engaged?
- Are they hitting their goals?
In a remote environment, the right software can make or break you. Lattice does a great job of keeping you and your employees on the same page. That is how you do remote well. By trying to be on the same page.
JIRA, Asana,ZenDesk, Zoom…. These are all great tools to help keep everyone connected.
Focus on Employee Well-being
As remote work becomes more prevalent, organizations are placing greater emphasis on employee well-being. Companies have recognized the importance of addressing potential issues related to remote work, such as social isolation, burnout, and work-life imbalance. HR departments are implementing wellness programs, offering mental health support, and promoting work-life balance to ensure the overall well-being of their remote workforce.
According to Mental Health America, “By offering flexible work options, companies are signaling to their employees that they can and should devote more time to health and wellness. That’s likely why 77% of those we surveyed said flexible work options would help them be healthier.
Nate’s Last Word
If you are a manager that freaks out because they can’t see the day-to-day actions of your team, you are alone. I talk a lot about Gravity a lot. You don’t have to think about Gravity, it just is. Gravity is when you can’t see your employees and you automatically believe the worst of them. Gravity is not trusting. Gravity is not trying. Gravity is easy.
My recommendation is to meet your team where they are. Meet them at the intersection of their best work-life balance and your expected productivity. That is where they want to go, and they will find it eventually in the companies that are already there.
ALSO…
For all those managers out there that are about to say, “but I am in manufacturing…” or “I am in retail…” or “my start-up only hires in-person ninjas, rock stars, or unicorns,” thank you for missing the point.
