remote working

January 30, 2015

Because of the ease of staying connected, alternative work arrangements such as remote working have become more commonplace around the world.

Not only does it enable employees to achieve a better work-life balance, but it also means employers can access talent virtually anywhere around the world.

According to 77% of respondents of Randstad Sourceright’s 2015 Talent Trends Survey, organizations agree they need to create greater flexible working options such as variable work hours, job-sharing, or working from home. The proliferation of high-speed Internet and services such as Skype and Google Apps for online collaboration, at-home virtual meetings, and easy file sharing are making this a real possibility.

Rebecca Henderson - Randstad Sourceright 2015 Talent Trends Report

5 tips for optimizing remote working arrangements

 


  1. gauge cultural fit: Is your organization highly centralized or distributed? Remote employees aren’t always a good fit for organizations and leaders who insist on in-office presence, so consider whether these arrangements are appropriate.
   

  2. communicate expectations: Maintain regular hours for offsite workers, and make clear organizational expectations of their time. At the same time, respect their downtime.
     

   3. schedule in-person meetings: Video conferencing and instant messaging are great tools, but occasional in-person meetings will further strengthen team cohesion.
     

  4. enable remote work: Offsite employees must have access to tools and technology to ensure they remain connected to your organization. You will need the right infrastructure in place before offering this as a perk for workers.
     

  5. regularly assess results: Assess whether your telecommuting policy is effective at delivering the productivity you seek. Regular feedback from line managers and reviews of performance with employees will provide a clear view.

request the report > 

About the Randstad Sourceright 2015 Talent Trends Report:

Covering 25 of the most dynamic and pressing issues facing workers and employers right now, and the concerns they have for the future, our subject matter experts explore how these trends will affect organizations, and provide practical tips on how to cope with them.

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