The business world is constantly changing. The latest major change is the dramatic rise of remote work. Remote work brings with it a variety of potential problems, which must be dealt with properly. Every business needs a formal policy to guide the behavior of employees, thereby ensuring that working remotely doesn’t become a liability. The right remote work policy will be a benefit to all.
Here are six rules to follow when creating a good remote work policy:
- Define what availability is expected. Must an employee work a normal 9-to-5 schedule? Can they set their own hours? How long can breaks be? Do workers have to check in and check out? During what times are employees expected to respond to emails or other forms of communication? The answers to these and other questions must be spelled out clearly, especially since it is here that the difference between working remotely and at the office is greatest.
- Establish rules around time tracking. When an employee should be working is one matter. How management ensures they actually are working is another. Methods can vary widely, from direct monitoring using productivity software to a completely hands-off approach. Obviously, both have downsides — the former is intrusive and may be deeply resented by employees, while the latter can result in total lack of accountability. One way or another, adopting a clear, consistent policy is vital.
- Set productivity expectations. Working remotely should not result in lower productivity. Employees must understand that while remote work can be challenging, expectations have not been lowered. Their duties and responsibilities do not change just because they are working from somewhere different.
- Consider hybrid arrangements. Remote work is not a black-and-white proposition. It can make sense to allow some remote working, while also requiring some days to be spent on site. Hybrid arrangements can mitigate one of the biggest issues with remote work — the lack of connection and difficulty communicating that often develops when team members never see each other in real life. Those who permanently work remotely often feel isolated and lack any sense of camaraderie with their colleagues.
- Set policies around technology. Will workers be provided with company laptops? Will they be given money to buy their own equipment? Will the company even pay for part of internet and utility bills? These and similar questions must be addressed. Making rules about what software and hardware employees must have can be crucial. Problems with incompatible equipment can be a major roadblock to getting things done. Deciding whether to implement security measures to protect important data is another important choice.
- Be as specific and thorough as possible. No matter the details of a remote work policy, a general rule always applies: the need to fully explicate the policies. Ambiguity and confusion are always the enemy when it comes to workplace guidelines and rules. This is even more so when a business is navigating relatively uncharted waters. Vague rules lacking in detail will only make employees frustrated, unsure of how they should behave.
A remote work policy isn’t about forcing a set of pointless rules on unwilling employees. Remote work is uncharted waters for almost everyone. Employees need guidance and want to know what their employers expect from them. A good remote work policy will guarantee that working remotely will work for everyone.
Photo Credit: Josh Duke