As the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in the US and around the world in 2020, remote work became the norm for many companies. After all, allowing employees to work from home meant that many companies could continue to operate even through mandated shut-downs and closures throughout the country. But for some employers, the perceived risks for allowing their staff members to work from home was simply too great. The number one concern for many of those company owners and managers was that the productivity levels for work-from-home employees would plummet. As it turns out, that was not the case. In fact, due in large part to technological tools like MySammy – our cloud-based software that is designed to measure productivity levels of remote workers – most work-from-home employees are just as productive working remotely as they are in an office setting.
Still, it is true that working from home presents some challenges to productivity. What follows are what we believe to be the top three productivity challenges for remote workers and strategies to resolve them:
1. Distractions and Interruptions
Challenges: Household responsibilities, family members, and pets can create frequent distractions and interruptions. This makes it difficult to maintain a clear boundary between work and personal life.
Resolutions: Tell your work-from-home employees to create a dedicated workspace. Have them set up a specific work area in their home to establish a physical boundary between work and home life. Ask them to set clear boundaries with their family members by communicating their work schedule and asking them to minimize interruptions during work hours.
2. Technology Issues
Challenges: Slow or unreliable internet connections can disrupt productivity. Having limited access to IT support for resolving technical issues can interrupt the employees’ workflow.
Resolutions: Invest in reliable technology for your work-from-home employees. Ensure that they have a reliable internet connection and necessary hardware to avoid disruptions. Show them how to utilize cloud services to store files, and use applications that are cloud-based to ensure that they can access their work from any device. Provide your remote workers with a list of IT support contacts and consider having backup devices or internet options in case of technical failures.
3. Social Isolation and Communication Challenges
Challenges: It’s common for remote workers to experience feelings of loneliness and isolation due to the lack of in-person interaction. Communication gaps or delays can lead to misunderstandings and inefficiencies.
Resolutions: Schedule regular video calls or meetings with your work-from-home employees to maintain a sense of connection with your team. Use collaboration tools (such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom) to facilitate real-time communication and collaboration. Foster social interaction with your remote teams members by creating virtual social events or informal chat groups to build camaraderie among team members.
To put your mind at ease with regard to your remote employee productivity levels, sign up for your FREE trial of MySammy today! Our cloud-based software effectively measures productivity levels of your work-from-home employees without blocking websites or using “spyware.” By addressing these challenges proactively, and utilizing technological tools such as MySammy, you can ensure that your remote workers enhance their productivity and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
