{"id":9273,"date":"2020-05-01T11:00:22","date_gmt":"2020-05-01T10:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/?p=9273"},"modified":"2023-01-16T18:06:32","modified_gmt":"2023-01-16T18:06:32","slug":"remote-workforce-tips-for-building-and-managing-remote-workers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/remote-workforce-tips-for-building-and-managing-remote-workers\/","title":{"rendered":"Remote Workforce: Tips for Building and Managing Remote Workers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Remote work is no longer a concept reserved for just the lucky few.\u00a0<\/span>The rise of cloud technology and software as a service means that any company can expand into the realm of building a remote workforce, with very little initial investment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to research from 2017, <\/span>70% of employees<\/span><\/a> feel that a business offering flexible working solutions is more attractive as an employer. Additionally, <\/span>55% of employees<\/span><\/a> in the UK say remote working makes them happier by reducing things like the daily commute.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the time of writing this article, the world is being hit with a pandemic that has forced a large portion of the professional community to begin working from home. Although this health scare presents a massive threat to our way of life, it has also shown us that remote work<\/a> is a real and viable possibility for most companies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t

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Keep your team connected and collaborating while working remotely.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\tFind out how<\/a>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t\n

Unfortunately, there\u2019s more to creating your remote workforce than simply handing your employees a laptop and letting them work from home. Businesses need a careful strategy for building and managing a remote team.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The case for the remote workforce<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Even in an age where remote work is more popular than ever, there are some organisations that believe employers need to be there with their teams in person to manage them. However, as we\u2019ve seen en masse at the beginning of this year, that isn\u2019t the case.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the 2019 Future Workforce report from Upwork, <\/span>55% of hiring managers<\/span><\/a> say remote work is likely to grow significantly in the decade ahead. Now that we\u2019ve seen how productive and efficient employees can be in remote environments, there\u2019s nothing to stop us from continuing our adventure into the remote landscape.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Benefits of remote working for employees and employers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The benefits of remote working are significant, not just for employees, but for their employers too. From an employee perspective, remote working means that commute time can transform into valuable productivity time or even meaningful moments with the family. What\u2019s more, many team leaders allow their remote staff to adjust their schedules according to their needs. This means that employees can work when they\u2019re most motivated.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From an employer perspective, the remote workforce delivers better results for a lower cost input. With a remote team, you don\u2019t need to invest in as much office real estate and overheads like electricity. There\u2019s no need for dozens of high-tech computers and desk phones laid out end-to-end in a room. This means the cost of managing a team goes down significantly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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What\u2019s more, far from reducing productivity, the studies show that 39% of people who work mostly from home <\/span>work extra hours<\/span><\/a> compared to those in the office. Add the extra motivation staff members feel to the fact that employers can access the most talented and relevant employees for their team from around the world, and you can see how significant this workplace shift is.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to a survey of 3,500 remote workers, 98% of them wanted to continue working remotely, at least part-time, for the rest of their careers. <\/a><\/span>Click To Tweet<\/a><\/span><\/blockquote>\n

According to a survey of 3,500 remote workers, 98% of them<\/a> wanted to continue working remotely, at least part-time, for the rest of their careers. Even after the pandemic of COVID-19 is over and people can begin to return to work, most are unlikely to want to be \u201cin-office\u201d all of the time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Building your remote workforce<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Psychological studies tell us that when it\u2019s done right, remote working <\/span>can increase morale<\/span><\/a>, creativity and productivity in the workplace.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Psychological studies tell us that when it\u2019s done right, remote working can increase morale, creativity and productivity in the workplace. <\/a><\/span>Click To Tweet<\/a><\/span><\/blockquote>\n

However, business leaders need to make sure they have the right strategy in place to protect their companies and support their workers. In large part, the shift to a remote work environment requires a shift in mindset. The transition can be difficult for those who are used to the old-fashioned in-office environment. However, because of COVID-19, many companies have been forced to face their fears about remote working head-on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The key now is to think about how you can continue to optimise your remote workforce in the years to come.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tips for building a remote team<\/h3>\n