Creating Formal Remote Work Guidelines

Companies are adopting remote working policies more than ever at the moment, so it is important to lay out formal work policies just as you would in a traditional office setting.

Managing a distributed workforce means that communication and productivity goals are achieved a bit differently, so here are some tips for business leaders to keep their team on task.

Creating a clear, continuous channel for communication with team members is essential when working remotely. Encouraging employees to chat on a formal level is one thing, but also ensure there are some casual, light-hearted discussions as well to keep workers engaged.

Uncertainty and misconceptions can arise when people are told to work from home, such as being at higher risk for layoffs or termination, so ease the mind of staff by specifying their jobs are secure.

Outlining expectations of productivity can also help ensure staff are meeting goals, which promotes accountability and productivity.

Additionally, having a dedicated workspace at home is vital to getting work done, so offer funding that can help them in the set up process.

“It can be a fixed sum—for instance, $750, that the employee can use that goes toward broadband upgrades or external monitors or ergonomic furniture,” said  Kevin Kan, CEO of Break Out Consulting Asia. “Many conference calls or online meetings have been derailed due to slow or poor broadband connections, which contributes to a loss in productivity.”