Over the last year, working from home has become widespread due to the Coronavirus lockdown. Numerous businesses had no choice but to operate remotely to meet critical restrictions. However, this workstyle proved to be beneficial and successful for many. With reduced operating costs and shorter days available, several companies have decided to allow homeworking post-lockdown.
There are many factors to consider when implementing remote work, though, including productivity levels. While some people feel more motivated when working from home, the lack of in-person interaction can hinder work performance. To ensure your firm operates effectively without impacting morale, here are seven ways to boost your employees' productivity.
1. Provide Modern Technology
For your employees to complete work efficiently from home, they need access to sufficient equipment. The basic technology needed usually consists of a laptop and mobile phone. Depending on the job requirements, you may need to provide additional equipment for your staff, such as software, monitors, servers, and printers.
2. Outsource IT Support
Instead of relying on your existing staff members to manage remote IT issues, consider working with a Managed Service Provider. If you don't have the essential skills and experience, navigating IT tasks will take a lot longer than necessary and could lead to disruptive mistakes. Handling IT matters internally will also take time away from your team's usual duties.
The IT support company, Custard Technical Services, offer various solutions to help keep businesses productive, including back up and disaster recovery, Microsoft Office 365 migration and management, and IT Cloud services.
3. Create Online Shared Folders
It is impossible to know which previous files your team may need to reference for future projects. If you keep everything in physical paper forms in the office, nobody will have access to it while operating remotely. Creating a digital storage space through platforms, including Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive, so you can easily share documents will save time.
4. Communicate Virtually
While in-person conversations aren't possible when operating remotely, there are still many ways to communicate with staff. Emails and phone calls can, of course, continue as they usually would, and video calls have become the norm for meetings.
On top of this, replicate the casual every-day chat with employees using online communication tools such as Workplace, Microsoft Teams, and Google Hangouts.
5. Encourage A Work-Life Balance
To maintain a realistic level of productivity, your employees need enough downtime to regain energy and focus. Urge them to take annual leave, just as they would when they worked in the office, and stick to their usual working hours. Many companies have incorporated tools, such as Timetastic, that make managing holiday requests much easier than any manual system ever, which ultimately results in saving you some time and lets you plan better, and work smarter. Also, advise them to take a walk on their lunch instead of sitting at their desk.
In a recent survey, 52% of respondents said they worked longer hours and took fewer breaks while working remotely. If employees get into the habit of working in their evenings and through lunch without taking a day off to relax, they will soon burn out.
6. Advise On Suitable Workspaces
Ensure your employees are aware of how to create an appropriate at-home work environment. Operating from a sofa, bed, or kitchen counter can quickly cause uncomfortable aches and pains, making it difficult to concentrate. If your staff don't have access to ergonomic workspaces, you may need to provide the necessary equipment.
To avoid developing musculoskeletal conditions, advise homeworkers to follow the below guidelines:
• Work from a desk with knees slightly lower than your hips.
• Adjust the chair to support the lower back and so the forearms and wrists remain straight when typing.
• Keep feet rested on the floor, without crossing your legs.
• Adjust the height of the computer or laptop, so the top of the screen is at eye-level.
7. Acknowledge Successes
It is easy for employees to feel unmotivated and negative when working alone, even with online communication. You can help lift their spirits by celebrating any positive achievements your team has made. This acknowledgement shows they are appreciated, which can help inspire them.
Power Up Productivity
Whether your business will incorporate a flexible hybrid working from home scheme or decide to operate remotely full-time, consider how this could impact productivity. Putting these measures in place will help keep your team motivated, connected, efficient, and happy.
