Remote working is known to be the new normal but is it really the new normal or are companies just trying to make it sound fascinating? Amidst pandemic when companies offering remote working for their staff is becoming common, some are still debating if it will persist or is it just a phase. According to the BBC, managers, especially mid-level management, are right now trying hard to get their people back in the office. The main reason is that it gives their team enough time for brainstorming but also allows them to manipulate their employees to work more than required. Another research explains that people working remotely crave some leisure time, tea breaks, a few seconds of chat with their office colleagues, and a support system that their colleagues allow. Another important aspect of it is rather technical. Management wants their employees back in the office because they are paying for fast-speed internet that is imperative to run a successful business in the world we live in today and residential internet just doesn’t cut it.
As more companies are willing to call their employees back, this article will help you explore some of the cons that are imperative for companies in making this decision. We will also highlight the pros of remote working and how it can be turned into a complete success story only if managed well. For the team leads and middle management feeling lost and clueless, we have some tips that will help them manage their employees and keep them motivated.
Why Are Companies Willing to Bring Their Employees Back?We keep hearing about the reduction in operational cost due to remote working and companies are surely benefiting from it but there is a darker side to it as well. The darker side is deeply rooted in office politics, manipulation of the middle management and administration as well. Management is the main group that is getting affected because their main role revolves around handling people, improving their productivity, and keeping them motivated. All these things are possible with human contact, keeping people in control, and helping them stay motivated. With remote working management is finding it very difficult to control their teams. Apart from this, the role of middle management is now at risk which means there is a high chance that soon middle management will have to face unemployment.
Apart from this, companies are paying for updated technology, company set up, interior, better computers, and advanced technology that helps their employees to stay productive. Home internet and the comfort of the house are making people lazy, and they are looking for ways to save time and effort. Virtual meetings with weak internet are right now considered as the biggest issue behind companies calling their employees back to the offices. Even tech giants that have designed sprints have seen that internet connectivity takes their daily scrum from 15 minutes to 2 hours just because employees keep facing distortion.
Why Remote Working Is Effectively Working for Some Companies?
Work from home has become a buzzword, even you will work from home trending on social media platforms. This obsession around remote working strategies and certifications helping people to boost their remote teams is very crucial. Right now, so many companies are benefiting from it. Especially small businesses facing issues regarding high operational costs are using this for their benefit. According to some experts, remote working is a great equalizer for small businesses because it helps them to run a good business within their limited budget. They do not have to pay for office maintenance, rent, furniture, and much more.
Apart from this, employees are benefiting from the idea of working from home. They can cut their travel expenses and unlike daily office life, they do not have to rush to the office corridors barely making it on time. These employees are also benefiting from work from home by gaining complete control over their work progress. This process has also helped companies in eliminating the freeloaders who were previously depending on their team for the work progress.
How You Turn Remote Working into Success for Your Team?
For team leads and managers who want to help their teams perform better, it is imperative to bolster the relationship with their team. A fundamental step is to motivate them with the help of tangible and intangible things. As a team leader, you need to hold the reins of the team. Make sure to keep everyone in the loop and engage them with you so they feel like you are still in control. Reporting systems and using a simple task management tool is also very good. This will give you complete access to their task however, they will not feel like they are being judged.
