The COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot about the way many businesses function and the way we work with each other. Most companies transitioned into work-from-home settings last year. While some places of work have begun to move employees back into the office, many are choosing to remain remote or allow their staff to make the decision. Before you make the choice on the behalf of your workers, here are a few things to think about.
Technology Has Made It Easier
One of the first things to consider when it comes to whether or not you should remain remote is technology. Has your company adopted the appropriate technology and communications systems to be able to sustain a work-from-home environment? Were your employees struggling to get connected or remain in the loop? All in all, tech has made things easier but only you know how your employees adjusted to the technology. So, keep that in mind when deciding if you should let your employees work from home forever.
Shifts in the Job Market
If you want your company to “keep up with the times” you should also note that there have been some major shifts in the job market. More specifically, the focus on technical skills has shifted to looking for candidates with more creative abilities. The team members with more analytical thinking, innovation, and active learning abilities may perform better in a remote environment.
Consider Productivity
As mentioned above, you need to consider how remote work has impacted your organization’s productivity overall. If you have found that productivity is lower, people are communicating less, and morale is down, maybe remote work isn’t the right move for your company. However, most organizations have found their staff to be more productive in a work-from-home setting. So, take a step back and truly consider how the shift has impacted workflow for you.
Think About Your Staff’s Mental Health
Get a feel for how working from home has affected your staff. Some of your employees may be depressed about not returning to the workplace. They may have been awaiting the announcement for when they would finally be able to get back to their desk in the office. Many people need that human interaction. Survey your employees to see how they feel about continuing to work from home. If you find some of them would prefer to return, take that into consideration. Even if you decide to let the work-from-home forever, have some remote team-building exercises and ways to be social built into your plans.
Leave It Open
For many companies, it has benefited their processes to leave the decision open to their employees. Let them have a staggered work-from-home option that allows them to come into the office a few times a week. You might also consider offering the ability for them to return to the workplace full-time, while other employees stay home.
Remote hiring can be a bit of a challenge. You don’t necessarily get to interview the candidates in person. Not to mention, training and onboarding are all done remotely as well. That’s why working with an accredited staffing agency like the Staffing Resource Group is a great idea. We can help ensure you are making the best hiring decision possible whether you are remote or working in person. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist your organization.
