Remote work: Boon or bane

Since the Covid19 pandemic, the landscape of remote work has changed significantly in the tech industry. Unlike real estate and supply-chain sectors where remote work clogs daily operations, the technology sector seems to be an ally to remote work. A 2021 study shows that 86% of software developers in North America currently work remotely. This is in stark contrast to the bare 19% working full time remotely before the pandemic. However, such
drastic work environment changes in such a short span of time don’t come without benefits and drawbacks.

Companies have so far put together a few haphazard contours to remote work. They need to start afresh, not just reframing how a remote workplace looks but also how the work processes need to change.

The roadblock in remote work

People are facing Zoom fatigue by constantly working from home

Stanford researchers published an article where they found that:
● During virtual interactions, it is easier to zone out
● Screen-based interactions make it hard to connect with other people (colleagues)
● Our brains have to work harder to make up for the lost context due to the absence of non-verbal cues
● Watching ourselves over the screen during a Zoom meeting is mentally exhausting

Add to this the double whammy of longer work hours and isolation. The cocktail of Zoom fatigue, rising work hours and fall in productivity leads to disengaged employees. Research shows that engaged employees are 17% more productive than their peers. what can help here is empathetic managers and employers who’re proactive with mental health support, flexible work hours and virtual collaboration tools.

So can innovation happen remotely?

Fostering innovation is at the heart of driving business success, especially when you operate remotely.

Tips for organisations to innovate remotely are:

● Leverage diverse perspectives and cross-functional brainstorming
● Establish an action plan to keep teams aligned and more efficiently convert
ideas into reality
● Encourage visual collaboration using virtual whiteboards
● Encourage employees to challenge a process, ask questions and experiment
with ideas

How to replicate the in-person meeting benefits and ecosystem through permanent remote options?

Remote meetings are becoming a part of how organisations function. Ensure that all participants whether they are in the same room or in different cities — feel engaged and valued.

Tips to replicate in-person meeting for remote organisations:
● Communicate effectively — For example, instant communication tools like Slack work great for people to touch base, whereas one-on-ones can be held via video conferencing tools.
● Sticking to a schedule — Everyone should understand the importance of being on time, fully present and prepared to make collaboration sessions productive.
● Reinforce the company culture — Make everyone feel a part of the company and connected by common goals, interests and more.