Remote employment has, for many, become the “new normal” over the past few months. While working from home affords individuals a number of key advantages, it also presents plenty of challenges as well. That, of course, goes double for professionals suffering from the recent economic downturn. If you’ve recently struggled to perform at your best while working from home, then this blog post is for you. Here are three common problems associated with remote employment, and what you can do to overcome them:
1. Miscommunication
To be fair, even employees who sit ten feet away from each other may have misunderstandings from time to time. That much is unavoidable. Still, working remotely increases the possibility of communication breakdowns occurring. Since you may not see your colleagues for weeks or months at a time if you primarily work from home, it’s especially important to check in with them regularly to ensure no major assignments are slipping through the cracks. What’s more, do your best to write clear and concise emails and digital messages. You wouldn’t want to inadvertently confuse a coworker with a vague email, after all. So edit any messages you send closely and carefully.
2. Distractions
Corporate offices are designed to reduce common distractions. Living rooms, on the other hand, can prove very difficult places to work effectively. Dealing with roommates, noisy neighbors, and/or cloying children can break the concentration of even the most dedicated employee. Therefore, it’s important for remote employees to invest in a home office that will allow them to work free from the distractions associated with a day around the house.
3. Lack of Motivation
Some professionals struggle to adapt to working from home on a consistent basis. They find that they miss the hustle and bustle of the office, the ability to fraternize with coworkers, and the freedom associated with getting out of the house. As a result, they may struggle to get motivated while operating from their own home. In order to combat this potential malaise, professionals must be willing to develop self-discipline and set both short and long-term goals for themselves. Additionally, they could also decide to schedule regular progress reports with their coworkers to ensure that they never fall behind the rest of their team –– particularly if they’re working on a collaborative project together.
Conclusion
Business leaders must recognize that some professionals may not enjoy the experience of working from home. The good news is that there are a variety of ways that business owners can improve remote employee performance. Whether you need to charter a private jet to arrange a crucial meeting for remote team members, or invest in a new phone system to cut down on missed voicemails, making a few smart purchases from time to time can help your team to adjust to a primarily remote work environment.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
