More and more companies are hiring remote employees. Remote workers have many benefits, including:
- Access a wider range of candidates without having to live within commuting distance
- Reduce costs by reducing office space required
- Employee happiness increases as a result of no commuting and flexible working time options
Of course, hiring remote employees comes with challenges.
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While these challenges can put some employers off, they are generally easy to solve with technology and a little creativity. Below are just some of the biggest challenges remote working poses and how to overcome them.
Supply of tools and equipment
Employees require specific equipment and tools to perform their tasks. This can involve your laptop, phone, internet connection, and various types of software. There is no legal obligation to provide this equipment to employees. However, asking employees to pay for these supplies can be seen as rude and stingy.
If you agree to provide equipment, you can attract more candidates and keep your employees happy. This includes purchasing equipment and shipping it to that address, or providing financing to purchase your own equipment. The previous option tends to be better because it allows you to choose the most appropriate equipment and ensure that all the appropriate software is installed.
Do I need to pay for my employees’ internet connection? This is usually not necessary, as many of us also use the internet for personal purposes. However, some employees may pay benefits or pay for internet supply to ensure the connection is strong enough for the job.
when hire independent contractors, it is acceptable to ask you to provide all tools and equipment yourself. However, independent contractors are not employees. You are technically self-employed and have more freedom than an employee. This needs to be considered.
Difference in time zone
Hiring remote employees gives you the freedom to hire employees who work from different states and countries. different time zones. This has its advantages. If you have clients based in different time zones, you may be able to hire employees from the same time zone to communicate more easily. The downside is that you’ll be working at different times than them.
You can ask your employees to adjust their hours to suit their time zone, but some remote applicants may not want to work night shifts or twilight hours to accommodate your schedule. This may limit the number of people you can hire. Another option is to allow remote employees to choose their own work hours, with the exception of occasional “catch up” meetings (which can be scheduled at times that work best for both parties) That’s it. It really depends on the team and the amount of communication required.
If you schedule a meeting with staff from other time zones, make sure the meeting time is clear.Is it 4 PM in their time zone or 4 PM in their time zone? Write the meeting time like this10am (New York), 3pm (London)‘ It might clear up some confusion.
communication problems
Being in the same office makes it easier to communicate throughout the day. When communicating with remote employees, you need to leverage technology to do so. There are four main options: email, instant messaging, voice calls, and video calls.
Video calls are the closest alternative to physical communication because you can talk face-to-face with your employees. However, face-to-face communication is not always necessary and has its drawbacks. Unscheduled video calls can be seen as a nuisance, and too many video calls can lead to “Zoom fatigue.” We recommend booking video calls for special meetings.
Voice calls can be made via mobile phone or VoIP. These are a less invasive form of communication than Zoom calls, but they can still be a nuisance if you rely on them all day long. Instant messaging is a great option for relaying quick information that doesn’t necessarily require an immediate response. Also suitable for sending files and links. Email is the slowest option, but is a good choice for sending lengthy or written information that you want to easily reference.
Regular communication is encouraged to maintain good working relationships with employees. However, you shouldn’t keep texting or calling your employee all day long.This post provides the following detailed information How to communicate effectively with remote teams.
security risk
Remote employees can pose a security risk, especially if they work on unsecured public Wi-Fi or use unsecured devices. Sensitive data that can be stored within the office may need to be shared on the cloud. As a result, the risk of falling into the wrong hands increases.
Typically, information must be shared on a secure cloud server. You must ensure that your login is secure and that your password is updated regularly. To ensure the safety of remote workers’ Wi-Fi, some employers encourage employees to use his VPN.
Another way to help remote employees work safely is for your company to provide them with devices that have security software installed. That way, you can be sure that the devices they are using are not vulnerable. Security can be a good motivator to pay for your employees’ internet connection as well, as you can be sure that their internet meets certain standards.
this Data security overview Learn more ways to keep your business safe when hiring remote employees. Outsourcing to a cybersecurity company can help you implement security measures.
Monitoring employee progress
Some employers don’t like the idea of not being able to physically monitor employees to see if they’re working or check on their progress. However, there are several ways. Use technology to monitor employees.
There are many apps that allow you to set up tasks that your employees can check off after completing them. If your employee is working on a document, you can have her work in the cloud, where she can access and check on her progress at any time. Finally, there is screen monitoring software or call monitoring software that you can use. Of course, this can only be installed on work devices, so employees should be warned before implementing it.
It is important to note that heavy use of technology to monitor employees can be considered invasive. Practicing a certain level of trust increases employee happiness and productivity. Unless your remote employees are underperforming or you’re having a hard time catching them, there may be no reason to closely monitor your employees.
Keep employees motivated
Although many employees report being happier working from home than in the office, some still struggle with feelings of loneliness or feel stuck at home. It’s often easier to monitor employee mood and take action in a physical office. This is why it’s important to regularly check in on your remote employees and put measures in place to keep them motivated.
Here are various tricks you can use to motivate your remote employees:
- Offer benefits that encourage employees to get outside, such as hybrid work options or regular gift cards to coffee shops.
- Offer benefits that encourage employees to be active in their free time, such as paid gym memberships and discounts at local restaurants/movie theaters.
- Give your loyal employees benefits like raises and more paid time off.
- Create work group chats to encourage interaction between remote employees.
- Add some humor to your emails or allow chatter about your personal life during Zoom calls.
By getting creative, you might be able to find other ways to motivate your remote employees.