Since the beginning of the pandemic, more and more businesses are practising remote working. During lockdown, there wasn’t much choice in the matter. But as we come out of the height of the pandemic, some businesses are keeping remote working in some form or other.
As with anything new, misconceptions crop up. And as working from home increased, so did the myths.
If you have concerns about remote working, we’re here to help set the record straight.
Myth #1: People don’t work as much at home
A lot of people think if employees aren’t in the office, they won’t get as much work done. Without their managers and colleagues to hold them accountable, it’s very easy to get distracted. Some employers have concerns that remote workers sit around in their pyjamas all day, watching Netflix, and doing as little work as humanly possible.
But in reality, the opposite is often true. A recent Stanford study found that remote work leads to a 13% increase in employee performance. According to the annual survey, 65% of employees claim to be more productive when working outside the traditional office setting.
When you think about it, it’s not so difficult to believe. When you’re working alone in your home, you don’t have the distraction of the office buzz and chit chat. It’s just you and the laptop.
Meetings are online which makes it easier to stick to timings. Not to mention, workers are probably getting more sleep and downtime as they cut the hours commuting to and from the office out of their daily routine.
Myth #2: Professional relationships are harder to maintain
It makes sense to have concerns about work relationships if no-one is spending any physical time with each other. Surely communication is more difficult and less frequent? People don’t get to know each other as well?
But as an employer, if you practise remote working properly, this shouldn’t be the case. It’s all about focusing your priorities on the right things. One of which should be communication. If you don’t prioritise positive working relationships, they’ll suffer regardless of whether they’re in the office or working remotely.
There are plenty of ways to keep employees connected online. Communication apps have become highly popular amongst teams. In fact, you can now use virtual office apps that provide video chat and instant messaging, separate rooms for different uses and much more. Much like you’d need to commit to communication in the office, you just have to commit to using remote platforms too.
Myth #3: People are happier in the office
It’s no secret that loneliness was an unfortunate symptom of lockdown. And many employers have concerns about how the rise in home working may increase loneliness or unhappiness in their employees.
But in reality, studies have found that many employees are happier when they’re working from home. Or at least if they have the option. According to AmeriSleep, 75% of employees want to work remotely for the rest of their careers. 80% feel less stressed since working from home.
Employees enjoy and appreciate the flexibility. It builds trust, increases productivity and encourages independence.
AFP can help
A big concern about remote working is the move to digital. AFP can help you with that. Whether it’s improving workflow, setting up your smart office or ongoing advice and support, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch with us today to find out more about how we can help.