Is working from home really good for your business?

Working from home. Or remote working, as it’s now called… It’s the big thing in business right now, isn’t it?

And some people love it.

They’re happier working where they want, and when they want. And that makes them more productive and less likely to leave.

But have you stopped to consider the downside to remote working? The negative elements for your business and your people?

Last week we focused in on some of the security issues that surround a business model that’s hinged by remote workers, but the complications don’t end there.

While many employees are happy to work from home using video calls and collaborative software to stay connected, there’s a small percentage who find the whole experience isolating.

And when that happens, it can quickly lead to a drop in motivation and happiness. It can even change the culture within your business.

In turn, this can lead to performance issues which may be trickier to spot.

At the other extreme, some employees will become more susceptible to burnout as they struggle to draw a line between work and personal time. That change in environment can be so important for some.

And while you want your team to be happy and fulfilled in their roles, there are also some practical considerations you need to make for your business.

Such as the cost of remote working. Does everyone have the right tools for the job – laptops, phones, office equipment? Maybe even a desk and chair, or an internet upgrade?

Do you need to spend twice – giving them an at home setup and investing in hot desks in the office?

Most importantly, you must put in place full cyber security protection wherever someone is working.

These are just overviews of how we can help you stay safe and potentially save money if you operate a business in the Fraser Valley area and are dealing with the issues of remote working. Trust us, we know what we’re talking about (even we have remote workers with our furthest tech living on Vancouver Island!).

You can learn more about how Covid affected the workforce on The Canadian Encyclopedia, where the shifts are broken down in more detail.

Would you like us to audit your current setup and suggest some options? This is what we do every day. Just get in touch.

Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.