Remote workforce is, nowadays, the new normal. Corporations and small businesses no longer care how and where the tasks get done. This flexibility offers employers and employees the possibility to be safe during the global pandemic of Covid-19.
For many entrepreneurs, this is a new experience, because there never has been a time when 100% of the teams worked remotely. For professionals who can perform tasks on their own (developers or marketers), this is easier to do. Still, for employees whose entire job implies communicating with people (for example, sales managers), the task is much more difficult.
At the same time, in the heads of many executives, the words “remote work” are associated with a disheveled guy with a laptop on his lap, constantly chewing on something and clicking on the keyboard. How could he ever be called an employee? But what if circumstances force the whole team to work from home?
In fact, out-of-office employees bring decent savings to the business. For example, 67% of the companies that organized their activity remotely, managed to reduce their costs (the Internet, the office, the equipment, etc.), and 14% constantly save on the Payroll Fund, since those who work from home rarely take official sick leave and do not ask for bonuses for work after 18:00.
But how to organize the process so that "the wolves are fed and the sheep are safe"?
In most cases, organizing work remotely is not a problem. A good computer and high-speed Internet solve all problems. On the other hand, working from home implies some employee self-discipline, because there’s no one there looking over their shoulder to see how you’re doing.
Moreover, now, all business trips have been minimized: meetings are held via audio and video communications. Employees who have returned from countries where coronavirus outbreaks have been reported are advised to work from home with remote access.
Some international companies have compiled a list of potentially dangerous regions, taking into account the recommendations of the authorities of the countries where their headquarters are located. Some companies have set up separate units to respond to coronavirus outbreaks.
To transfer everyone to remote work, most companies need an IT infrastructure. IT giants volunteered to help. Due to the spread of the coronavirus, Google and Microsoft temporarily provided free tariffs for collaboration services G Suite and Microsoft Teams. In particular, users of G Suite paid tariffs will be able to organize free-of-charge teleconferences for 250 people.
What about you? Are you a part of the #workfromhome movement, or do you continue to do your job without being affected by the Covid-19?
