The age-old dream of working from home has now become a reality for many employees, who aim at drawing a work-life balance in their lives. With the evolution of internet and cloud storage, data can be stored and shared anywhere anytime across the globe, thus eliminating the need for a physical set-up such as office space for an employer.
Remote working is getting more popular with increasing technology advancements, wherein people are able to share and transmit data on mobile. Herein, HR managers face one of the more common challenges to manage and retain remote workforce.
How do hiring managers factor if an employee is struggling or slacking in efforts? It is required that communication lines are open at all times between the employer and the employee to tell, if an employee is on job or not.
Not all employees are at their peak productivity and performance when working from home, many develop a slack attitude towards their jobs, thus delaying work commitments. Immediate line managers should ensure that the work is delivered timely and correctly as per the job requirements. Here are top 5 essential tips for HR managers to manage remotely working employees:
If clients and job requires work to be accomplished in a 9 to 5 work day, then the employee should be available during those hours at work. However, if timing of work is not particularly important then there should be strict end of the week deadlines to complete tasks.
It is always important to get employees to work for certain number of hours every day, such that immediate work doesn’t get put off till the end of the week. In most cases, it is important for the employer and employee to understand and cooperate with the work schedule to meet expectations.
See: Are Remote Employees Good for Business?
Weekly goals and expectations from a remote employee should be clearly defined. Irrespective of the employee being paid on an hourly basis or as per project basis, the remote employees should be made aware of the timeframes and deadlines to be met.
When employees are allowed the flexibility to work from home, it means you are showing trust to get the job done without having a supervisory authority to look over their shoulder. However be demanding when it comes to accomplishing work within deadlines. Be flexible within reason on when and how the work gets done.
It is required by employers to provide remote working employees with all necessary tools they need to succeed on job. It is important for employers to ensure that the remote staffers are aware of the tools they have to download to meet the project requirements. If you’re providing software, knowledge or arranging for supplies that the employee needs to buy on their own, it is important that the remote employees stay informed of all tools they need to perform, right from the first day at work.
The most experienced, knowledgeable and intelligent employee is bound to have questions during their workings, so make yourself available to respond to them immediately through an online messaging tool or email.
Speak to them about their concerns and try to resolve them at onset. Since every employee is not so forthcoming when it comes to expressing concerns, check with them frequently if they have any unresolved issues that need immediate action. Make sure to help them feel comfortable in their workings and understand what is required of them.
These key tips will help HR managers to manage remote employees effectively, and stay in touch constantly with these key contributors supporting organisation endeavours.
Also read: Hiring Remote Workers? Here are 5 Considerations
