Working remotely has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it's not hard to see why. Remote work offers a much better work-life balance, which is essential for many employees seeking flexibility and control over their busy schedules. Without having to worry about a long office commute, remote workers save time and money, which can be spent on important activities, such as hobbies, family, or career development. All of which are big positives for employee well-being.

It’s not just beneficial for employees though as remote work allows companies to tap into a global talent pool, enabling them to hire the best candidates regardless of their location. This is particularly beneficial for businesses operating in a niche or specialised industry, where finding the right talent can be a real challenge.

However, as with anything, remote work has its own set of challenges that must be addressed. According to a survey by ExpressVPN, a virtual private network provider and cybersecurity company, remote workers struggle to separate their personal and work lives. This is understandable, considering that remote employees work from home and have multiple responsibilities to juggle. For instance, parents who work from home may have to tend to their children when they get home from school, which can affect their productivity.

On top of this, remote workers often spend time on personal tasks during work hours, such as checking and responding to personal emails, running errands, and browsing social media. While this might be problematic for some companies, it's understandable, given the unique circumstances that remote workers face.

One significant challenge for remote workers is feeling disconnected from their teammates and managers. Without daily face-to-face interactions, remote employees can feel isolated and lonely. This can have a negative impact on their mental health and productivity. To address this issue, companies and managers can implement regular check-ins and celebrations to maintain a sense of connection and appreciation. This could include weekly team meetings, monthly one-on-one sessions, or annual company retreats. Additionally, clear career paths and goals can prevent remote employees from feeling left behind. Companies should provide their remote workers with the same opportunities for growth and development as their office-based counterparts.

Another challenge for remote workers is feeling valued and essential to the company's growth. Without daily interactions with their colleagues, remote workers may feel like they are not contributing as much as they could be. Companies can empower their remote workers by creating avenues for them to voice their opinions and share feedback. This could include virtual “town hall” meetings, designated discussion forums, or regular team meetings. By promoting a culture of active listening and empathy within the organisation, companies can show their remote workers that their voices are valued and respected.

Training people managers of remote employees is essential to improve their relationships with their direct reports. Managing remote employees requires a different skill set than managing office-based employees. People managers must be able to communicate effectively, build trust, and show empathy, all while working from a distance. By providing training and support, companies can help their people managers become better equipped to handle the unique challenges that remote workers face.

In summary, supporting remote employees is crucial to their success. By understanding and addressing the challenges that remote workers face, companies can create a more inclusive and collaborative work environment, ultimately leading to improved employee satisfaction and productivity. While it may take some effort and time to implement these initiatives, the benefits to both the company and the remote workers are well worth it.

‍