What Is Remote Work?
Remote work has become increasingly popular in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, technological advances, and the growing need for more flexible work arrangements. It is the hiring buzzword right now. Typically, remote employees work from home or other locations outside the office, using technology such as laptops, smartphones, and video conferencing to communicate and collaborate with colleagues and clients.
The Stats
If you visit any staffing or job-seeking websites today, you can see that many companies offer remote work opportunities. Here are some stats on the U.S. workforce for 2022 from ZIPPIA to ponder:
- 26% workforce works
- 16% of companies are fully
- 68% of Americans prefer to work entirely
- 66% of the workforce works remotely, at least part-
- Turnover reduces by 50% when companies offer employees remote work
Why Is Remote Work Gaining Popularity?
Remote work has been gaining popularity for various reasons, some of which are:
- Flexibility: Employees have more control over their work-life They can work anywhere, which means they don’t have to be confined to a specific location or commute to work, giving them more time for personal pursuits.
- Increased productivity: According to research, 2% of managers agree that productivity has increased after the 2020 remote work shift. Employees claim they have fewer distractions and can focus on their work without interruptions.
- Cost savings: Remote work eliminates the need for office space, commuting costs, and other expenses associated with working in a traditional office environment. This can save both employees and employers money.
- Access to global talent: With remote work, employers can hire the best talent from anywhere in the world rather than being limited to a local pool of candidates.
Training for a Remote Workforce
An astounding 61% of remote employees feel that they need training. Companies that provide training can see consistency in work quality, processes, and procedures. Doing so ensures that every employee has the same level of knowledge and skills.
Training remote employees requires a different approach than training in-person employees. Here are some best practices for training remote employees:
- Create a clear onboarding process: Outline the steps remote employees should take to get up to speed. This could include a detailed training plan, resources, and manager check-ins.
- Establish clear goals and expectations: Clearly communicate the goals and expectations for the training program, including timeliness, assessment criteria, and any follow-up steps.
- Assess training needs: Identify the specific skills and knowledge remote employees need to succeed in their roles. This could involve reviewing job descriptions, conducting surveys, and consulting with managers and other stakeholders
- Use technology: Utilize online training platforms and tools to deliver training This could include pre-recorded videos, webinars, and interactive training sessions.
- Provide a mix of learning methods: Incorporate a mix of learning methods, including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic (hands-on) learning. This helps to accommodate different learning styles and ensures that training is engaging and effective.
- Assess progress and provide feedback: Regularly assess learner progress through reporting and give feedback to remote employees throughout the training process. This tells that you are interested in their progress, communicates what they are doing well, and defines where they need to improve. This could involve regular check-ins, assessments, and evaluations.
- Encourage interaction: Encourage and create opportunities for interaction between remote employees, their trainers, and other employees. This can be done through online chat rooms, discussion forums, and other collaborative tools.
- Make training fun: Incorporate games, quizzes, and other interactive elements into the training process to make it more engaging and enjoyable for remote employees.
Providing effective and well-documented training for remote employees is essential for their success and the success of your business. By following these steps, you can effectively train and ensure that they have the knowledge and skills they need to perform well. If you need assistance creating training programs, contact Scalability for a consultation and assessment of your company’s training needs.