How to Effectively Monitor Employees Working From Home

2018-11-02

Does technological developments mean you have to embrace each new trend entering the market? The short answer is no. But don’t be too quick to judge any one change. It may be the thing that makes your team’s productivity spike.

 

One such example is remote working: A controversial subject in many companies, we believe it’s worth a second look.

 

Is Remote Working Worth the Trouble?

There are quite a few reasons why this work method isn’t a passing trend, but becoming more prevalent. Here’s why some of your workers are hinting at making this work for them too:

• They will spend less time in traffic which is bound to improve their productivity.
• Some workers with family challenges may be able to focus on both work and the problems at hand without compromising on productivity & work quality. When they don’t feel they’re neglecting their home life by being at the office all the time, they’ll be more positive.
• Certain individuals work better on their own than in a group setup.
• A home work environment can be more conducive to deliver high quality work, especially if that environment minimizes distractions.

As a bonus you may get more loyalty from your workers when they see you’re willing to consider their requests. You can even save money on renting office space if you don’t need to cater for the whole team.

Important tip: This setup won’t work for everyone. It’s important you evaluate the individual’s environment at home, as well as his or her ability to use self discipline when no one is around to monitor work delivery.

 

So yes, this approach can have many benefits in store for you. But one thing is for certain though: You need a very specific management system if you want to make this sustainable. That’s why you need the following checklist.

 

How to Get it Right

If you already have remote workers you’re probably aware of the challenges. It’s worth auditing your structure to see if these tips can improve your outcomes.

 

Compile and Communicate KPIs

You and your remote workers need to be on the same page at all times. When they know how you’ll measure outcomes, they’ll know how to prioritize, work and report. So, compile your list of KPIs (key performance indicators) and then send them to all your remote workers.

 

Communicating the bigger picture will also make them feel part of a bigger purpose and legacy. This can be a great motivator for quality work. Understanding a manager’s perspective enables a worker to align his or her goals with the project at hand.

 

Is Everyone Aware of Your Goals?

Many managers don’t want to consider this method because they think it will only lead to disappointment. When do you feel disappointed? Usually it’s when your expectations don’t align with the outcomes.

 

But do your workers even know what you expect of them?

 

When someone works at home they won’t be surrounded by leaders and managers who share vision all the time. Before their first day away from the office your workers need to know exactly what the company’s vision and goals (long term & short term) are. They need this to make informed decisions during their work days.

 

Can You Track Time?

Of course, you can’t simply let each worker carry on on their own. You’re allowed to enforce certain methods of control.

 

Handy tip: Communicate these methods as tools that protect both parties. It helps employees stay accountable without robbing them of time, while helping the company stay informed of everyone’s actions.

 

A prime reason for conflict could be the amount of time spent on work while not at the office. Make it easy by implementing time trackers on computers or mobile phones. This data will be accurate and can be sent to the HR department instantly. It will also help workers know how much time they spent working so they don’t work over time.

It should be seen as a helpful tool, not simply a mechanism for control.

 

Can You Improve Your Communication?

Here’s the one area worth investing a lot of time and effort in: Communication.

 

Yes, you can use Emails and phone calls, but technology supplies us with much better options. A video call is more personal and prevents misunderstanding, since you can see someone’s face & hear their tone of voice. It also adds a personal touch to the relationship so remote workers don’t start feeling completely disconnected from the company.

 

Management Software is Your New Best Friend

Ready to take it one step further? The ultimate in communication technology is management software.

 

Management software and their mobile apps can help teams work together even if they’re not in the same office anymore. With a program such as Serfy you can keep all your communication on one platform, as well as the relevant documents. Feedback from remote workers keeps all relevant parties informed.

 

Reporting and Feedback Comes Standard

You won’t know whether you’re getting the necessary results if you don’t implement an effective reporting system. It’s your responsibility to set the ground rules:

• How often you need feedback
• Provide standardized communication forms
• How often do you require face to face meetings in the office? (these should still take place if possible)
• Set dead lines

 

The latter works well to keep up momentum as it often motivates a faster work flow.

 

Final Thoughts

Don’t let outdated work methods keep you from getting the best out of your workers. One last important consideration: You may lose your most valued staff members if you’re not even willing to discuss the possibility. They may need to move for personal reasons or another company may offer them this as a perc.

 

Now it’s up to you: Can you make this work for your business?