The Hindu Business Line : Getting started on ‘remote working’

Why do companies offer staff creative work-from-home options? Why are they training their managers to move towards output management rather than eye ball management? The reasons are many.

Work-from-home and companies

Firstly, companies want to be seen as responsible business entities in the community. “Carbon Footprint…have you measured yours lately?”, “Kick the CO₂ habit…” These are some of the objectives that companies have adopted to conserve the environment — one of the reasons why companies offer creative work options like work-from-home to potential and existing staff. Such options not only cuts down their carbon footprint by reducing commuter travel, but also reduces infrastructure costs, minimises space constraints and increases seat utilisation.

Secondly, companies want to reduce attrition. They are innovating creative recruitment and workplace policies as a means of building a stable workforce; towards this end they are recruiting housewives and retirees. Housewives largely fall into two categories – those who are educated but are primarily homemakers and have no work experience, and those who have work experience but have taken some years off to raise a family. Part-time, flexi-time and work-from-home options are being carved out to attract this target pool of candidates.

Thirdly, and the main reason companies offer such options, is respect for the employee’s need to balance work and personal commitments. They want to create a flexible working environment that is sensitive to the different needs of individuals. While flexible working options are a business imperative today, it is important to remember that this is not a one-size-fits-all option. Not all staff may be eligible for home working and not all jobs may be suited for remote working either. Also, the arrangement has to be beneficial — to the company and the individual.

Work-from-home and employees

The benefits of working from home for individuals are several. Greater discretion over working time affords greater flexibility and helps to strike the right balance between work and the other aspects of life outside of work. The arrangement creates a sense of responsibility and pride in the individuals as they feel empowered and trusted by their manager. They save precious commuting time which results not only in financial saves but also reduced tension and stress.

From the company’s standpoint, this working arrangement leads to greater retention and increased productivity. In fact, there is evidence of enhanced service quality where customers are involved. Staff are able to juggle time zones a lot better. However, moving to this work culture requires that managers be trained to review and reward the performance of work-at-home teams on a par with those on-site and also to be diligent in providing training and career opportunities to such candidates.

The employees best suited to working from home are those who have demonstrated the ability to work independently and require little supervision.

In general, jobs best suited for home working include those that can be performed at varying times, at varying locations, and those that require little unplanned face-to-face interaction with customers, co-workers, or leaders.

The challenges

There are some challenges that could arise from such an arrangement. Employees will need to consider the social interaction they need as individuals, and if they can work alone for long periods of time. Similarly, the management has to consider how to embed the company culture in these staff members and build a sense of belonging. One recommendation is to offer this option only to staff that have spent at least three months working in the office so that they have had a fair exposure to the company culture.

When opting for the work-from-home option, the company must ensure that the employee has a suitable, safe and secure working environment at home where a workstation and any required peripheral equipment can be set up and used safely without risk of injury in accordance with the minimum health and safety standards of the company. The employee must also ensure that the home environment is conducive to productive, sustained and concentrated working. Information security and confidentiality should be a primary concern and the employee should exercise care in relation to confidential or sensitive information, data and documentation belonging to the company or its customers.

Work from home creates an environment where relationships between managers and their teams are characterised by trust, empowerment and open dialogue.

It creates an inclusive working environment for a diverse workforce where everyone is able to do their best work in a way which best meets their needs and those of the company they work for. It is creative and helps people find the right balance between work and the other aspects of life outside of work.

(The writer is Head-Corporate Affairs, Scope International Pvt. Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Standard Chartered Bank, UK.)

Related Stories:
Work-from-home: Cognizant gives the concept a new dimension
Office@home
When home is also office
Can I work from home?

More Stories on : Human Resources | Human Resources

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Getting started on ‘remote working’