Discover how remote worker monitoring software can help employers create an effective hybrid working environment that works for everyone. 

‍

Though perpetually postponed as new variants of Covid come and go, the ongoing discussion surrounding the future of remote working continues to hang in the air. As we now approach the two-year anniversary of the pandemic one thing is clear: not only have employees adapted to remote working, but many actually prefer it. 

‍

But not all positions are suitable for the home office, nor are all employees thrilled with the change. Not to mention, many employers are still resistant to the idea of long-term remote working due to reasonable concerns about losses in employee productivity and their ability to effectively coach teams remotely.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Remote Working 

‍

There are many remote work advantages. For employees, remote working offers substantial benefits like: a more flexible schedule, time and costs saved on commuting, and a more customized working environment. In fact, for some employees, working from home without the distractions of an open-office environment helps them focus more on their work, even increasing their productivity. 

‍

But remote working doesn’t just offer benefits for employees; employers are also discovering the advantages. For one, the lack of geographical limitations increases the pool of talent that employers have access to. For some companies, extended operating hours have become possible due to flexible schedules, and enterprises also stand to save money on office space and energy costs. 

‍

These combined advantages show that remote working can bring benefits to employees and employers alike. But there are also notable disadvantages of remote working that pose potential problems that can’t be easily dismissed. 

‍

One of the biggest worries for employers is that remote working may jeopardize employee productivity. This is one reason why remote employee monitoring software is on the rise. Leaders depend on the ability to maintain  good rapport with their teams, which requires them to find new and innovative ways to effectively lead their teams remotely. And remote work monitoring software enables them to do just that.

‍

‍

The Demand for a Hybrid Working Model

‍

Covid has made us fundamentally question the way we view employee productivity. In many cases, remote working models can actually improve productivity if they are set up appropriately. The rise of remote working has made a simple and obvious fact more evident - not all employees are the same. 

‍

A workforce is made up of many individuals who work and thrive differently based on differing needs. An accommodating hybrid working model that treats difference as an asset can bring great value to an enterprise.

‍

For employers, recognizing this fact and shifting their mindset is the first step to reaping the potential benefits of more dynamic working models.  

‍

This is why more and more companies are adopting a hybrid working model, which offers more variety in where and when employees can work. In a time when people are quitting their jobs in record numbers, this has proven essential as employees and new candidates are increasingly demanding more workplace autonomy. 

‍

Hybrid working models seem to be a solid solution to please everyone and maximize workforce potential. But is everyone pleased? 

‍

Findings from a recent poll of workers in the U.K. demonstrate some of the challenges employers are facing when putting together hybrid working policies. One such challenge is the controversial question of whether remote workers should be paid less than their in-office colleagues. According to the poll, a quarter of respondents answered yes. 

‍

Companies Experiment with Controversial Remote Working Policies

‍

The question of pay differences for remote workers comes as some major companies begin to experiment with new policies which aim to incentivize workers to return to the office. 

‍

For example, companies like Facebook, Google, and Twitter have cut pay for remote employees who relocate to less expensive areas. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this move has caused an uproar among employees, particularly among those for whom remote working offers relief from painful commute times. 

‍

Location-specific salaries are nothing new, but hybrid working models have led many to seek a better standard of living by relocating to areas where the cost of living is lower. This trend has many employers scrambling to find an ideal solution that works for employees and the company. 

‍

When it comes to pay cuts for remote workers, not all employers are following suit. Companies like Reddit and Zillow are fully embracing remote working by shifting to pay models that are not location specific, claiming advantages when it comes to diversity as well as hiring and retaining employees. 

‍

Location is one part of the debate, but differing opinions regarding the value of in-office vs remote employees also seem to ride on the assumption that in-office employees produce more quality work than their remote counterparts. 

‍

Flexible Work Expectations Are Here to Stay

‍

The demand for a more flexible working model shows no signs of slowing down. In the poll of UK workers mentioned above, roughly 30% of respondents said they would be willing to take a pay cut in exchange for a remote working option. However, slightly more responded that they would not, meaning that employers have their work cut out for them. 

‍

Assumptions in the workforce about the value and productivity of remote employees could lead to resentment in the workplace if not approached properly. In an already uncertain time establishing good rapport and maintaining morale among your workforce is more important than ever. 

‍

So how can employers navigate these concerns when trying to establish an effective hybrid working model? 

‍

Leveling the Playing Field with Remote Employee Monitoring Software

‍

The answer lies in how employee productivity and quality of work are evaluated. Employers and managers need to leverage objective tools that can help assist them in managing a hybrid working environment. Through the use of remote employee management software for monitoring productivity of remote employees, employers can effectively level the playing field between remote and in-office workers. 

‍

Not only does remote working have value, it’s arguably a valuable job skill. As with the development of other skills in the workplace, it's important that managers have the ability and tools needed to enable employees to fine-tune those skills. Software to  monitor remote workers can be a powerful tool for employee enablement. 

‍

Remote workforce management software is not only for companies tracking employees working from home, it can also be used to monitor in-office productivity. This way, every employee is equally provided with objective and valuable insights into their own performance and productivity. 

‍

Remote employee productivity monitoring software can offer peace of mind to employers and remote and in-office employees alike by leveraging deep behavioral data insights to analyze and optimize the workforce. 

‍

In short, remote worker monitoring software can help empower your workforce to be more flexible, more productive, and future-ready.