Remote work is more popular than ever, across a variety of industries. And there’s a good reason for it: not only does it make employees happy, it reduces costs, increases productivity, and increases employee retention.
Are you thinking about implementing remote employment at your company? Here’s how to get started:
Be Clear On Employee Designations
It’s important to be crystal clear on what remote employees are considered: employees in the traditional sense, or freelance workers (sometimes called contractors). There are different tax and legal implications with each type of worker, and it’s also important to consider security and privacy issues. Your best bet is to seek the advice of a tax professional or a lawyer if you’re unclear about these designations.
Consider the Equipment
Remember: if you start allowing employees to work from home, they’ll need equipment to do so. Will you provide the physical equipment — laptops, mice, telephones, etc. — for remote work, or will you give each remote employee a stipend to use in order to set up their own home office? Or, perhaps you’re considering hiring freelancers who already have their own equipment. Establishing this ahead of time will be important when it comes time to roll out your remote employment program.
Establish Communication Guidelines
One of the most important things to make sure you maintain with remote staff is proper communication. With employees isolated away from each other, you don’t want communication to fall by the wayside. Set up methods for communication, whether it’s through phone calls, texting, video conferencing, or online message boards. Establish among your staff what methods will be used for what purposes — perhaps emailing can be used for basic communication, while phone calls and texts are used for more urgent needs.
Hold a Trial Period
If you’re only just starting to roll out a remote employment program, it’s best to implement a trial period before you open it up for full implementation. This period can last for as long as you want it to, but it’s a good idea to have it last at least a few months. That way, you’re giving time for the process to work out its kinks so you can get an accurate assessment.
Contact High Profile at 972-991-7900 or on our website to learn more about remote work and its advantages for your team.