The Coronavirus pandemic has swept the whole world by storm. It has taken the lives of hundred from different places across the globe. Its cure remains a mystery despite the relentless efforts of the medical world to discover one. Nobody wants it, but by the way things are going, COVID-19 is going to stay for quite a while.
The sweeping effect of COVID-19 has created a devastating impact on the business world. To keep the wheel of economy spinning, businesses must go on. This means people should continue to be productive in their respective fields of endeavor.
Remote jobs may be limited to a certain extent. But as long as work can be performed via the internet, companies, including those that implement managed print solutions can do it with great results.
Since everyone, except frontliners in the medical field and sellers of prime commodities are prevented from going out of their homes, companies have to adjust to keep their business going. To make this possible, they should allow their employees to work from home.
Working from home or telecommuting has been around since mid to late 2000s. It just became a necessity at this point in time because of the corona pandemic.
The shift in work environment is an anticipated outcome of the corona scare, but it still gave the majority of people and businesses a certain degree of confusion and surprise. Many are experiencing difficulty adjusting to new routines. A lot of employees are unsure what to do to be able to perform their job from a remote location.
To help you comply with the current necessity for telecommuting, we would like to give you some tips for creating a remote working environment.
But first, we thought you might want to know how Americans look at working from home as a means to earn a living. Actually, an increasing number of Americans have adopted to working from a remote environment.
- 43% of employed Americans spend time to work remotely, according to a survey conducted by New York Times
- 77% of workers claimed that they are more productive if they work from a remote location, according to a survey conducted by Connect Solutions, and
- 30% of those surveyed claim that their speed and efficiency increased when they work from home
The above data clearly shows that working remotely isn’t really that bad, and you’ll certainly be able to adopt to it by creating a suitable working environment. Here’s what you can do to create one:
1. Equip Your Place with these Remote Working Tools
A fast and Reliable Internet – that is backed by an equally efficient mobile hotspot can keep you connected to your data servers and fellow workers at all times.
Remote Desktop Apps – enable you to connect securely to a computer in another location. These apps will also allow other members of your team to view your screen from another remote device.
Public Printing Software – this enables you to print from virtually anywhere. You can download the app directly to your mobile phone to be able to print on the go. If your system entails printing and efficient document management, you should recommend that your present processes be assessed by a proficient provider of MPS print services to have it optimized.
Real-time Communication Software – download software that can give you the capability to send and receive instant messages, organize and join video conferences, and share screens with members of your team.
Remote Collaboration Software – these programs allow you and other members of your team to work together even if you’re all based in separate locations. They also allow everyone in the team to share the same file storage and edit the file simultaneously.
2. Keep Your Tasks Updated and Trackable
For purposes of clarification, this is a concern of the company or employer.
Use Project Management Software – most of these programs are easy to use. Nevertheless, be sure to let your team leader know if there is anything you don’t understand about it. They will certainly find a way to make things easier for you.
Provide Secure Virtual Workspace Tools – this will serve as the central hub where remote team members can store and share files, participate in discussions, and monitor tasks and calendars.
Keep Files Secure – Digital files are assets that need security and protection. Keep them secure with file disk encryption software. Designate someone from the team to create backups of all the digital files of the company.
Is Remote Work Fit for You?
Working remotely can be rewarding to many. Unfortunately, it is not for everyone. Secondly, if you want to do it, there are a lot of factors that you need to consider to make sure that it will work effectively for you.
The decision to work from home requires careful evaluation. But because of the COVID-19 outbreak, many offices have closed due to the urgent need to prevent people from getting physically close to one another. This prompted a majority of businesses to allow employees to work from home. The need for social distancing has left us no choice but to follow rules. After all, it is for the benefit of everyone.
If working remotely is new to you, you have a tendency to go through a period of adjustment. The new work environment, the absence of office mates and morning chit chats, and possible distractions from noisy neighbors, children, and pets could overwhelm you at the start. But you can get used to them in time. You only need to get focused and self-motivated to be able to adjust to this new work setting.
The Benefits of Working Remotely During the COVID-19 Outbreak
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the government and private sector to institute measures to control the transmission of the virus. One of these happens to be telecommuting or working from a remote location.
Allowing employees to work remotely can limit an employer’s ability to supervise its workers. But it can be solved if they shift their focus on results rather than on people performed. Telecommuting jobs can actually be beneficial to both the employer and its employees if it is properly set up and executed. These benefits include:
Employer Benefits
Savings
A remote work environment allows employers to cut costs on office space rental, energy, tables and chairs, and miscellaneous supplies like coffee, sugar, and certain toilet materials because these are absorbed by the worker who decides to work from home.
Increased Productivity
A remote work setting makes workers more productive. It allows them to save time and energy from the hassles of commuting. It can give them enough resting time and enable them to start work promptly. It gives them the ability to accomplish more.
Employee Benefits
Savings
Working from home is certainly cheaper for employees in a lot of ways.:
- It eliminates transportation cost
- It reduces expenses for maintaining office attire such as suits, shoes, bags, dresses, etc.
- It saves workers from expensive meals inside company premises
Setting up a remote working environment does not involve too much cost. You only need to have a reliable internet connection, buy a laptop if it’s not provided by the company, and grab any space, corner, or room in your house. And you’re all ready for work.
Added Safety
With travel removed from their daily routine, employees become safer not only from other vehicles but from bad elements on the road.
Improved Health
Working from home can actually minimize a person’s exposure to carbon monoxide emissions from vehicles. It also keeps them away from toxic co-workers who can cause their blood pressure to rise.
Most importantly, working from a remote environment promotes social distancing. It helps to prevent you from becoming a receiver and eventual carrier of the deadly Coronavirus.
Telecommuting or working from home is actually recommended by the World Health Organization to stop the movement and existence of the virus.
Say Goodbye to Office Politics
All offices fall prey to “office politics.” It can start from a rivalry between co-workers, a subordinate’s unacceptable behavior to gain favor from a boss, or envy. This makes the office a toxic environment. When you work from home, all these undesirable elements are gone. You only have your self and your tasks to focus on.
More Family Time
Needless to say, working from home makes you stay with family longer. It allows you to monitor family members closely while you’re working. It is a privilege. You should treasure it. Show it by giving satisfactory output. Don’t abuse it by neglecting work or playing with your children while you’re on duty. It can certainly affect your integrity and trustworthiness.
Less Stress
Work and stress are inseparable, but working from a remote environment will have lesser of it. First, it eliminates your need to rush each morning to be able to reach your office on time. Secondly, it prevents you from seeing faces of annoying co-workers which can also be stressful.
According to studies, working remotely does have more benefits than disadvantages. It increases productivity, promotes greater work-life balance and improves a worker’s overall job satisfaction.
With the measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic in full force, you really don’t have much choice. Whether you’re an employer or a worker, you need to work from a remote environment to keep your business running while protecting your employees from COVID-19 infection. It’s a move you must actively participate in to be a part of a solution for the benefit of humanity.
Should your company need print management solutions to improve its efficiency and savings, call us Toll Free at 1.844.633.3050.