How does working remote work?
So many people are working from home now that it almost seems like the new normal. But it is so different than the usual running around the office and making conversation with your coworkers in the hallway. There is no more commute to work, peace and quiet (if you do not have family members home with you), and a lot more freedom. But how do things like meetings, hiring, getting equipment, and training work? The key feature to all of these things is video conferencing apps like Zoom, Skype, or Microsoft Teams. Each area utilizes it a little differently though. Working remote poses some challenges, but with practice, you will definitely get the hang of it.
Meetings
Oh, meetings. Meetings are a staple in any business. They are how coworkers keep connected to each other and to other departments. Without them, a company would be unable to stay on the same page and achieve the same goal. So, without the board room, PowerPoint, and long table, how do you hold a meeting from home. With new technology, you are able to have a virtual meeting where everyone is able to speak, participate, and share their progress. They are even able to share their screen so that everyone can see the same thing and keep on track. These virtual meetings are great ways to accomplish the same thing as a traditional in-person meeting, without actually having to be together.
Hiring
Hiring can be stressful traditionally when you are doing phone interviews and then the in-person interview. But with remote work it changes the game and flips conventional traditions on their heads. The beginning of the hiring process is relatively the same, as many applications are submitted online. However, once you accept the interview is when things begin to change. You are no longer able to meet in person, so you must have a meeting virtually. This poses some challenges because there are many nonverbal cues such as gestures, a person’s clothing, walk, or even the way they hold themselves. These nonverbal cues can tell a lot about a person, so having virtual meetings can alter your perception either negatively or positively about the person being interviewed. Also, the person being interviewed is not able to feel out the physical environment of the business.
Training
After you get the job things are also a bit different. Instead of going in to meet, see, and learn about your new role you will have training conducted online. Depending on your industry this may look different. Some things to expect are online training courses, virtually meeting with your coworkers, boss, and executives, and watching tutorials on how to complete paperwork or navigate the software. This training will not only cover the traditional human resources items but will also have to ensure that you are technologically competent enough to complete your job and set you up for success. While the training may look different, it should address all of the same things and more.
Equipment
Of course, when you are working remote you have to have the right equipment to do so. The mainstay of your equipment is going to be your computer. There are 2 ways a company can ensure that their employees have exactly what they need. The first way is to simply provide it to them by having it shipped to their address or having them pick it up in the main office. The other way is to give out a stipend to purchase the equipment that meets certain standards. A receipt would have to be turned in to approve the purchase. Either way is fine as long as you have what you need to do your work.
Overall working from the comfort of your home is different than traditional office work. Adapting to the changing work climate can take some time, but it can have some amazing benefits for you and your company.
