Remote working has blown up in popularity, so we’re debunking some of its most common myths!
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, working nine hours each day in an office was perfectly normal. But today, remote working has completely revolutionized the professional workplace forever—and it’s looking like there’s no going back.
Many business professionals doubt or even scoff at the concept of remote work, and there are still many myths associated with remote working as it’s become more mainstream.
Below we’ll be debunking four of the most common myths associated with remote working!
Four Common Myths About Remote Working
Although there are many unwarranted myths about remote working, below are some of the most common:
1. “Remote Workers Are Less Productive Than Office Workers”
A lot of people will overlook the contributions and overall productivity of remote workers, and this is simply because this productivity isn’t happening directly in front of one another like it does in offices. Productivity has certainly been at the forefront of the remote working debate in recent years, because many business leaders unfortunately can’t help themselves but thinking the worst of other people when they don’t have direct oversight of them.
The truth is that conventional offices are often more distracting than home offices, and this is because people will get caught up in conversations, will take longer breaks, and will generally get more distracted simply because there are more people to initiate distractions.
Even the Harvard Business Review has conducted studies oriented around the productivity of remote workers, and they found that remote workers were actually about 14% more productive as compared to office workers!
2. “Remote Workers Need Specialized Equipment”
Most business leaders want to minimize their overhead expenses as much as possible, because this is one of the most efficient ways to maximize profit margins. So it’s no surprise how there’s a myth oriented around the perceived costs associated with remote workers, because it plays into the same type of paranoia associated with its ill-perceived productivity.
Due to the advancements of telecom technology like VoIP phone systems, there’s no need for additional tech support or equipment when your employees transition to home offices. When you compare the necessary equipment between office and remote workers, it’s virtually the exact same. Remote workers don’t need much, but they do need unified communications and cloud-based technology.
The vast majority of businesses end up saving a lot of money when they partner up with remote workers. We’re talking thousands of dollars per person that business leaders can save by embracing the remote work trend. And when you don’t need to invest in as much office space and equipment, you can then reallocate these investments into other parts of your company.
3. “Remote Workers Are Out Of Touch”
A lot of business managers question how they can maintain their company culture while simultaneously embracing remote working and a more virtual communication environment. It has raised the question in recent years about how remote workers contribute to corporate culture, and whether or not vital information and knowledge can be shared through screens.
What’s important to remember is that remote workers don’t live in a vacuum, and they’re perfectly capable of communicating with your entire team through digital platforms. And what’s great about this transition is that it isn’t all that unfamiliar for people these days, particularly for those who stay in touch with family and friends through social media and other online outlets.
Although there may be some learning curves for companies as they transition to remote working, these transitions shouldn’t be all that difficult. The main thing that business leaders need to keep in mind when it comes to managing remote workers is that it’s on them to consistently and clearly communicate with their co-workers in order to keep everyone on the same page.
4. “Remote Workers Jeopardize Business Security”
IT security tends to be easy when everyone is working within the same office building, and this can get more complicated when remote workers are logging in through home networks and other digital devices to collaborate and get tasks completed.
The good news is that these types of security concerns can easily be mitigated, and that business leaders largely don’t have to worry about data breaches that indirectly come from their remote workers. Most businesses will outsource their security to telecom providers like Data Talk, and these added security layers essentially negate any risks that remote workers could possibly pose.
So although there may be more security factors to keep in mind when your business team works remotely, having remote workers doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re more susceptible to data breaches.
Data Talk Is Here To Support Your Company’s Unified Communications & Remote Working Strategies!
Data Talk is the leading telecom provider in central Ohio, and we’ve supported hundreds of businesses throughout recent years as they’ve transitioned away from offices and toward remote working.
Reach out to us online or give us a call at 614-784-7100 to speak with our industry specialists today about how we can help your company make the most out of your remote working strategies!
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