Как работать удаленно: кем работать, если ничего не умеешь

Удалённая работа. Как начать работать из дома и не сойти с ума / Хабр

Всё большее количество компаний переводят своих сотрудников на работу из дома. Этот тренд ускорился пандемией коронавируса. Меньше контактов – меньше вероятности заболеть. Работу, при этом, выполнять, всё равно, нужно. Не затрагивая технических сложностей перевода сотрудников на удалённую работу (пусть об этом голова болит у работодателя), хочу остановиться на теме проблемы работы из дома и возникающего стресса.

Начиная со школы, мы чётко для себя научились разграничивать личное пространство, дом, где можно заниматься своими делами и местом учёбы/работы, со своими требования к внешнему виду и правилами поведения. После стольких лет научения приходится резко менять свои привычки, что приводит к стрессу, неудовлетворённости в работе, личной жизни. Возникают неизбежные конфликты, ссоры, что только подстёгивает недовольство собой, замыкая проблемный круг.

Кто я такой, чтобы давать советы? У меня большой опыт удалённой работы. За больше, чем 10 лет я испробовал различные лайфхаки «из интернета» и книг по тайм-менеджменту. Любое изменение в стиле работы, поведению, требует усилий. Внедрение нерабочей же практики вызывает внутренний протест и стойкое нежелание что-то менять в будущем. Я хочу поделиться своим опытом и знаниями, которые помогут избегнуть стресса и плавно переключиться на удалённую работу.

Как же начать работать из дома и не сойти с ума?

Подготовка

1. Рабочее пространство. Постарайтесь найти место, откуда домашние не будут периодически вас просить пересесть. Обеденный стол, где собирается вся семья, крайне неудачный вариант.
   

   
   
   • Будут ли встречи проходить в формате видеоконференций? Заранее установите камеру так, чтобы собеседники видели только вас. Сделайте пару скриншотов с камеры и внимательно рассмотрите пространство за вами. Осталось ли там что-то, что может дискредитировать вас в глазах коллег? Может, наоборот, вы хотите чем-то похвастаться? Грамоты, сертификаты – только не переусердствуйте! Подумайте, может ли кто-то в самый ответственный момент появиться за вашей спиной в неприглядном виде? Помните закон Мёрфи: «Всё, что может пойти не так, пойдет не так»;
     
   • Уберите всё, что не касается работы. Вы здесь только работаете!
     Вспомните, что вам нужно было в офисе – ручки, записные книжки, наушники. В самый ответственный момент не придётся искать, прерывая себя;
   • Подготовьте гарнитуру с микрофоном. Хуже не придумаешь, когда домашние будут слышать все ваши разговоры и комментировать их;
   
   

2. Время работы. Каков ваш график был в офисе? Проговорите ещё раз с руководителем о времени начала и окончания работы. Таким образом, вы сразу выясните ожидания своего начальника и избежите неприятных сюрпризов;

   
   

3. Разговор с домашними. Это трудный, но важный шаг, который необходимо пройти. Объясните, что в ваше обычное время работы, вы будете не доступны для личных дел, просьб или походов в магазин. Расскажите, что вы будете игнорировать просьбы не потому, что стали эгоистом, а находитесь на работе. Зачастую, потребуется не один разговор, чтобы домашние приняли новые правила.
   

   
   

Рабочее время

1. Не ломайте свои привычки! Встаёте в рабочие будни в 6? Продолжайте. Смена ритмов негативно сказывается на организме и вызывает стресс. Иллюзия дополнительного времени, которое появляется из-за близости кровати и рабочего места, к сожалению, остаётся лишь иллюзией. Стресс лишь увеличит время, которое вы обычно тратили на знакомые действия по работе, вызывая досаду и неудовольствие собой;

   
   

2. Включение в рабочий процесс. В среднем, для полного переключения к новой задаче требуется около 20 минут. Отличное время для прогулки! Не бросайтесь сразу за своё рабочее место, потратьте это время с умом. Сила привычки в нас настолько велика, что организм будет ждать поездки на работу. Помогите ему в этом! У вас есть 20 минут, чтобы прогуляться и переключить свои мысли с домашних дел на рабочие. Попробуйте использовать счётчик шагов. Если раньше рекомендованные 10тыс шагов давались с трудом, то сейчас можно поставить себе цель их достигнуть;

   
   

3. Скажите домашним о начале рабочего дня. Да, уже вы рассказали им, что работаете из дома. Да, все согласились. Да, всё поняли. Не лишним будет напомнить, что с этого момента вы на работе;

   
   

4. Одежда. Даже если не предполагается участие в видеоконференциях, оставьте домашнюю одежду для того времени, когда вы закончите работать. Обманите свой мозг, не дайте ему почувствовать, что вы дома и можете расслабиться.

   
   

5. Подготовьте список дел на неделю/день. Отбросьте застарелые стереотипы, что русские могут работать только в авральном режиме. Без планирования мы не отправили бы человека в космос. Оглянитесь вокруг себя. Вы найдёте в своём окружении людей организованных и целеустремлённых. Стремитесь к лучшим примерам!
   Одно из частых возражений на планирование является быстрая изменчивость мира. Но для того и существуют планы, чтобы реагировать на внешнее непостоянство. Процесс чистки зубов не нуждается в планировании, потому что он предсказуем и интуитивно понятен.
   Список дел на день или неделю должен быть обязательно материальным – будь то планировщик задач, ежедневник или лист бумаги и быть всегда перед глазами. Вычёркивайте выполненные задачи, смотрите, что необходимо выполнить следом, дополняйте его, если необходимо.
   Когда составлять план? Всё зависит от характера вашей работы и личных предпочтений. Попробуйте как с утра, так и с подведением итогов дня, вечером;

   
   

6. Виртуальные рабочие столы. Большой соблазн остаётся смотреть что-то, не относящееся к рабочим вопросам. Попробуйте использовать виртуальные рабочие столы – один для работы, один для всего остального. Таким образом, вы уберёте отвлекающие приложения и сайты. Станет меньше соблазна делать что-то иное;

   
   

7. Завершение рабочего дня. Настало время закончить дела на сегодня и вернуться домой. Сходите снова на прогулку, попробуйте побить утренний результат по шагам. Вернувшись, обязательно скажите домашним, что на сегодня работать вы закончили.

   
   

В дополнение

Жизнь вносит свои коррективы в разработанный график, в желание делать всё правильно или по-новому. На каждый момент жизни не разработаешь план, не дашь совета. Попробуйте лишь задать себе один вопрос: «Как бы я поступил, будучи в офисе, на виду у своих коллег?».

90000 9 Tips & Tools to Master Remote Life 90001 90002 Are you one of the millions of workers who recently dove head-first into remote work from home? Welcome to the crew. 90003 90002 There are a few categories you might fall into when you first start. Some people find out that they were totally made for remote work. Some have plenty of things they need to get used to. And there’s another category of people who feel like working remotely is complete anarchy and chaos. 90003 90002 But the good news is: Even if you’re in the last group, there are loads of tips, tools, and resources to help you get into the swing of things as fast as possible.90003 90002 In this article, we’ll go over some tips and tricks on how to work smoothly with your team while making sure you stay productive and comfortable yourself. You’ll also get the lowdown on some of the best collaboration tools for remote teams and workers. 90003 90002 Ready to get productive? Let’s do this. 90003 90002 Discover thousands of products you can start selling online. No commitment, no credit card required. 90003 90002 Get Oberlo Now. It’s Free. 90003 90016 90017 5 Keys to Success When Working Remotely 90018 90019 90002 Whether you’re completely new to remote work from home, or you have some level of experience, there’s always room for improvement.Here are five things you should address to make sure that you’re setting yourself and your team up for maximum output and minimum madness. 90003 90022 90017 1. Overcommunicate until you find your flow. 90018 90025 90002 When you first dive into remote work from home, there will be a lot of things that need to be clarified — especially if there are several people who need to find a group flow in addition to finding their own personal flow. 90003 90002 And, of course, new needs will pop up that you never expected before.90003 90002 Are you unsure about who will send out the meeting recap email? Ask your team. Have an issue setting up the new project management software? Get help. Afraid that a gap in your kids ‘virtual classes will interrupt that big 2 p.m. meeting? Tell your boss, and try to find a solution together. 90003 90002 I can personally guarantee that you’ll have more issues than you can predict. But when you’re as proactive as possible, you’ll be in a much better position to handle things with stride and to ensure everything goes smoothly.90003 90002 90035 90003 90022 2. Use «playbooks» to keep everyone on the same page. 90025 90002 As you start using new tools and creating new ways of doing things, document them into «playbooks.» Write everything down in a place that’s easily accessible to everyone on the team. This can be in your fancy project management platform or something free and simple like a Google Drive doc or spreadsheet. 90003 90002 When everything is crystal clear in your playbooks, you and your team can be proactive instead of reactive.This means maximum efficiency, instead of constantly going through the same frantic steps of asking and waiting for things to be resolved. 90003 90002 Create as many playbooks as you need, and document as much as possible, including: 90003 90045 90046 The person or role that handles specific types of tasks, projects, and issues 90047 90046 Step-by-step directions for how tasks and projects are completed, delivered, and reported 90047 90046 What do when certain issues arise (document each issue as you identify and tackle them internally) 90047 90046 The protocol for addressing urgent problems, like tech issues 90047 90054 90002 You do not have to be super strict about implementing everything to the T, but having everything laid out in clear detail will help those who need it when they need it.90003 90022 3. Focus on accomplishing goals. 90025 90002 Everyone will need to find their own groove as they learn how to master remote work from home. That means that everyone will naturally vary in how they get things done and how much time they spend on certain tasks. 90003 90002 If you’re managing a team (or even just managing yourself), focus on the end goals and not as much on the path that’s taken to get to those goals. 90003 90002 This leaves leeway when it comes to finding out what works best for each person.It might seem like things are going slower at first, but everyone will thrive with different techniques and habits. Letting people figure out their own path is ultimately the best way to boost efficiency and productivity in the long run. 90003 90002 Of course, you’ll want to make sure people are following playbooks when you have them, but leave some wiggle room to accommodate different personalities. 90003 90067 90002 At most companies, a part of the day becomes «watercooler» time, or time spent socializing outside of work stuff.eIn fact, the watercooler is a sacred place where coworkers can chat, laugh, and get a quick mental break from the day’s to-do lists. 90003 90002 If socializing with your coworkers is something you genuinely enjoy (and not just something you’re forced to endure), try to make sure you still get that team-building time with them. For example, one of my virtual clients actually made a Slack channel called «Watercooler» where we all chat, share articles and memes, and other things that are definitely not part of our job description.90003 90002 This helps us maintain our sense of camaraderie and ensures that we can take our minds off work every now and then when we want some social interaction. 90003 90002 You might even want to consider having a virtual happy hour where everyone brings a drink and catches up via a video conferencing tool like Zoom or Skype. Of course, use your judgment here. Not every workplace is appropriate for a boozy mixer. 90003 90002 90077 90003 90002 Source 90003 90022 5. Pay attention to your workspace.90025 90002 Your workspace can simultaneously be one of the disadvantages and benefits of working remotely. It can be awesome when your commute changes from a 20-minute car or train ride into a 20-second walk from your bed to your desk. 90003 90002 But if you’ve never worked from home before, you might not have all the gear you need to be perfectly comfortable. You might need to work at your kitchen table instead of having a private office. You might need to use a barstool instead of that classy swivel chair your company provided.90003 90002 Even if it’s not ideal, there are ways that you can level-up your workspace to boost your comfort and productivity. At the very least, make sure you’re prioritizing your physical comfort. 90003 90002 Here are a few tips: 90003 90045 90046 90093 Back problems? 90094 Try putting a pillow under your bum, using it as lumbar support at your lower back, or setting up a makeshift standing desk so you’re not sitting all day. 90047 90046 90093 Neck problems? 90094 If your neck hurts from looking down, try propping up your laptop on some books or buying a cheap stand.90047 90046 90093 Declutter your space. Clear off your desk or table so that there are not any immediate distractions. You’ll be surprised at how much this can help. 90094 90047 90054 90016 90017 4 Best Tools for Remote Workers 90018 90019 90002 If you work for a company, chances are that they’ve already laid some groundwork for tools you and your team will use. In some cases, these tools are just an extension of what you used in the office. 90003 90002 But if you’re responsible for managing a team or you’d just like to be more efficient with the people or clients you deal with on a regular basis, check out these awesome tools that can really make a difference in your day-to -day life.90003 90022 1. Videoconferencing tools 90025 90002 If you had regular in-person meetings, it might be tough to quit cold turkey. That’s why so many people are using videoconferencing tools. They’re among the best collaboration tools for remote teams, helping you maintain that sense of cooperation and collaboration even from your own homes. 90003 90002 Plus, most videoconferencing tools include handy features like screen sharing, which lets you easily show others what’s on your screen to walk through presentations or to-do lists.Other features include video recording to send out after calls as well as integrations with your calendar. Some tools like Zoom even have virtual backgrounds if your home workspace is not quite ideal. 90003 90002 Other popular video conferencing tools include: 90003 90022 2. Chat tools 90025 90002 Remote work best practices say to be wary of unnecessary calls. That’s why having real-time chat is one of the best collaboration tools for remote teams — you can still handle issues as they come up but without interrupting each other’s concentration or schedule.90003 90002 Chat tools also help make sure that a five-minute issue does not become a 20-minute call — which you’ve probably experienced the pain of before. 90003 90002 Here are some popular and proven chat tools: 90003 90002 90130 90003 90002 Pro tip: While these tools can be a true blessing, beware of the point when they can become a curse. Some people are magical unicorns who never get distracted by people trying to talk to them all day while they’re in the zone. Most people can not relate to this.90003 90002 Check to see if your tool of choice has a «Do Not Disturb» functionality that turns off your team’s ability to poke you all day long. They’ll see that you’re not available, and you’ll be able to get those messages and loop back with them when it works for you. 90003 90002 Everybody wins. 90003 90022 3. Project management tools 90025 90002 If remote work from home means that you have to change the way you manage tasks and projects, it’s absolutely critical to make sure that everything stays organized and everyone stays accountable for their share.Otherwise, you’re practically asking for important tasks to be forgotten. 90003 90002 This is how project management tools save the day. They allow you to break big projects into the smallest possible building blocks and assign them out to team members with due dates and all the notes they need. 90003 90002 90145 90003 90002 Source 90003 90002 While there are some hardcore project management tools out there (think tools meant for international corporations), they’re not always necessary to get the job done.90003 90002 Here are a few «starter» project management tools to explore: 90003 90022 4. Time trackers 90025 90002 While our previous items showed some of the best collaboration tools for remote teams, time trackers are really for your own benefit (or something you can share with others for their own benefit!). 90003 90002 These tools can be an immense help for staying productive, especially when you’re still learning how to juggle a million other things in your personal life on top of navigating work, too.You can start small with a simple timer, or use a more in-depth tool that can log time for different projects or track a whole team’s output. 90003 90002 One of my favorite simple tips for working remotely is to set a timer in 30-minute increments, and take five- or 10-minute breaks in between. By breaking up a long day into smaller, more digestible chunks, I can stay laser-focused on the task at hand instead of trying to dip my toes into too many things at once. (Or signing into Facebook to scroll mindlessly through my feed.) 90003 90002 Here are a few time-tracking tools for individuals and groups: 90003 90016 90017 Learning How to Work Remotely Is All About Patience 90018 90019 90002 As you’ve probably figured out by now, remote work from home is a completely different beast than what most of us are used to. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or burned out trying to find your own groove, just remember that your experience is completely normal. 90003 90002 The biggest element of the formula is time — you just need to keep trying until you find the guidelines, processes, and tools that work best for you and your team.90003 90002 And if you’re feeling like you’re not being as productive or efficient as you thought you would by now, that’s normal, too! It’s not easy being thrown into the world of working remotely, especially if you have a big list of personal things to take care of on top of it all. 90003 90002 As you write out your daily to-dos, be sure to add «cut myself some slack» to your list. Good luck! 90003 90002 Discover thousands of products you can start selling online. No commitment, no credit card required.90003 90002 Get Oberlo Now. It’s Free. 90003 90016 Want to Learn More? 90019 90181 90002 Amanda Gaid 90003 90002 Amanda Gaid is a digital marketer and copywriter who helps brands create awesome content that drives engagement and better business. As a seasoned digital nomad, her trusty laptop is her best friend. 90003 .90000 How to Ask to Work Remotely: 5 Tips 90001 90002 90003 When an employee knows that they want to work remotely, the next step is figuring out how to get the go-ahead from management. Before approaching leaders, however, thoroughly examine what would be necessary to make such an arrangement successful. 90004 90003 Properly knowing how to ask to work remotely could bring more flexibility and balance to your life. But you must consider multiple perspectives and detail the benefits closely.90004 90007 90008 The following step-by-step guide provides assistance on how to ask to work remotely: 90009 90010 90011 90008 Establish yourself as a top performer. 90009 90014 90003 Bosses often view remote work as a leap of faith. A solid track record boosts their confidence that you’re a diligent worker with the skills and professionalism to maintain high performance without close supervision. Strive to achieve an admirable reputation prior to asking to work remotely, even postponing the conversation until a later time if necessary so more accomplishments can get showcased.90004 90011 90008 Focus on the value to the employer. 90009 90014 90003 «The biggest mistake people make is they frame remote work as a perk for themselves-and second as a benefit for the company,» says Wayne Turmel, co-founder of the Remote Leadership Institute. «Ask anyone why they want to work from home and you’ll hear the usual: no commute, child care or the home situation is easier, fewer interruptions. And those are great for the worker, but why does the CEO care about that? » 90004 90003 If you want to really convince your boss to work remotely, Turmel suggests putting on your sales hat and creating value statements about why permitting remote work is a win-win.For instance, point out something like, «You know that we have trouble getting those reports done in the office because it’s so loud. By letting me have one day a week at home, I can really concentrate. » 90004 90003 In addition to mentioning the improvements to daily operations, do your homework on how remote work might fit into the company’s larger objectives. Businesses concerned about their carbon footprint may find the environmental benefits of telecommuting attractive. Firms touting support of work-life balance may come to see remote work as a way to decrease employee stress.And a company worried about recruitment and retention may be impressed by stats on how flexible arrangements attract a larger, stronger talent pool and boost staff loyalty. 90004 90011 90008 Play devil’s advocate. 90009 90014 90003 If you were your boss, what would your thoughts be if somebody was asking you to work remotely? Consider potential objections and prepare appropriate responses. Maybe the manager had a bad experience with a remote worker in the past. Presenting your stellar track record and discussing your mastery of time management and independent work may convince management to try the arrangement again.Or, if leadership views telecommuting as too much of a hassle, remind them of collaborative tools such as chat platforms and cloud documents that the staff already uses. 90004 90003 Managers often worry how an action may affect the company as a whole, so also think beyond your own role when asking to work remotely. For instance, someone may fear granting your request to telecommute may jumpstart a flood of others. You can gently mention that flexible work has moved beyond the trend stage into an issue all companies need to confront sooner or later.By allowing you to work remotely (at least some of the time), the firm can begin to see what works and what does not based on first-hand experience-and you’d be happy to offer feedback and assist with guideline development. 90004 90011 90008 Suggest a test run. 90009 90014 90003 A manager may be impressed by your presentation but could still have reservations. To convince your boss to work remotely, a trial period allows both of you to work out the kinks and offers the security of an «escape» clause.90004 90003 Besides collaborating on a schedule, examine other issues critical to address from the get-go. These might include: 90004 90043 90044 Communication (i.e., daily check-ins, method of contact, staying available to colleagues) 90045 90044 Equipment needs (especially in terms of technology) 90045 90044 Measurable goals (quantitative «proof» of productivity) 90045 90044 Distribution of hours (set work times vs. emphasis solely on results) 90045 90052 90011 90008 Maintain flexibility yourself.90009 90014 90003 While it’s good to go into a discussion of remote work with a solid idea of ​​what you’d like to have happen, keep expectations in check. For example, a willingness to telecommute two days a week instead of your desired three, to come into the office for certain meetings or trainings, or to submit a detailed weekly to-do list every Monday morning shows commitment to making everyone comfortable with the arrangement . Get the ball rolling, and the momentum may carry you far! 90004 90003 Knowing how to ask to work remotely can be the difference between getting what you want or getting your request turned down.Hopefully you’ll be on the path to working remotely, at least some of the time. And soon your employer should see that it’s a win for both sides. 90004 90003 That said, it should be remembered that some companies prefer an old school mentality that can not be changed. If you’re still looking for remote work, we can help! All of our jobs are fully remote and are with companies that range from startups to household names. 90004 90063 BROWSE THOUSANDS OF REMOTE JOBS >>> 90064 90003 90066 Photo Credit: bigstockphoto.com 90067 90004 90069 90003 90071 By Beth Braccio Hering | July 5, 2019 | Categories: Work Remotely 90072 90004 90069 .90000 The ultimate guide to remote work 90001 90002 Zapier is a 100% distributed company with over 300 remote employees in 17 time zones and 28 countries. Whether you work remotely all the time or you’ve been thrust into it recently, we have tips that will help you thrive. Start with our answers to your remote work FAQs, and then dig deeper below. 90003 90002 90005 Why remote? 90006 Our CEO, Wade Foster, wrote about why Zapier has always been 100% remote. 90007 90003 90009 New to remote work? Download our Suddenly Remote starter kit.90010 90002 We’ve divided our tips for remote work into seven categories. Click on the category you need help with, or scroll down for a list of all of our articles. 90003 90013 90014 Automation for remote work 90015 90014 Teamwork on a remote team 90015 90014 Remote work for managers 90015 90014 Remote work for employees 90015 90014 Remote workspaces 90015 90014 Remote work tools 90015 90014 The state of remote work 90015 90028 90029 90030 Automation for remote work 90031 90002 These articles will give you ideas for how to automate remote work processes.You can use them to streamline your work and stay connected from home. 90003 90030 Teamwork on a remote team 90031 90002 When you’re not sitting a few feet from your coworkers, communication and collaboration do not come as naturally. Here we have tips for how to work together on your remote team. 90003 90030 Remote work for managers 90031 90002 Managing remotely is about building trust and a culture of accountability. Here are some tips for how to manage remote workers. 90003 90030 Remote work for employees 90031 90002 If you’re worried about productivity in remote work, these articles will give you strategies to be sure you’re getting things done when working from home.90003 90030 Remote workspaces 90031 90002 If you’re used to working in an office, working from home can throw you for a loop. Here you can read about how to make your home office-or wherever you’re working-the most productive space possible. 90003 90030 Remote work tools 90031 90002 When working remotely, you’ll need more apps than you’re used to-to stay connected and get things done efficiently. Here are some tips for remote work tools. 90003 90002 90005 Introducing: 90006 Zappy by Zapier, a screenshot tool for macOS that helps your team share what you see in a snap.With easy-to-use annotation tools, Zappy can help you collaborate with your teammates fast. Quickly capture and share screenshots, GIFs, and recordings for free. Learn more about Zappy. 90007 90003 90030 The state of remote work 90031 90002 Remote work is growing in popularity. Read about the state of remote work and how it benefits workers. 90003 90030 Finding remote work 90031 90002 Looking to find a remote work job? Here are some tips to get you going in the right direction. 90003 90029 90009 Recommended reading 90010 90009 Recommended viewing 90010 90002 90073 This video is a recording of an AMA, hosted by Zapier CEO, Wade Foster, about how to transition to remote work in a hurry.You can read the main takeaways in the blog post as well: How to transition to remote work in a hurry 90074 90003 90002 90073 Below, you’ll see the table of contents for our Ultimate Guide to Remote Work here on the Zapier Learning Center. All of the content from that guide is also listed above. 90074 90003 90029 90030 Table of Contents 90031 90013 90014 How to Manage a Remote Team 90015 90014 How to hire a remote team 90015 90014 How to build culture in a remote team 90015 90014 How Successful Remote Teams Evaluate Employees: A Look inside Automattic, GitHub, and Help Scout 90015 90014 How to Build Strong Relationships in a Remote Team 90015 90014 How to Run a Company Retreat for a Remote Team 90015 90014 This is What a Remote Office Looks Like 90015 90014 How to Work Faster in a Remote Team 90015 90014 How to Find Your Optimal Work Environment and Boost Productivity 90015 90014 The pros and cons of working across time zones: What to expect when you work in a distributed company 90015 90014 How to Avoid Burnout in a Remote Team 90015 90014 How to Thrive as an Extrovert on a Remote Team 90015 90014 How to Find and Get Hired for a Remote Job 90015 90014 The remote worker’s toolkit: The 15 tools you need to work remotely 90015 90014 A Special Thanks To Those Who Share: The Best Blog Posts, Articles and Resources on Remote Work 90015 90028 90030 Download this Book 90031 90002 Get this book in a variety of formats, plus other great content from Zapier! 90003 .90000 We Work Remotely | How To Create a Policy For Working Remotely 90001 Follow these five easy steps to build a remote work policy that protects your company and creates a productive, efficient work environment for everyone. 90002 90003 [Image Source] 90004 90002 What’s the working remotely policy like at your company? 90004 90002 Does your company even have a separate remote working policy in place? 90004 90002 With the rise of remote work, companies are shifting their expectations, work hours, preferred methods of communication, and more.But they need to establish these guidelines for employees who may be working in a different country or timezone. 90004 90002 As you’ll learn in this guide, having a separate policy for out-of-the-office team members benefits both employees and employers alike. 90004 90002 Similar to having an in-house office policy, a separate policy for remote workers ensures that everyone is on the same page and understands the company’s expectations. 90004 90002 It creates a standard of fairness whether employees are in the office or working remotely.And it outlines your company’s best remote work practices and guidelines for all new hires. 90004 90002 This sets the tone for a professional work environment even though your staff may be entirely remote. 90004 90002 It also creates a streamlined and efficient process — everyone knows the rules, what they should and should not be doing, and when their work is due. 90004 Let’s talk about these issues more as you learn how to create a working remotely policy for your organization. 90002 Follow this easy process, and you’ll have the first draft of your remote work policy by this afternoon: 90004 90002 90024 Step 1: Decide Who Can Work Remotely 90025 90026 90025 90004 90002 Is your company 100% remote (a.k.a. remote-first)? 90004 90002 Or are you remote-friendly? Do you give in-house employees the option to work remotely every so often? And if so, are all employees eligible for this perk? 90004 90002 Answers to these questions need to be spelled out in your remote work policy to eliminate all gray areas and prevent favoritism or unfair treatment. 90004 90002 So think about what the employees do in each of your departments to see if it makes sense to offer remote work. 90004 90002 90025 Can they complete their tasks remotely without any hiccups? 90004 90002 Will the team collaborate effectively if they’re not in-house? 90004 90002 You may find that a mix of both — remote and in-house employees — works best too.90004 90002 So think about your organizational breakdown and determine which employees may be eligible for remote work. Clearly identify these employees or situations to begin your remote work policy. 90004 90002 90024 Step 2: Discuss Privacy Issues and Equipment Provided 90025 90026 90025 90004 90002 Privacy and security control are far easier when employees are in-house and on your secure server. 90004 90002 As soon as they start working remotely, they’ll need to prove they’re following all your best practices out in the dangerous world of free WiFi and open networks.90004 90002 If a team member shares sensitive information and passwords across public or shared WiFi, they may jeopardize your entire company’s security. They could also put you at risk of a major data breach. 90004 90002 That’s why it’s crucial to include rules about privacy and security information in your remote work policy. 90004 So outline your company policies about WiFi access, sharing important documents and passwords online, and your preferred security tools so employees know exactly what to do.90002 Another point to include in your policy focuses on the equipment remote employees need. 90004 90002 Will your company supply the computer, network setup, or desk? And, if so, can employees use the computer for personal use off-hours? 90004 90002 The answers to these questions must be included in your remote work policy too. 90004 If you do not plan on providing a computer or secure internet access, but you expect both of these from your team members, that also needs to be in your working remotely policy so there’s no confusion.90002 90025 90024 Step 3: Set the Tone for Communication 90025 90026 90025 90004 90002 Communication issues arise if you do not set expectations early on. 90004 90002 To set the tone for your company’s remote communication, answer these questions: 90004 90077 90078 What communication tools will you use? How do these differ when it’s a quick check-in versus a virtual meeting? 90079 90078 What about project management tools? Is there a centralized location where everyone can check-in and see what’s going on at all times? 90079 90078 How often is someone supposed to check-in? Are there weekly meetings? Do employees need to check-in during off-hours like holidays and weekends? 90079 90078 How fast does someone need to respond within normal work hours? What are «regular» business hours anyway? 90079 90086 90002 Do not forget: working hours change with different time zones when you’re dealing with remote employees.90004 90002 So do you expect your team to be available on your company’s timezone? Or can they be flexible as long as they overlap part of your day? 90004 90002 Nail down these items in your remote work policy, and your team will face fewer communication snags as everyone will know what’s expected of them when it comes to staying in touch. 90004 90002 90024 Step 4: Discuss Performance Metrics 90025 90026 90025 90004 90002 Next, you should set expectations when it comes to performance. 90004 90002 Do you have a target number of customer service tickets your team should be tackling per hour? 90004 90002 Or maybe your marketing department needs a certain number of articles or social posts each week.90004 90002 Setting these performance metrics gives remote employees a target to reach, which guides them and keeps them on track. It also gives you a way to hold them accountable. 90004 90002 So think in terms of output here. 90004 What would you expect an in-house employee to produce? Adjust this if needed, factoring in remote issues team members face, and go from there. 90002 90025 90024 Step 5: Consider Legal Compliance 90025 90026 90025 90004 90002 Finally, but just as important as the rest, you need to consider how you’ll legally protect your company and remote team members.90004 90002 After all, just because your employees are not in-house does not mean they do not have the same legal protections. 90004 90002 When it comes to hourly remote workers, how do you plan to track their hours? What happens if they go over 40 hours / week? 90004 90002 If you do not want your remote employees to rack up potential overtime, try setting a schedule with them just like you would with in-house team members. 90004 Then outline this process in your remote work policy. 90002 90125 [Image Source] 90004 90002 Another point to consider is confidentiality, especially client confidentiality.90004 90002 This goes along with protecting your company’s data, but it’s also worth stressing for legal purposes too. 90004 90002 It’s smart to create and add a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to your remote working policy. 90004 90002 You should also make it clear that a remote employee can not be terminated just because of their remote working status. 90004 These are just a few items you can add to your policy. For more detailed help, you may want to consult your company’s legal team for specifics.90002 Having a strong remote work policy ensures that your company’s expectations are clear, and all employees, whether in-house or virtual, are held to the same standards. 90004 90002 One will also protect your company from legal issues if they ever come up in the future. 90004 90002 Tackle these five steps and you’ll have a well-rounded remote work policy — and an efficient, productive, and fair remote work environment too. 90004 90025 90142 Want to add more remote employees to your team? 90143 90142 Click here 90143 90142 to post a job on our remote job board and attract today’s top remote talent! 90143.