Remote Working
The Paradigm Shift in what constitutes a workplace
The Covid-19 Pandemic has directly accelerated a paradigm shift in what constitutes a workplace, away from traditional offices to Remote Working environments.
Remote Work Policy fast became the new cornerstone of business and economic continuity during the original shelter-in-place regulations. These policies may well continue into the future, particularly since it has now been proven to be not only a necessity, but a workable and successful model. In many other cases, companies are adopting a blended approach to Remote Working, allowing staff the opportunity to work remotely, while requiring in-person meetings when permitted.
Digicel anticipates more adoption of remote work going forward, but primarily using hybrid models, with employees splitting time between home and office for occupations with high remote-work potential. Other companies will rely on co-working spaces to be the forums where staff can get their jobs done. Co-working spaces act as hubs of productivity, community, and technology, offering network connectivity and opportunities to eliminate existing silos within organisations. They can be utilized by a mix of full-time or visiting staff and managers, for companies who wish to downsize existing real estate and facilitate the hybrid model of a permanent location and remote work.
Benefits
• Higher Productivity
Converse to initial expectations, productivity has been seen to increase alongside flexibility offered by remote work. According to one report, 65% of managers surveyed, reported increased overall productivity.
• Cost Savings
Direct cost savings can be immediately realized through decreased overheads for rent, office furniture, and parking. All our research points to significant cost savings by employers per remote worker/year.
• Staff Retention
In a recent survey, nearly 75% of employees suggested that they would leave their jobs for one which offered remote work opportunities. Employees also reported that they were more content and felt more trusted and valued within their adjusted roles.
It is now evident that the Remote Work shift is not temporary, and will become a permanent feature on the work-life scale.
Effectiveness
Not all roles may be effective in a remote working context. For example, insurance agents or administrators can process data and information remotely, but to do their own tasks, an engineer may need to travel to a work site. An accountant can use complex problem-solving skills from home, but an air-traffic controller cannot.
McKinsey research has ranked the top 10 sectors with the highest potential for remote work include the following, shown by share of time spent working remotely:
1. Finance and Insurance
2. Management
3. Professional Services
4. IT and Telecommunications
5. Education
6. Wholesale Trade
7. Real Estate
8. Government and Administrative Support
9. Utilities
10. Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
A Digicel Business solutions expert can show how our Remote Working solutions can benefit your business.
Best Practices
-
Connectivity
Internet (broadband) access will be one of the most important facilities for any work-from-home strategy. Digicel Business has a range of solutions that can be tailored to your own, unique requirements.
- Performance Evaluations
Productivity will be gauged through measurable outputs, not face-time or hours at the desk.
- Communication Forms
Video conferencing and chat groups can be used to keep employees engaged with each other throughout the working day. These options encourage open communications to answer questions and resolve issues in real-time.
- Technical Support
The Information Technology support unit must have the means to securely access and manage remote hardware and apps when technical issues arise. Current tools available in the Cloud can also be used to install and upgrade business applications without time-consuming site visits.
- Digital Mailrooms
Many organisations still process paper as a key part of their operations. Security and privacy will always be a concern, but with digital mailroom options, intelligent software can be used to scan and automatically distribute mail to the correct departments.
• Digital Documents
For many organisations, the task of creating multiple hard copies is behind them. Document management software can be used to save time and reduce the errors associated with having multiple versions of the same information. Version control can be automated and document editing collaboration can be enabled.
Digicel Business Hub
For many traditional businesses, the concept of remote work may be incorrectly perceived as a major obstacle. With current technology, remote work has become a reliable means of keeping employees engaged, connected, supported and productive.
Digicel Business Hub solutions enables organizations to extend network connectivity, security and management services to link remote workers to their office environments, providing access to office resources as if on premises. Our packaged solution options include:
- Connectivity between team members for collaboration from any location
- Digicel end-point protection on authorised devices while in office, or mobile
- Auto attendant phone greeting
- Incoming calls to existing numbers will automatically re-route
- Enablement of unified collaboration, including voice and video
- Voicemail support
- Optional – Toll free number
With a range of service activation approaches available, alongside flexible contract options, a Digicel Business Hub solution can provide the quality, security and governance your organisation needs to ensure your business growth and continuity strategies into the future.