Companies must shift to remote work, as it is highly desired by employees. However, there are some difficulties when transitioning to working from home. How can the challenges of home office work be addressed? This article explores that question, as well as some of the issues that arise when switching to remote workplaces.

What are common IT problems when switching to remote working?

There are several issues that can arise during the transition to remote workplaces. Let’s take a look at them:

    1. Remote work and IT issues: Offsite IT support is more difficult than onsite IT support, because the IT specialist has to handle everything remotely, which is not always easy. Employees may provide incorrect information about the IT problem, and remote desktop access can be time-consuming for smaller issues.

    1. IT security problems in the home office: Managing cybersecurity can be more difficult since employees work from home rather than in a controlled environment. They need to be properly trained and informed to prevent security vulnerabilities during remote work.

Are there productivity problems when switching to remote work?

A lot is being said about this topic, and many people keep reporting it incorrectly. Productivity has actually increased since people started working from home. There are many studies on this subject, a few of which I will list below. The transition to home office is not as challenging as people think. In fact, most IT software is now so advanced that all gaps are covered.

Productivity is better, and even without studies, this is an obvious conclusion. When you work in a comfortable environment, in your own workspace with less noise and more freedom to move around and take breaks, you naturally work better and get more done. Another benefit is the elimination of commuting time.

This gives you more time to start your morning rested and relaxed, which in turn leads to greater productivity.

Study on productivity when working remotely

A study published in the Journal of Political Economy examines how remote work affects productivity. The findings suggest that remote work can lead to significant productivity gains, especially when employees have the freedom to design their own work environment and schedule.

The study shows that remote employees tend to demonstrate higher performance levels compared to their office-based counterparts, partly because they spend less time commuting and experience fewer interruptions at work. This study supports the notion that flexible work arrangements can enhance employee efficiency and overall performance.

How do communication problems affect the transition to remote working?

The thing is, companies believe that remote work is completely different from office work, making the adaptation to remote workplaces seem very difficult. The key point, however, is that communication in remote work is exactly the same as in the office, you need to stay in touch with your team and communicate properly. Some companies get overzealous with Zoom meetings, which is really unnecessary. Ten thousand meetings don’t make for better communication. Just like in an office, you need to communicate across multiple channels — and do it well. Companies keep getting this wrong.

One advantage employees appreciate about remote work is that you don’t need those 10,000 meetings and can communicate effectively through other channels like Slack and Telegram. So, use those channels. Stop with the endless meetings — that’s the general consensus smirk.

Dealing with morale and employee engagement during a shift to remote work is also exactly the same as always: give recognition where it’s due, and make sure to discuss growth and challenges openly.

The balance between flexibility and control during a transition to remote work is also not as difficult as people make it out to be. In fact, control is much easier because the employee has a defined workload, and unlike in the office, the work is visible across all platforms and can be verified through timestamps and activity logs. In an office, companies often assume employees are working and don’t check as closely, even when they’re not. So this point is not really a challenge in remote work.

Remote work policy: why it is essential for a successful transition

There are also frequent reports about resistance to remote work. However, this isn’t entirely accurate, as everyone welcomes the opportunity to work from home — even if it’s only in a hybrid position — though most people actually prefer a full-time remote job.

Ensuring data protection during the transition to remote work is extremely important, and Zeitarbeit International knows this better than anyone. We make sure your data privacy remains secure throughout the transition and can support and advise you during the process. Contact us today!