Working from home is widespread nowadays, but it’s still a relatively new phenomenon. Pre-COVID, only 4.1% of the US labor force worked remotely. Now, 42% does. This new model brings benefits to workers and businesses alike in saved costs and increased job satisfaction.
Despite these perks, the newness of the format still brings some growing pains. Employers are struggling to trust employees they can’t physically watch from the office. 69% of managers now feel uncomfortable when communicating with remote employees. As a way of regaining control, some have resorted to micromanaging their team to the employees’ detriment. 1 in 5 employees think micromanagement is the most stressful aspect of working from home. It dampens morale and productivity, leading workers to consider finding a new job.
How can managers establish better trust with their team? The first step is to communicate with them. Make sure your expectations are known while also encouraging employees to be transparent about their needs while at work. The next thing to consider is reevaluating how you measure employee engagement. Productivity is a better indicator than hourly labor for most remote jobs. Finally, artificial intelligence can help maintain open communication while saving time on both ends.
Source: TrackTime24.com