While remote and hybrid working have been widespread in the pandemic, they are farfrom a foreign concept for most. Many have worked for years in remote teams ondifferent continents, others have worked for virtual companies or may haveworked from home on a regular basis.
Themajority of people who request remote working do so, so that they can managetheir caring responsibilities better; however, there are a number of otherreasons why one might need or want to work remotely. Technology has enabledremote working for a great number of people over the years.
Mostemployees have been left to 'make it work' and they have not been asked howthey have done so or invited into discussions about how to make mass remote andhybrid working more successful. This is despite the fact that different ways ofworking can be challenging and many employers are still in the early stages ofadapting to change or are even stubbornly resisting it. According to a qualitative survey conducted it revealed some interesting findings.
Respondentswere also asked what helped them cope with isolation at home. The survey foundthat keeping in touch, arranging social interactions outside of work, andsticking to a routine were popular choices.
Itwas no surprise that remote workers said better communication and appreciationwould improve their situation. While 58% felt as valued and listened to asoffice-based employees, the rest mostly didn't or were unsure.
Still,respondents felt they had developed greater skills as a result of theirexperience, including greater discipline and greater awareness of their owncapability. Organizing and planning, having a structure, sticking to yourworking hours, and thinking about alternative forms of social interaction weretheir tips for other remote workers.